mbhp UPDATE - Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership

Meet Our All-MBHP Marathon Team!
F
or the seventh year running,
MBHP will have four runners
competing in the 2013 Boston
Marathon on April 15. This year’s
marathon is particularly special to
MBHP. All four of our 2013 Marathon
slots are filled by MBHP staff and
family. Jesse Edsell Vetter, Carolyn
Edsell Vetter (Jesse’s wife), Hannah
Lodi, and Katharine Kaplan make
up the dynamic team. MBHP’s
marathon slots are made possible
through the generosity of the John
Hancock Boston Marathon NonProfit Program.
The team’s captain, Jesse EdsellVetter, is a veteran of past MBHP
Marathon teams, but feels especially
strong about this one. “This year’s
MBHP Boston Marathon team is
particularly exciting because this is
the first time that we have had an
all-MBHP team,” said Jesse. “I think
that as members of the MBHP family,
we are so intimately connected with
the impact of the fundraising on
our programs that it is easier to stay
motivated as we train this winter.”
Not only will Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine train and run
26.2 grueling miles on behalf of
MBHP, they will raise at least $5,000
each to prevent homelessness and
place individuals and families in
safe, affordable housing.
Our MBHP athletes honor us
every day with the work they do
to support Greater Boston’s most
vulnerable residents. By running this
race, they are stretching themselves
and their resources. Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine need all of
us to help them meet their marathon
fundraising goals—please help Team
MBHP raise a roof through the 2013
Boston Marathon.
All members of Team MBHP will
be running in honor of Mary Doyle
and will wear her initials on their
Marathon singlet.
To donate to Team MBHP, go to
our website and click on the How to
Help button. You can also learn about
opportunities to sponsor the team by
contacting Mary Jo Kane at (617)
425-6705 or [email protected].
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
SPRING 2013
T
Lowell Richards Fellowship Kicks Off Inaugural Year
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
T
his spring, MBHP is establishing
The Lowell L. Richards, III
Fellowship for Leadership and Public
Service to honor founding member
of our Board of Directors, and
Co-chair, Lowell L. Richards, III,
recognizing his twenty-nine year
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven J. Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
dedication to MBHP’s mission and
continuing his legacy of leadership
and public service.
In its inaugural year, the Fellowship will encourage young leaders
to pursue a career in public service,
specifically in urban development
and issues related to affordable
housing. Lowell personified the
impact one individual can make to
transform the footprint of a region,
the outlook of a city, and the future
for millions of individuals and families
over generations. For the first year of
the Fellowship, the Fellow will be
chosen from mentors of the DREAM
Project, a youth mentoring program
Lowell was passionate about.
continued on back cover
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Clerk, Citi
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
Lowell Richards Fellowship (continued from front cover)
Jesse Edsell-Vetter
Carolyn Edsell-Vetter
Hannah Lodi
Katharine Kaplan
Welcome New Board Members!
W
e at MBHP are proud of our
talented and dedicated Board
of Directors, who routinely go above
and beyond to help MBHP make
housing safe and affordable for more
Massachusetts residents. In the last
several months, there has been an
infusion of new, energetic blood to
MBHP’s Board. Patrick Centanni
joined us from State Street Corporation in September, where he is
Executive VP of Global Management
at State Street Global Services.
Mary-Anne Morrison, who joined
us in December, recently retired
from the state’s Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD) where she ran the
Section 8 voucher program since its
inception. Janet Frazier joined
MBHP’s Board in December and is
the President/CEO of Maloney
Properties. Charles Smith also
joined in December, and is currently
5
Vice-President SBA Specialist at
Eastern Bank. Our most recent
addition, Peter Munkenbeck, who
runs his own consulting firm,
Munkenbeck Consulting, and regularly works with affordable housing
and community-based organizations,
joined in March. We look forward
to working with these talented and
eager new faces, as they join the
veteran members of our dynamic
and active Board of Directors.
Michael Foote, Lowell’s nephew
and one of DREAM’s founders, is
overjoyed by DREAM’s participation
in the Fellowship. It was Lowell,
after all, who provided mentorship
to Michael and helped him launch
the fledgling organization. “Lowell
believed in DREAM’s mission, which
is to provide mentors and new
opportunities for some of the most
vulnerable youth in Boston,” says
Foote. “My hope is that through this
Fellowship and by drawing on
DREAM college student mentors
who have a passion for social justice,
affordable housing, and urban
development, we can continue
Lowell’s work in mentoring young
civically-minded leaders.”
The 2013 Lowell Richards Fellow
will be hosted by The Massachusetts
Port Authority (Massport) and
assigned to the Economic Planning
and Development Department,
where Lowell Richards was Director
for over ten years. “Lowell was a
visionary leader, city builder, and
dedicated to public service,” says Jim
Doolin, acting Chief Development
officer at Massport. “He brought
boundless energy and intellect to
projects and was a creative problemsolver. We are very pleased to be the
host site for the first fellow of the
Lowell Richards Fellowship.”
Karen Richards, Lowell’s wife,
has been heavily involved in the
conception of the Fellowship and is
grateful her husband’s legacy will
6
live on through assisting in the
education and career of students.
“The thing Lowell cared most about
in the world was helping young
people,” says Karen.“If there was a
young person in the room, he
wanted to know them, listen to
them, and encourage them. Through
the Fellowship, Lowell has brought
MBHP, Massport, and DREAM
together to launch the next generation of ‘bright young leaders’ in
public service.”
After this inaugural year working
with DREAM mentors, future Lowell
Richards Fellowships will be focusing
on expanding career opportunities
for aspiring young adults who have
benefited from MBHP services.
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
Patrick Centanni, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Janet Frazier, Maloney Properties, Inc.
