Friends of the Homeless unveils new facility
November 15, 2010 at 1:25 PM
WGGB
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- About four years into a 10-year plan to end homelessness, the City of Springfield seems to be well on its way. Friday, Friends of the Homeless showed off a new facility.
If you looked quickly, you would see that there are 32 more apartments for the homeless, bringing their total to 107, and that is impressive, but you would be missing so much else that's happening.
"We want to help people find the services they need to get back on their feet. I mean, that's the ultimate goal," said Bill Miller, executive director of Friends of the Homeless. Historically that search has been a scavenger hunt - shelter here, a meal there, medical services a crap shoot, and real assistance finding work? don't even ask.
Miller adds, "Imagine waking up in the morning, all your possessions are in one plastic bag and it's 7:00 a.m., and the shelter tells you 'go ahead, walk off down the road,' you have everything we can do for you. We've changed that model."
With $12.5 million worth of renovations and a gleaming new facility, Friends of the Homeless can offer not just more shelter space, but meals, medical & dental, and case workers to help individuals find their way, all under one roof.
That strategy includes housing, not just shelter. The old approach was like a mother bird dropping her hatchlings from the nest before they can fly. This facility is the most comprehensive of its kind in New England, giving the homeless wings to fly on their own.
With 70 percent fewer homeless on Springfield streets since 2007, it appears this road less traveled is making all the difference. Juan Machicote, a tenant at Friends of the Homeless says, "I can see the changing that the whole system is doing now. Before, it was kind of pessimistic but now, like I said, they are working, and I've got faith in the Lord that everything's going to be okay."
A couple of other improvements include a new women's shelter, as well as air conditioning in the existing men's shelter.
To watch the video story follow this link:
http://www.wggb.com/Global/story.asp?S=13505374
Kathy Tobin
After almost thirty years covering the news for television affiliates in Western Massachusetts, Kathy joined Friends of the Homeless in the fall of 2009 to help raise money and the profile of the organization to fulfill its mission. As Director of Development, Kathy is available to help you understand the work we are doing and how you might contribute to end homelessness in our community.