Many inhabitants of Massachusetts are affected by homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, since 2007 Massachusetts has been experiencing the highest increase in family homelessness in the nation. The National Low-Income Housing Coalition found that 13.7 percent of the Massachusetts population lives below the poverty line as the housing wage has been steadily increasing which has now reached $33.91 an hour, well over the Massachusetts minimum wage. With this, many families and individuals face the burden of trying to maintain stable, affordable housing, on top of other financial concerns. Fortunately, there are several shelters and organizations in the Boston area that work to combat this problem and aid persons experiencing homelessness. But it is no question that sometimes all their needs are not met. Our mission is to assist these shelters and organizations by providing donations and resources they need most. Although we are not solving the underlying issues of homelessness, we aim to ease the burden and change the lives of those we help.
Greenberg, Z. (2020, January 31). A dubious Distinction: Massachusetts ranks first in growth of family homelessness - The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 03, 2021, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/01/28/opinion/dubious-distinction-massachusetts-ranks-first-growth-family-homelessness/
A Boston based community service organization that focuses on providing those experiencing homelessness with specific needs depending on the time of year such as clothing, blankets, feminine hygiene products, and so much more.
Founded by Monica Shipman in September of 2020, we are a group who wish to provide for the Boston community, specifically those who are experiencing homelessness and unstable housing.
Monica Shipman
Founder/President
Dayna Francis
Vice President
Maxine Hsiung
Secretary
Emmanuel Messele
Treasurer
Arieta Haskaj
Marketing
Raquel Joseph
Tech
Islam
Tech
Stay tuned for a new event coming fall 2023!
Wellness Bag Event May 6, 2023
Volunteers constructed “wellness bags” consisting of 4-5 pairs of socks, 2-3 pairs of underwear, water, snacks, and an emergency blanket. On May 6, 2023 we walked around the greater Boston area and handed the bags out to those experiencing homelessness. Feminine products were available to those who needed them.
THTG x OVP
On October 27, 2022, in partner with students of Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine through the Outreach Van Project (https://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/student-affairs/student-life/service-learning/outreach-van-project-2/), we provided blankets, canned goods, fresh fruit, meals, toiletries, and more to those in need in the East Boston area.
MBTA Passes for Bay Cove
In July of 2022 we supplied Bay Cove Human Services, Inc. (baycovehumanservices.org) with 60 pre-loaded T-Passes for their residents to get to and from appointments. Bay Cove provides services for those facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, homelessness, aging-related needs and/or drug and alcohol addiction.
Wellness Bag Event April 2, 2022
In partner with Swipes for Boston, we were able to make 50 bags each containing: underwear, socks, masks, hand sanitizer, chap sticks, water, and snacks. We also had menstrual products available for anyone who needed them courtesy of PeriodatBU.
We started at kenmore, and ended the day at St. Francis House, where we dropped off the extra supplies we had.
Bedding for St. Mary’s
Summer of 2021 we supplied St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children with pillows, sheets, and comforters for the upcoming winter season. St. Mary’s offers innovative and family-centered programs for women and children who have experienced trauma and are living in poverty.
Feminine Products for Casa Myrna
In April of 2021, in collaboration with the Period Club at Boston University, we donated over 1500 feminine products to Casa Myrna casamyrna.org Boston’s largest provider of domestic violence awareness efforts and of shelter and supportive services to survivors through three residential programs, housing assistance, and more.
MBTA Passes for Bay Cove
In March of 2021 we supplied Bay Cove Human Services, Inc. (baycovehumanservices.org) with 41 pre-loaded T-Passes for their residents to get to and from appointments. Bay Cove provides services for those facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, homelessness, aging-related needs and/or drug and alcohol addiction.
Hoodie Drive for Boston Rescue Mission
From December 2020 to January 2021 we were able to collect about 100 hoodies to donate to Boston Rescue Mission, an emergency overnight shelter that also offers sober living and life growth shelter communities (www.brm.org). We partnered with Washloft Inc., a local laundry service (www.washloft.com) to have the hoodies washed before being delivered to the shelter. We were so excited to be able to do this, especially during this cold, Boston winter season.
To learn more about us or to join you can email us at thtgives1@gmail.com. To keep up with our events check out our website. Social media coming soon.