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley C. Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Mary-Anne Morrison
Peter Munkenbeck, Munkenbeck Consulting
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson LLP
Mary E. Doyle (August 25, 1956–February 23, 2013)
T
he entire MBHP community is
deeply saddened by the passing
of Mary Doyle, MBHP’s Director of
Policy, Development, and External
Relations, who died peacefully at
home on February 23. Mary joined
MBHP in 2003, and for almost ten
years she shared with us her commit­
ment and passion for families affected
by poverty, housing instability, and
homelessness. Mary dedicated her
professional life to ending family
homelessness, and in addition to
her work at MBHP she served on
numerous committees and boards
including the Citizens’ Housing and
Planning Association (CHAPA),
Housing Corporation of Arlington,
Travelers Aid Family Services, and
Rosie’s Place. She was a generous
leader, a beloved colleague, and
friend. For MBHP, Mary lives on in
every family and individual who has
found safe, stable housing due in no
small part to her dedication.
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related information, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
RAFT Program Revitalized
T
his past fall, MBHP began administering the state’s revitalized
RAFT (Residential Assistance for
Families in Transition) program, which
had lain near dormant for the last few
years. This homelessness prevention
program provides families with the
financial support necessary to become
(or remain) stably housed during a
period of financial crisis. Eligible
families can receive up to a maximum
of $4,000 within a 12-month period.
So far, the response has been
overwhelming. More than 560
families in MBHP’s region have
already received RAFT assistance,
with families getting an average of
$2,240 in financial support (totaling
more than $1,230,000).
“RAFT has been an extremely
effective tool of MBHP’s Housing
Consumer Education Center,” says
MBHP’s Assistant Director of Client
Services Kate Fulton. “Our streamlined referral and intake system
allows for a program that is responsive to our community partner
organizations, landlords and, most
importantly, to the families whose
housing we are seeking to stabilize.”
Fulton reports that since the start
of the program in August of 2012, it
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
has prevented 396 families from
becoming homeless and has also
re-housed 170 homeless families into
new and stable housing.
The large majority of RAFT
funds are used to assist families who
are behind on rent and in imminent
danger of eviction. Approximately
70% of families have used the funds
for eviction prevention (paying back
rent/arrears). Start-up costs such as
security deposits and first/last
month rent represent 25% of the
families, and 5% of families have
used the support for moving costs
and furnishing their apartment.
Meeting the needs of the
growing number of eligible families
has proven to be a daunting task.
The large number of residents
inquiring about RAFT on a daily
basis underscores the massive
amount of need many families face
in this difficult housing market.
Thankfully, the staff at MBHP is up
to the challenge.
MBHP accepts referrals for
financial assistance from community
partners. Families can also call
our Resource Line at (617) 425-6700
for additional assistance and
information.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
A
t MBHP, we rely on private
funding to provide the com­
prehensive support services that
vulnerable families and individuals
need to remain stable in their
homes and communities. It also
allows us to address gaps in service
and pilot new and innovative
initiatives to combat homelessness
and increase housing stability
throughout Greater Boston.
Eastern Bank and Eastern
Bank Charitable Foundation have
championed our efforts to ensure
that everyone in Greater Boston has
a place to call home, and we are
proud to highlight our partnership
with them. Eastern Bank and the
Foundation provide a myriad of
support for MBHP’s programs and
services, including sponsorship of
our Annual Founders Celebration,
awarding us a grant for our Housing
Supports Programs, and by participating on our Board of Directors.
“Eastern Bank is proud to
support the Metropolitan Boston
Housing Partnership,” says Robert
DiGiovanni, Senior Vice President,
Eastern Bank. “Our mission is to
contribute in a meaningful way to the
health and vitality of the various
eastern Massachusetts communities
served by Eastern Bank Corporation.”
Last fiscal year, MBHP was
privileged to receive a Partnership
Grant from the Eastern Bank
Another Successful Year for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Charitable Foundation for our
Housing Supports Programs. Over
the past several years, the Foundation has made a meaningful impact
on the issue of homelessness. We
share a belief in the importance of
helping disadvantaged populations
obtain the support and the skills
they need to be successful, as well
as to ensure that all residents have
access to vital services, including
decent and affordable housing.
“Our focus is to support organizations, such as MBHP, that provide
services to the underserved and
neediest members of our commu-
Annie is one of 15,000 households
benefitting from MBHP’s privately-funded
Housing Supports Programs. Eastern
Bank has been a generous supporter of
these programs.
nity,” adds DiGiovanni. “In 2011,
the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation targeted homelessness and
homelessness prevention as a key
area in need of support. We commend MBHP’s efforts to provide
affordable housing solutions to
those in need.”
With Eastern Bank’s support, our
Housing Supports Programs assist
residents in stabilizing their housing,
teach them the skills needed to
maintain a stable tenancy, and provide
them with the support necessary to
improve their eco­nomic outcomes.
Eastern Bank was also a generous supporter of our 5th Annual
Founders Celebration, which was
held last November. This event
honors the accomplishments of our
partners, celebrates their commitment to creating and preserving
affordable housing in Greater
Boston, and raises funds for our
programs. In addition to sponsoring
the event, John Marston, Senior Vice
President, Commercial Banking,
Eastern Bank was a member of the
Leadership Committee, and with
his support, this event raised more
than $100,000.
In addition to these efforts,
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank’s Vice
President SBA Specialist, has joined
our Board of Directors. He lends his
vision, guidance, and support to
help us achieve our mission.
O
n the evening of Thursday,
January 17, at Merengue Restaurant in Roxbury, MBHP proudly
honored and celebrated the 2012
graduates of its Family Self-Sufficiency
(FSS) program.
Giving the keynote address of
the evening was Geeta Pradhan,
Associate Vice-President for Programs at The Boston Foundation.
The Boston Foundation has become
a valuable partner with MBHP in
expanding the FSS program to
families living in the neighborhoods
along the Fairmount Corridor. “I’m
sure many times over the course of
this program you doubted yourself
and thought of giving up,” Ms.
