Black Friday. Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday
Just because you don’t have a home, it doesn’t mean you've given up hope for the future. In fact, the majority of people we care for never intended to end up waiting in line at a shelter for a bed and a meal. The idea of not having any where to live is not only frightening, but paralyzing.
On any given night in Massachusetts, there are 21,000 people who struggle with homelessness; about 16,000 are children. Last year, Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) assisted almost 5,000 households, including 500 veterans and 300 families, across the South Shore in ending their struggle with homelessness. Sheila, a mother of 5 children, needed help getting an education. Mark, a veteran, was laid off and unable to pay bills. Megan, a mother of two, was diagnosed with cancer and on her own. With help from Father Bill's & MainSpring and generous donations from members of the community, they were able to get back on their feet. Scroll down to read the full stories.
We are proud of these results, but with your help, we can and need to do so much more.
We are reaching out to personally ask you to help the thousands of people across the region who have nowhere to sleep tonight by making a gift on #GivingTuesday.
#GivingTuesday was launched four years ago by the 92nd Street Y and the UN Foundation to provide a philanthropic alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday by kicking off the holiday season with a celebration of giving. This year, we need your support more than ever to provide our most vulnerable neighbors with a place to call home.
Here’s how your contributions can really make a difference for the people in our care:
Being homeless doesn’t mean hopeless. We can help. Thank you for your support!
Best Wishes,
John Yazwinski
President & CEO
Sheila's Story
A Self-Motivated Mother of Five, Pursuing Her Dream Career
“I am one of the lucky ones. Why? Father Bill's & MainSpring. They helped me to fulfill my goals and also start living out my dreams.”
From a young age, Sheila had dreamed of a career in cosmetology; it was a passion that she wanted to fulfill. Sheila met our Family Workforce Development program to get back on the path to her dream. With the help of an employment specialist she was enrolled in HiSet classes to get her GED. Sheila was a busy young woman: attending classes, working three jobs and raising her five sons. After a few attempts, she received her GED.
Her next step was to enroll in a cosmetology program which she was able to find at a local community college. During her time in the cosmetology program, her determination and will power led her to be a straight “A” student. Sheila graduated with her esthetician license, cosmetology license and nail certificate. Sheila and her sons are in the process of securing a new apartment; together they are going to continue to push forward to achieve all of their dreams.
Mark's Story
A Veteran, Laid off from his job of 12 Years, Needed Help Getting Back on his Feet
“Father Bill’s & MainSpring gives people hope that it’s not the end, that there is life after having to be in a shelter. You can make a life, rebuild yourself again, they support that in any way possible.”
After 12 years at one company, Mark was laid off from his job. He pictured himself retiring from his former employer and enjoying his retirement. Instead, Mark tried to apply for unemployment; however, his lay off led to a loss of transportation and housing. With nowhere to go, Mark found his way to MainSpring House, our shelter in Brockton.
At first, Mark felt scared to death. He knew about our shelter; he wasn’t aware of all the other services Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) had to offer. Within a week, Mark met with our veterans’ liaison who listened to him and his needs. The veterans’ liaison helped Mark get connected to the resources he needed and to the VA in Jamaica Plain. At the VA, Mark spoke with a gentleman about getting employment. Mark expressed a desire to go to culinary school; the next day he went to an interview with the New England Center for Arts and Technology in Boston where he was immediately enrolled in their program.
Mark had been told about a permanent supportive housing for veterans’ opportunity while staying in a shelter. After three months, Mark was able to move into this property along with five other veterans. Fortunately, this property was close to one of the commuter rail. He was able to commute to and from school. At the NE Center for Arts and Technology, Mark graduated at the top of his class. He is pursuing his dream in the culinary world.
Megan's Story
A Mother of Two, Diagnosed with Cancer
“Life with FBMS has become less stressful. This Christmas my boys said it was the best Christmas ever. I agree. So glad to have FBMS.”
After 23 years of marriage, Megan’s husband walked out on her and their two young boys. She had recently been diagnosed with cancer; it had spread through parts of her body and required surgery. Megan’s life had taken a few unexpected turns; her greatest fear was that she and her boys would become homeless.
One day, she came across an article about an upcoming lecture on preventing homelessness. She attended the lecture and stayed afterwards to speak more in-depth with the presenter. After learning more about her story, the speaker took her information and promised to follow up with her that week.
Megan was connected with Father Bill’s & MainSpring. She frequently met with a case manager to help her navigate the best way to get her family back on their feet. After many months, Megan was told she qualified for subsidized rent; she and her sons were able to move into an apartment managed by Father Bill’s & MainSpring. We were also able to help her get set up in her new apartment with the basics she and her boys needed and even helped to provide some gifts for the family around the holidays. Further, Megan was able to receive the life-saving surgery she had needed. Together, Megan and her family were getting back to their new normal.
