Announcements

 LT. GOVERNOR SERVING LUNCH TO SPRINGFIELD’S HOMELESS

SPRINGFIELD – Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray will be focusing on the problem of homelessness in Western Massachusetts Tuesday, August 24, 2010. The Lieutenant Governor will tour the newly constructed Friends of the Homeless Resource Center, serve lunch in the FOH dining room and meet with the Western Massachusetts Regional Network to End Homelessness.

Shortly after taking office, the Patrick-Murray Administration committed $2 million dollars to the Resource Center Project during one of their first official trips to Springfield. Today, the Resource Center at 755 Worthington Street is nearing completion and renovation of the existing shelter at 769 Worthington Street is underway. The $12.5 million project signifies not only a commitment to the city’s poorest citizens, but a comprehensive approach to solving the problem of homelessness. When completed this fall, Friends of the Homeless will offer coordinated services including a DPH certified medical and dental clinic, emergency sheltering and meals, and 32 additional permanent low-income housing units for single adult men and women.

FOH prepares and serves an average of 150 people three meals a day, seven days a week in its dining room. The small kitchen staff relies on the generosity of volunteers to assist them. Lt. Governor Murray made time in his schedule to lend a hand Tuesday. He is no stranger to the issue. The Lt. Governor chairs the Commonwealth’s Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness. Earlier in his career he worked as a homeless advocate while attending Western New England Law School.