Pradhan told the graduates. “But you
didn’t. You persisted. You bettered
yourself through education, job
training, and the goals you set for
yourself. You’ve created a pathway
for your children, your family
members, your neighbors, and
awoken in them the possibility of
something they thought they could
never do. The money you saved is
wonderful, but the permanent thing
you gained is the belief in yourself
that you can do it. That’s what will
last and will carry over.”
Lawanda Myrick, one of several
graduates from Dorchester, has just
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE OCTOBER 2012
The Boston Foundation: $100,000 in support of our Family Self-Sufficiency Program Fairmount Initiative
Oak Foundation: $158,480 in support of our Hoarding Intervention and Tenancy Preservation Program
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
home ownership opportunities.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
Linde Family Foundation: $10,000 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
The RAFT program is administered by MBHP’s Housing Consumer Education Center,
whose staff includes (l to r): Vroselyn Benjamin, Matthew Gibson, Kate Fulton,
Malcolm Lucas, Keila Lopez, Kate Jordan, Amy Mullen, Jamila Aden, Regine Chrispin
2
Citi: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs: Housing to Home Initiative
People’s United Community Foundation: $7,500 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
3
State Representative Russell Holmes
congratulates one of his constituents,
Lawanda Myrick, at the FSS Graduation.
Members of MBHP’s 2012 FSS graduation class celebrated with a reception at Merengue
restaurant in Roxbury.
completed the program after six
years and is now looking towards
buying a home. “At the time I started
FSS, I was young and not really
thinking about future goals,” says
Lawanda, “but I set goals and
worked on them for the last six years
and now I’m graduating, and I have
more confidence now. If I didn’t
have FSS, I never would have taken
any credit repair trainings, or homeownership classes. I’m in a much
better situation now.” She plans on
using the escrow money on a down
payment for her first home.
Speaking at the event to honor
the graduates was Representative
Russell Holmes (6th Suffolk) who
heaped praise and advice on the 19
graduates of the FSS program, which
connects families who have Section
8 Rental Assistance with resources
and support services to help build
assets, enhance educational and
career opportunities, and move
toward economic independence.
“I want to say congratulations
to you all because I know how
difficult it is to complete this pro-
4
gram,” said Holmes. “What I can
tell you is that everything in life is a
step, and it’s great to have MBHP
and the FSS program helping you
to understand the steps toward
success. Your success makes it so
that other folks behind you believe
that it’s possible.”
FSS program participants work
with an MBHP staff member who
assists with needs such as credit
repair, transportation, educational
workshops, and job training.
Participants who are employed have
the opportunity to benefit from
funds that are set aside in their
own escrow account based on the
difference between their starting
and increased incomes. Graduates
from the program receive their
escrowed money, which most often
is used toward home ownership
or higher education. Currently there
are 330 participants enrolled in the
program. The average increase in
yearly income for FSS participants
is $13,382 and the average amount
in participants’ escrow account
is $8,972.
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related information, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
RAFT Program Revitalized
T
his past fall, MBHP began administering the state’s revitalized
RAFT (Residential Assistance for
Families in Transition) program, which
had lain near dormant for the last few
years. This homelessness prevention
program provides families with the
financial support necessary to become
(or remain) stably housed during a
period of financial crisis. Eligible
families can receive up to a maximum
of $4,000 within a 12-month period.
So far, the response has been
overwhelming. More than 560
families in MBHP’s region have
already received RAFT assistance,
with families getting an average of
$2,240 in financial support (totaling
more than $1,230,000).
“RAFT has been an extremely
effective tool of MBHP’s Housing
Consumer Education Center,” says
MBHP’s Assistant Director of Client
Services Kate Fulton. “Our streamlined referral and intake system
allows for a program that is responsive to our community partner
organizations, landlords and, most
importantly, to the families whose
housing we are seeking to stabilize.”
Fulton reports that since the start
of the program in August of 2012, it
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
has prevented 396 families from
becoming homeless and has also
re-housed 170 homeless families into
new and stable housing.
The large majority of RAFT
funds are used to assist families who
are behind on rent and in imminent
danger of eviction. Approximately
70% of families have used the funds
for eviction prevention (paying back
rent/arrears). Start-up costs such as
security deposits and first/last
month rent represent 25% of the
families, and 5% of families have
used the support for moving costs
and furnishing their apartment.
Meeting the needs of the
growing number of eligible families
has proven to be a daunting task.
The large number of residents
inquiring about RAFT on a daily
basis underscores the massive
amount of need many families face
in this difficult housing market.
Thankfully, the staff at MBHP is up
to the challenge.
MBHP accepts referrals for
financial assistance from community
partners. Families can also call
our Resource Line at (617) 425-6700
for additional assistance and
information.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
A
t MBHP, we rely on private
funding to provide the com­
prehensive support services that
vulnerable families and individuals
need to remain stable in their
homes and communities. It also
allows us to address gaps in service
and pilot new and innovative
initiatives to combat homelessness
and increase housing stability
throughout Greater Boston.
Eastern Bank and Eastern
Bank Charitable Foundation have
championed our efforts to ensure
that everyone in Greater Boston has
a place to call home, and we are
proud to highlight our partnership
with them. Eastern Bank and the
Foundation provide a myriad of
support for MBHP’s programs and
services, including sponsorship of
our Annual Founders Celebration,
awarding us a grant for our Housing
Supports Programs, and by participating on our Board of Directors.
“Eastern Bank is proud to
support the Metropolitan Boston
Housing Partnership,” says Robert
DiGiovanni, Senior Vice President,
Eastern Bank. “Our mission is to
contribute in a meaningful way to the
health and vitality of the various
eastern Massachusetts communities
served by Eastern Bank Corporation.”
