Spare Change News

Author: Liam Cunningham

  • No Room in the Inn

    Since the 1980s, motels have been the place where homeless families with nowhere to turn have been placed. When the state’s emergency shelter system hits capacity, the motels have served to house struggling families and individuals. These motel stints are paid for by taxpayers (nearly $45 million total in the 2012). While nearly everyone involved…

  • Joe Finn: Executive Director, Massachusetts Homeless Shelter Alliance

    “I have always fundamentally believed that the issue of homelessness needs to be addressed. And all of my life’s work has been focused on what we can do to end it and meet these people’s needs.”—Joe Finn For Joe Finn, devoting his life’s work to helping the needy has always made sense. Coming from a…

  • Re-Seeding Boston

    The Boston Gardener in Dudley Square is a hot spot for urban gardeners in Boston and is revitalizing it’s surrounding neighborhood. Thinking of gardening in the context of the Greater Boston area, many people’s minds might first gravitate towards soccer moms and parents working in the front yards of their suburban home on a weekend…

  • The End of an Era: James Shearer Stepping Down as Spare Change Board President

    By Liam Cunningham SPARE CHANGE NEWS A long chapter in the history of Spare Change News will come to a close late this year, when co-founder James Shearer will be stepping down as Board President. Shearer, who has been involved with the paper in a variety of roles since its inception in 1992, has decided…

  • Cradles to Crayons: Getting Essentials to Homeless and Low-income Children

    Liam Cunningham Spare Change News It all began during a typical holiday trip to Michigan, where Lynn Margherio travels nearly every winter to visit her family. During the trip, Margherio was struck with an eye-opening realization while helping her young niece get dressed. “I was helping my niece get dressed and was pulling things from…

  • When the best answer to life’s problems is a steady job

    Liam Cunningham Spare Change News As many recent college graduates can tell you, finding a job in the current economy is no walk in the park. This process is exponentially harder when you are a person who has struggled with homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and/or substance abuse issues. At the St. Francis House in downtown…

  • Jeffrey Powers – Vendor Profile

    Liam Cunningham Spare Change News Many of Spare Change’s vendors have creative passions that define their personalities. Mark Montgomery, last issue’s featured vendor, was a singer. Jeffrey Power’s creative expressions come in the form of artwork. Powers, one of Spare Change’s newest vendors, began selling Spare Change newspapers around two months ago, drawn to the…

  • Disunion in Union Square: Controversy Heats Up Somerville Neighborhood

    Liam Cunningham Spare Change News A positive redevelopment project? Or a textbook case of harmful gentrification? This is the central question driving a debate in Somerville that has created a stark division of opinion between residents, community organizers, politicians, attorneys, and landowners involved with the issue. The issue revolves around a proposed renovation project to…

  • “Voices and Visions 2011: Art by and for the Children”

    This past Wednesday, over 1,000 people attended the Home for Little Wanderers annual Voices and Visions fundraiser. Held at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, the highly successful event attracted some of Boston’s most influential people to view stunning art displays and donate to the organization. The Home for Little Wanderers is an organization…

  • The New York City Rescue Mission

    Open since 1872, New York City Rescue Mission is the oldest organisation in the US to provide help to those who are struggling with homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse. Today, it offers 100 beds – 29 for long-term residents -, meals, clothing and medical assistance. In 1872, McCully founded the New York City Rescue…