Last fiscal year, MBHP was
privileged to receive a Partnership
Grant from the Eastern Bank
Another Successful Year for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Charitable Foundation for our
Housing Supports Programs. Over
the past several years, the Foundation has made a meaningful impact
on the issue of homelessness. We
share a belief in the importance of
helping disadvantaged populations
obtain the support and the skills
they need to be successful, as well
as to ensure that all residents have
access to vital services, including
decent and affordable housing.
“Our focus is to support organizations, such as MBHP, that provide
services to the underserved and
neediest members of our commu-
Annie is one of 15,000 households
benefitting from MBHP’s privately-funded
Housing Supports Programs. Eastern
Bank has been a generous supporter of
these programs.
nity,” adds DiGiovanni. “In 2011,
the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation targeted homelessness and
homelessness prevention as a key
area in need of support. We commend MBHP’s efforts to provide
affordable housing solutions to
those in need.”
With Eastern Bank’s support, our
Housing Supports Programs assist
residents in stabilizing their housing,
teach them the skills needed to
maintain a stable tenancy, and provide
them with the support necessary to
improve their eco­nomic outcomes.
Eastern Bank was also a generous supporter of our 5th Annual
Founders Celebration, which was
held last November. This event
honors the accomplishments of our
partners, celebrates their commitment to creating and preserving
affordable housing in Greater
Boston, and raises funds for our
programs. In addition to sponsoring
the event, John Marston, Senior Vice
President, Commercial Banking,
Eastern Bank was a member of the
Leadership Committee, and with
his support, this event raised more
than $100,000.
In addition to these efforts,
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank’s Vice
President SBA Specialist, has joined
our Board of Directors. He lends his
vision, guidance, and support to
help us achieve our mission.
O
n the evening of Thursday,
January 17, at Merengue Restaurant in Roxbury, MBHP proudly
honored and celebrated the 2012
graduates of its Family Self-Sufficiency
(FSS) program.
Giving the keynote address of
the evening was Geeta Pradhan,
Associate Vice-President for Programs at The Boston Foundation.
The Boston Foundation has become
a valuable partner with MBHP in
expanding the FSS program to
families living in the neighborhoods
along the Fairmount Corridor. “I’m
sure many times over the course of
this program you doubted yourself
and thought of giving up,” Ms.
Pradhan told the graduates. “But you
didn’t. You persisted. You bettered
yourself through education, job
training, and the goals you set for
yourself. You’ve created a pathway
for your children, your family
members, your neighbors, and
awoken in them the possibility of
something they thought they could
never do. The money you saved is
wonderful, but the permanent thing
you gained is the belief in yourself
that you can do it. That’s what will
last and will carry over.”
Lawanda Myrick, one of several
graduates from Dorchester, has just
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE OCTOBER 2012
The Boston Foundation: $100,000 in support of our Family Self-Sufficiency Program Fairmount Initiative
Oak Foundation: $158,480 in support of our Hoarding Intervention and Tenancy Preservation Program
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
home ownership opportunities.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
Linde Family Foundation: $10,000 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
The RAFT program is administered by MBHP’s Housing Consumer Education Center,
whose staff includes (l to r): Vroselyn Benjamin, Matthew Gibson, Kate Fulton,
Malcolm Lucas, Keila Lopez, Kate Jordan, Amy Mullen, Jamila Aden, Regine Chrispin
2
Citi: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs: Housing to Home Initiative
People’s United Community Foundation: $7,500 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
3
State Representative Russell Holmes
congratulates one of his constituents,
Lawanda Myrick, at the FSS Graduation.
Members of MBHP’s 2012 FSS graduation class celebrated with a reception at Merengue
restaurant in Roxbury.
completed the program after six
years and is now looking towards
buying a home. “At the time I started
FSS, I was young and not really
thinking about future goals,” says
Lawanda, “but I set goals and
worked on them for the last six years
and now I’m graduating, and I have
more confidence now. If I didn’t
have FSS, I never would have taken
any credit repair trainings, or homeownership classes. I’m in a much
better situation now.” She plans on
using the escrow money on a down
payment for her first home.
Speaking at the event to honor
the graduates was Representative
Russell Holmes (6th Suffolk) who
heaped praise and advice on the 19
graduates of the FSS program, which
connects families who have Section
8 Rental Assistance with resources
and support services to help build
assets, enhance educational and
career opportunities, and move
toward economic independence.
“I want to say congratulations
to you all because I know how
difficult it is to complete this pro-
4
gram,” said Holmes. “What I can
tell you is that everything in life is a
step, and it’s great to have MBHP
and the FSS program helping you
to understand the steps toward
success. Your success makes it so
that other folks behind you believe
that it’s possible.”
FSS program participants work
with an MBHP staff member who
assists with needs such as credit
repair, transportation, educational
workshops, and job training.
Participants who are employed have
the opportunity to benefit from
funds that are set aside in their
own escrow account based on the
difference between their starting
and increased incomes. Graduates
from the program receive their
escrowed money, which most often
is used toward home ownership
or higher education. Currently there
are 330 participants enrolled in the
program. The average increase in
yearly income for FSS participants
is $13,382 and the average amount
in participants’ escrow account
is $8,972.
MBHP’S PROGRAMS
•R
ental Assistance: Section 8 housing
voucher and other subsidy programs
working with 4,300 property owners
and serving 7,600 disabled, elderly,
formerly homeless, and other
individ­uals and families throughout
Greater Boston. Included are subsidies for people with special needs
requiring both housing and support
services. Other voucher initiatives
target tenants striving for greater
economic self-sufficiency.
•H
ousing Supports: Programs that
serve tenants, property owners
and others with securing, stabilizing,
or improving their housing. These
include:
HomeBASE: a short-term housing
transition program that provides
alternatives to shelter by preventing,
diverting, and re-housing homeless
families and those at imminent risk
of homelessness.
Housing Consumer Education Center:
An integrated network of services
that provides housing-related information, workshops, programs and
emergency financial assistance.
Specialized Intensive Programs and
Services: Individualized assistance to
residents who have faced domestic
violence, mental health or substance
abuse issues, chronic homelessness,
hoarding issues and other traumas.
RAFT Program Revitalized
T
his past fall, MBHP began administering the state’s revitalized
RAFT (Residential Assistance for
Families in Transition) program, which
had lain near dormant for the last few
years. This homelessness prevention
program provides families with the
financial support necessary to become
(or remain) stably housed during a
period of financial crisis. Eligible
families can receive up to a maximum
of $4,000 within a 12-month period.
So far, the response has been
overwhelming. More than 560
families in MBHP’s region have
already received RAFT assistance,
with families getting an average of
$2,240 in financial support (totaling
more than $1,230,000).
“RAFT has been an extremely
effective tool of MBHP’s Housing
Consumer Education Center,” says
MBHP’s Assistant Director of Client
Services Kate Fulton. “Our streamlined referral and intake system
allows for a program that is responsive to our community partner
organizations, landlords and, most
importantly, to the families whose
housing we are seeking to stabilize.”
Fulton reports that since the start
of the program in August of 2012, it
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
has prevented 396 families from
becoming homeless and has also
re-housed 170 homeless families into
new and stable housing.
The large majority of RAFT
funds are used to assist families who
are behind on rent and in imminent
danger of eviction. Approximately
70% of families have used the funds
for eviction prevention (paying back
rent/arrears). Start-up costs such as
security deposits and first/last
month rent represent 25% of the
families, and 5% of families have
used the support for moving costs
and furnishing their apartment.
Meeting the needs of the
growing number of eligible families
has proven to be a daunting task.
The large number of residents
inquiring about RAFT on a daily
basis underscores the massive
amount of need many families face
in this difficult housing market.
Thankfully, the staff at MBHP is up
to the challenge.
MBHP accepts referrals for
financial assistance from community
partners. Families can also call
our Resource Line at (617) 425-6700
for additional assistance and
information.
Fair Housing Technical Assistance:
Trainings and technical assistance
to tenants and property owners on
their rights and responsibilities under
federal and state fair housing laws.
Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy
Preservation: Serves property owners
facing foreclosure and tenants facing
eviction due to foreclosure.
A
t MBHP, we rely on private
funding to provide the com­
prehensive support services that
vulnerable families and individuals
need to remain stable in their
homes and communities. It also
allows us to address gaps in service
and pilot new and innovative
initiatives to combat homelessness
and increase housing stability
throughout Greater Boston.
Eastern Bank and Eastern
Bank Charitable Foundation have
championed our efforts to ensure
that everyone in Greater Boston has
a place to call home, and we are
proud to highlight our partnership
with them. Eastern Bank and the
Foundation provide a myriad of
support for MBHP’s programs and
services, including sponsorship of
our Annual Founders Celebration,
awarding us a grant for our Housing
Supports Programs, and by participating on our Board of Directors.
“Eastern Bank is proud to
support the Metropolitan Boston
Housing Partnership,” says Robert
DiGiovanni, Senior Vice President,
Eastern Bank. “Our mission is to
contribute in a meaningful way to the
health and vitality of the various
eastern Massachusetts communities
served by Eastern Bank Corporation.”
Last fiscal year, MBHP was
privileged to receive a Partnership
Grant from the Eastern Bank
Another Successful Year for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Charitable Foundation for our
Housing Supports Programs. Over
the past several years, the Foundation has made a meaningful impact
on the issue of homelessness. We
share a belief in the importance of
helping disadvantaged populations
obtain the support and the skills
they need to be successful, as well
as to ensure that all residents have
access to vital services, including
decent and affordable housing.
“Our focus is to support organizations, such as MBHP, that provide
services to the underserved and
neediest members of our commu-
Annie is one of 15,000 households
benefitting from MBHP’s privately-funded
Housing Supports Programs. Eastern
Bank has been a generous supporter of
these programs.
nity,” adds DiGiovanni. “In 2011,
the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation targeted homelessness and
homelessness prevention as a key
area in need of support. We commend MBHP’s efforts to provide
affordable housing solutions to
those in need.”
With Eastern Bank’s support, our
Housing Supports Programs assist
residents in stabilizing their housing,
teach them the skills needed to
maintain a stable tenancy, and provide
them with the support necessary to
improve their eco­nomic outcomes.
Eastern Bank was also a generous supporter of our 5th Annual
Founders Celebration, which was
held last November. This event
honors the accomplishments of our
partners, celebrates their commitment to creating and preserving
affordable housing in Greater
Boston, and raises funds for our
programs. In addition to sponsoring
the event, John Marston, Senior Vice
President, Commercial Banking,
Eastern Bank was a member of the
Leadership Committee, and with
his support, this event raised more
than $100,000.
In addition to these efforts,
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank’s Vice
President SBA Specialist, has joined
our Board of Directors. He lends his
vision, guidance, and support to
help us achieve our mission.
O
n the evening of Thursday,
January 17, at Merengue Restaurant in Roxbury, MBHP proudly
honored and celebrated the 2012
graduates of its Family Self-Sufficiency
(FSS) program.
Giving the keynote address of
the evening was Geeta Pradhan,
Associate Vice-President for Programs at The Boston Foundation.
The Boston Foundation has become
a valuable partner with MBHP in
expanding the FSS program to
families living in the neighborhoods
along the Fairmount Corridor. “I’m
sure many times over the course of
this program you doubted yourself
and thought of giving up,” Ms.
Pradhan told the graduates. “But you
didn’t. You persisted. You bettered
yourself through education, job
training, and the goals you set for
yourself. You’ve created a pathway
for your children, your family
members, your neighbors, and
awoken in them the possibility of
something they thought they could
never do. The money you saved is
wonderful, but the permanent thing
you gained is the belief in yourself
that you can do it. That’s what will
last and will carry over.”
Lawanda Myrick, one of several
graduates from Dorchester, has just
RECENT GRANTS (OVER $1,000) SINCE OCTOBER 2012
The Boston Foundation: $100,000 in support of our Family Self-Sufficiency Program Fairmount Initiative
Oak Foundation: $158,480 in support of our Hoarding Intervention and Tenancy Preservation Program
•R
eal Estate Services: Equity services
and asset management oversight,
a loan program that keeps homes
accessible for elders or people
with disabilities, and affordable
home ownership opportunities.
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation: $15,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs
Linde Family Foundation: $10,000 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
The RAFT program is administered by MBHP’s Housing Consumer Education Center,
whose staff includes (l to r): Vroselyn Benjamin, Matthew Gibson, Kate Fulton,
Malcolm Lucas, Keila Lopez, Kate Jordan, Amy Mullen, Jamila Aden, Regine Chrispin
2
Citi: $20,000 in support of our Housing Supports Programs: Housing to Home Initiative
People’s United Community Foundation: $7,500 in support of our Foreclosure Prevention and Tenancy Preservation Initiative
3
State Representative Russell Holmes
congratulates one of his constituents,
Lawanda Myrick, at the FSS Graduation.
Members of MBHP’s 2012 FSS graduation class celebrated with a reception at Merengue
restaurant in Roxbury.
completed the program after six
years and is now looking towards
buying a home. “At the time I started
FSS, I was young and not really
thinking about future goals,” says
Lawanda, “but I set goals and
worked on them for the last six years
and now I’m graduating, and I have
more confidence now. If I didn’t
have FSS, I never would have taken
any credit repair trainings, or homeownership classes. I’m in a much
better situation now.” She plans on
using the escrow money on a down
payment for her first home.
Speaking at the event to honor
the graduates was Representative
Russell Holmes (6th Suffolk) who
heaped praise and advice on the 19
graduates of the FSS program, which
connects families who have Section
8 Rental Assistance with resources
and support services to help build
assets, enhance educational and
career opportunities, and move
toward economic independence.
“I want to say congratulations
to you all because I know how
difficult it is to complete this pro-
4
gram,” said Holmes. “What I can
tell you is that everything in life is a
step, and it’s great to have MBHP
and the FSS program helping you
to understand the steps toward
success. Your success makes it so
that other folks behind you believe
that it’s possible.”
FSS program participants work
with an MBHP staff member who
assists with needs such as credit
repair, transportation, educational
workshops, and job training.
Participants who are employed have
the opportunity to benefit from
funds that are set aside in their
own escrow account based on the
difference between their starting
and increased incomes. Graduates
from the program receive their
escrowed money, which most often
is used toward home ownership
or higher education. Currently there
are 330 participants enrolled in the
program. The average increase in
yearly income for FSS participants
is $13,382 and the average amount
in participants’ escrow account
is $8,972.
Meet Our All-MBHP Marathon Team!
F
or the seventh year running,
MBHP will have four runners
competing in the 2013 Boston
Marathon on April 15. This year’s
marathon is particularly special to
MBHP. All four of our 2013 Marathon
slots are filled by MBHP staff and
family. Jesse Edsell Vetter, Carolyn
Edsell Vetter (Jesse’s wife), Hannah
Lodi, and Katharine Kaplan make
up the dynamic team. MBHP’s
marathon slots are made possible
through the generosity of the John
Hancock Boston Marathon NonProfit Program.
The team’s captain, Jesse EdsellVetter, is a veteran of past MBHP
Marathon teams, but feels especially
strong about this one. “This year’s
MBHP Boston Marathon team is
particularly exciting because this is
the first time that we have had an
all-MBHP team,” said Jesse. “I think
that as members of the MBHP family,
we are so intimately connected with
the impact of the fundraising on
our programs that it is easier to stay
motivated as we train this winter.”
Not only will Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine train and run
26.2 grueling miles on behalf of
MBHP, they will raise at least $5,000
each to prevent homelessness and
place individuals and families in
safe, affordable housing.
Our MBHP athletes honor us
every day with the work they do
to support Greater Boston’s most
vulnerable residents. By running this
race, they are stretching themselves
and their resources. Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine need all of
us to help them meet their marathon
fundraising goals—please help Team
MBHP raise a roof through the 2013
Boston Marathon.
All members of Team MBHP will
be running in honor of Mary Doyle
and will wear her initials on their
Marathon singlet.
To donate to Team MBHP, go to
our website and click on the How to
Help button. You can also learn about
opportunities to sponsor the team by
contacting Mary Jo Kane at (617)
425-6705 or [email protected].
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
SPRING 2013
T
Lowell Richards Fellowship Kicks Off Inaugural Year
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
T
his spring, MBHP is establishing
The Lowell L. Richards, III
Fellowship for Leadership and Public
Service to honor founding member
of our Board of Directors, and
Co-chair, Lowell L. Richards, III,
recognizing his twenty-nine year
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven J. Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
dedication to MBHP’s mission and
continuing his legacy of leadership
and public service.
In its inaugural year, the Fellowship will encourage young leaders
to pursue a career in public service,
specifically in urban development
and issues related to affordable
housing. Lowell personified the
impact one individual can make to
transform the footprint of a region,
the outlook of a city, and the future
for millions of individuals and families
over generations. For the first year of
the Fellowship, the Fellow will be
chosen from mentors of the DREAM
Project, a youth mentoring program
Lowell was passionate about.
continued on back cover
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Clerk, Citi
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
Lowell Richards Fellowship (continued from front cover)
Jesse Edsell-Vetter
Carolyn Edsell-Vetter
Hannah Lodi
Katharine Kaplan
Welcome New Board Members!
W
e at MBHP are proud of our
talented and dedicated Board
of Directors, who routinely go above
and beyond to help MBHP make
housing safe and affordable for more
Massachusetts residents. In the last
several months, there has been an
infusion of new, energetic blood to
MBHP’s Board. Patrick Centanni
joined us from State Street Corporation in September, where he is
Executive VP of Global Management
at State Street Global Services.
Mary-Anne Morrison, who joined
us in December, recently retired
from the state’s Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD) where she ran the
Section 8 voucher program since its
inception. Janet Frazier joined
MBHP’s Board in December and is
the President/CEO of Maloney
Properties. Charles Smith also
joined in December, and is currently
5
Vice-President SBA Specialist at
Eastern Bank. Our most recent
addition, Peter Munkenbeck, who
runs his own consulting firm,
Munkenbeck Consulting, and regularly works with affordable housing
and community-based organizations,
joined in March. We look forward
to working with these talented and
eager new faces, as they join the
veteran members of our dynamic
and active Board of Directors.
Michael Foote, Lowell’s nephew
and one of DREAM’s founders, is
overjoyed by DREAM’s participation
in the Fellowship. It was Lowell,
after all, who provided mentorship
to Michael and helped him launch
the fledgling organization. “Lowell
believed in DREAM’s mission, which
is to provide mentors and new
opportunities for some of the most
vulnerable youth in Boston,” says
Foote. “My hope is that through this
Fellowship and by drawing on
DREAM college student mentors
who have a passion for social justice,
affordable housing, and urban
development, we can continue
Lowell’s work in mentoring young
civically-minded leaders.”
The 2013 Lowell Richards Fellow
will be hosted by The Massachusetts
Port Authority (Massport) and
assigned to the Economic Planning
and Development Department,
where Lowell Richards was Director
for over ten years. “Lowell was a
visionary leader, city builder, and
dedicated to public service,” says Jim
Doolin, acting Chief Development
officer at Massport. “He brought
boundless energy and intellect to
projects and was a creative problemsolver. We are very pleased to be the
host site for the first fellow of the
Lowell Richards Fellowship.”
Karen Richards, Lowell’s wife,
has been heavily involved in the
conception of the Fellowship and is
grateful her husband’s legacy will
6
live on through assisting in the
education and career of students.
“The thing Lowell cared most about
in the world was helping young
people,” says Karen.“If there was a
young person in the room, he
wanted to know them, listen to
them, and encourage them. Through
the Fellowship, Lowell has brought
MBHP, Massport, and DREAM
together to launch the next generation of ‘bright young leaders’ in
public service.”
After this inaugural year working
with DREAM mentors, future Lowell
Richards Fellowships will be focusing
on expanding career opportunities
for aspiring young adults who have
benefited from MBHP services.
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
Patrick Centanni, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Janet Frazier, Maloney Properties, Inc.
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley C. Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Mary-Anne Morrison
Peter Munkenbeck, Munkenbeck Consulting
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson LLP
Mary E. Doyle (August 25, 1956–February 23, 2013)
T
he entire MBHP community is
deeply saddened by the passing
of Mary Doyle, MBHP’s Director of
Policy, Development, and External
Relations, who died peacefully at
home on February 23. Mary joined
MBHP in 2003, and for almost ten
years she shared with us her commit­
ment and passion for families affected
by poverty, housing instability, and
homelessness. Mary dedicated her
professional life to ending family
homelessness, and in addition to
her work at MBHP she served on
numerous committees and boards
including the Citizens’ Housing and
Planning Association (CHAPA),
Housing Corporation of Arlington,
Travelers Aid Family Services, and
Rosie’s Place. She was a generous
leader, a beloved colleague, and
friend. For MBHP, Mary lives on in
every family and individual who has
found safe, stable housing due in no
small part to her dedication.
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
Meet Our All-MBHP Marathon Team!
F
or the seventh year running,
MBHP will have four runners
competing in the 2013 Boston
Marathon on April 15. This year’s
marathon is particularly special to
MBHP. All four of our 2013 Marathon
slots are filled by MBHP staff and
family. Jesse Edsell Vetter, Carolyn
Edsell Vetter (Jesse’s wife), Hannah
Lodi, and Katharine Kaplan make
up the dynamic team. MBHP’s
marathon slots are made possible
through the generosity of the John
Hancock Boston Marathon NonProfit Program.
The team’s captain, Jesse EdsellVetter, is a veteran of past MBHP
Marathon teams, but feels especially
strong about this one. “This year’s
MBHP Boston Marathon team is
particularly exciting because this is
the first time that we have had an
all-MBHP team,” said Jesse. “I think
that as members of the MBHP family,
we are so intimately connected with
the impact of the fundraising on
our programs that it is easier to stay
motivated as we train this winter.”
Not only will Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine train and run
26.2 grueling miles on behalf of
MBHP, they will raise at least $5,000
each to prevent homelessness and
place individuals and families in
safe, affordable housing.
Our MBHP athletes honor us
every day with the work they do
to support Greater Boston’s most
vulnerable residents. By running this
race, they are stretching themselves
and their resources. Jesse, Carolyn,
Hannah, and Katharine need all of
us to help them meet their marathon
fundraising goals—please help Team
MBHP raise a roof through the 2013
Boston Marathon.
All members of Team MBHP will
be running in honor of Mary Doyle
and will wear her initials on their
Marathon singlet.
To donate to Team MBHP, go to
our website and click on the How to
Help button. You can also learn about
opportunities to sponsor the team by
contacting Mary Jo Kane at (617)
425-6705 or [email protected].
mbhp UPDATE
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership • 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor • Boston, MA 02111-2503 • (617) 859-0400 www.mbhp.org
SPRING 2013
T
Lowell Richards Fellowship Kicks Off Inaugural Year
MISSION STATEMENT
MBHP’s mission is to ensure that the
region’s low- and moderate-income
individuals and families have choice and
mobility in finding and retaining decent
affordable housing; all of our programs
and initiatives are designed to encourage
housing stability, increase economic
self-sufficiency, and enhance the quality
of the lives of those we serve. To achieve
our mission and to promote efficient
service delivery, we work collaboratively
with a broad array of service providers
and neighborhood-based organizations.
T
his spring, MBHP is establishing
The Lowell L. Richards, III
Fellowship for Leadership and Public
Service to honor founding member
of our Board of Directors, and
Co-chair, Lowell L. Richards, III,
recognizing his twenty-nine year
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steven J. Rioff, Co-Chair
MB Management Company
Cynthia Lacasse, Co-Chair
John Hancock Realty Advisors, Inc.
John Hancock Financial Services, Inc.
Elizabeth Gruber, Treasurer
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
dedication to MBHP’s mission and
continuing his legacy of leadership
and public service.
In its inaugural year, the Fellowship will encourage young leaders
to pursue a career in public service,
specifically in urban development
and issues related to affordable
housing. Lowell personified the
impact one individual can make to
transform the footprint of a region,
the outlook of a city, and the future
for millions of individuals and families
over generations. For the first year of
the Fellowship, the Fellow will be
chosen from mentors of the DREAM
Project, a youth mentoring program
Lowell was passionate about.
continued on back cover
Susanne Marzi Cameron, Clerk, Citi
Nader Acevedo, Hispanic-American
Chamber of Commerce of Greater Boston
Lowell Richards Fellowship (continued from front cover)
Jesse Edsell-Vetter
Carolyn Edsell-Vetter
Hannah Lodi
Katharine Kaplan
Welcome New Board Members!
W
e at MBHP are proud of our
talented and dedicated Board
of Directors, who routinely go above
and beyond to help MBHP make
housing safe and affordable for more
Massachusetts residents. In the last
several months, there has been an
infusion of new, energetic blood to
MBHP’s Board. Patrick Centanni
joined us from State Street Corporation in September, where he is
Executive VP of Global Management
at State Street Global Services.
Mary-Anne Morrison, who joined
us in December, recently retired
from the state’s Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD) where she ran the
Section 8 voucher program since its
inception. Janet Frazier joined
MBHP’s Board in December and is
the President/CEO of Maloney
Properties. Charles Smith also
joined in December, and is currently
5
Vice-President SBA Specialist at
Eastern Bank. Our most recent
addition, Peter Munkenbeck, who
runs his own consulting firm,
Munkenbeck Consulting, and regularly works with affordable housing
and community-based organizations,
joined in March. We look forward
to working with these talented and
eager new faces, as they join the
veteran members of our dynamic
and active Board of Directors.
Michael Foote, one of DREAM’s
founders and a relative of Lowell, is
overjoyed by DREAM’s participation
in the Fellowship. It was Lowell,
after all, who provided mentorship
to Michael and helped him launch
the fledgling organization. “Lowell
believed in DREAM’s mission, which
is to provide mentors and new
opportunities for some of the most
vulnerable youth in Boston,” says
Foote. “My hope is that through this
Fellowship and by drawing on
DREAM college student mentors
who have a passion for social justice,
affordable housing, and urban
development, we can continue
Lowell’s work in mentoring young
civically-minded leaders.”
The 2013 Lowell Richards Fellow
will be hosted by The Massachusetts
Port Authority (Massport) and
assigned to the Economic Planning
and Development Department,
where Lowell Richards was Director
for over ten years. “Lowell was a
visionary leader, city builder, and
dedicated to public service,” says Jim
Doolin, acting Chief Development
officer at Massport. “He brought
boundless energy and intellect to
projects and was a creative problemsolver. We are very pleased to be the
host site for the first fellow of the
Lowell Richards Fellowship.”
Karen Richards, Lowell’s wife,
has been heavily involved in the
conception of the Fellowship and is
grateful her husband’s legacy will
6
live on through assisting in the
education and career of students.
“The thing Lowell cared most about
in the world was helping young
people,” says Karen.“If there was a
young person in the room, he
wanted to know them, listen to
them, and encourage them. Through
the Fellowship, Lowell has brought
MBHP, Massport, and DREAM
together to launch the next generation of ‘bright young leaders’ in
public service.”
After this inaugural year working
with DREAM mentors, future Lowell
Richards Fellowships will be focusing
on expanding career opportunities
for aspiring young adults who have
benefited from MBHP services.
Kevin Boyle, Citizens Bank
Patrick Centanni, State Street Corporation
Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn
Janet Frazier, Maloney Properties, Inc.
Christopher Harris, The Boston Foundation
Langley C. Keyes, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (retired)
Chrystal Kornegay, Urban Edge
Terry Saunders Lane, Lane Consulting
Services, University of Massachusetts
Boston
Matthew A. Martinez, Beacon Hill
Property Group
Mary-Anne Morrison
Peter Munkenbeck, Munkenbeck Consulting
Esther Schlorholtz, Boston Private
Bank & Trust Company
Charles Smith, Eastern Bank
Donald E. Vaughan, Burns & Levinson LLP
Mary E. Doyle (August 25, 1956–February 23, 2013)
T
he entire MBHP community is
deeply saddened by the passing
of Mary Doyle, MBHP’s Director of
Policy, Development, and External
Relations, who died peacefully at
home on February 23. Mary joined
MBHP in 2003, and for almost ten
years she shared with us her commit­
ment and passion for families affected
by poverty, housing instability, and
homelessness. Mary dedicated her
professional life to ending family
homelessness, and in addition to
her work at MBHP she served on
numerous committees and boards
including the Citizens’ Housing and
Planning Association (CHAPA),
Housing Corporation of Arlington,
Travelers Aid Family Services, and
Rosie’s Place. She was a generous
leader, a beloved colleague, and
friend. For MBHP, Mary lives on in
every family and individual who has
found safe, stable housing due in no
small part to her dedication.
ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e