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Community Foundation Support Helps to End Homelessness in Middlesex County
In 2007, when community leaders from across the county came together to create a plan for ending homelessness in Middlesex County, the Middlesex County Community Foundation (MCCF) was there, offering their expertise and funding. Five years later, MCCF is still there. In January 2012, MCCF awarded the Coalition a $5,000 grant to help the Coalition implement its ambitious plan. Click here to read more about the grant from MCCF.
Homelessness Awareness Discussion & Youth Sleep Out
On Saturday, January 28, 2012 youth from around Middlesex County spent the evening learning first-hand about the issues facing individuals that are homeless. The night began at South Congregational Church with several presentations and a simple meal of soup and bread. The students then dispersed to their local churches to spend the night outdoors. Read our media coverage below or watch the video highlights from the event.
September Leadership Breakfast
The Middlesex Coalition on Housing & Homelessness hosted a Leadership Breakfast on September 23, 2011 featuring Preston Maynard from the VA Homeless Services Programs in CT. Fred Pinero, a U.S. Navy Veteran, also spoke about his struggles after returning from active duty and Tony Lyons of HOPE Partnership provided an update on the Housing Committee's activities, successes, and challenges. Click here to review Mr. Maynard's slide show or watch video highlights from the event below.
U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Shaun Donovan
At a special event on housing on Friday, April 8, U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Shaun Donovan shared his views on the importance of small businesses for economic growth in a pre-taped speech. Click the box below to view his message:
Consumers and Coalition Members Advocate at the Capitol, by Amanda Girardin
On Thursday, April 7 a group of about 25 consumers and 8 Coalition members made the trek up to Hartford to speak to their legislators on the issues of housing and homelessness. Despite the intimidating hustle and bustle of the Legislative Office Building (LOB) looming over them, the consumers, residents of Eddy Shelter, members of the LEADers in Homelessness Reality, and clients of Gilead Community Services jumped right into the fray.
Meetings were held with newly elected Senator Len Suzio, Senator Paul Doyle and Representative Matthew Lesser. Consumers shared their stories of being homeless and struggling to get the services and shelter that they required.
Senator Suzio, though new to the work of the Ten Year Plan, seemed very supportive of the work that we do and enthusiastically encouraged the consumers for their personal advocacy.
Senator Doyle and Representative Lesser, longtime supporters of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, were attentive and interested in the consumers' testimonials. Coalition members and lobbyist Kate Robinson, were able to clarify our position on some of the key issues surrounding housing and homelessness right now, such as the Security Deposit Guarantee Program, the bonding of $80 Million for affordable and supportive housing and the need for more Rental Assistance Program (RAP) vouchers to reduce family homelessness.
The Middlesex County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness would like to thank Carol Walter and the Connecticut Coaltion to End Homelessness for providing lunch for the consumers, and Kate Robinson from Betty Gallo & Co. for her support at the LOB.
2011 Legislative Breakfast - slide show
National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Service & Vigil - video clip
In the Media
- Community Foundation Support Helps End Homelessness in Middlesex County (Hartford Courant's myTowns, February 22)
- Community Foundation Support Helps to End Homelessness (Middletown patch, February 17)
- Youths Brave Cold for "Taste" of Homelessness (The Middletown Press, January 31, 2012)
- Sleep Out to Raise Awareness of Homeless (Killingworth-Durham-Middlefield patch, January 28, 2012)
- Where We Live: Portraits of Homelessness (radio interview on National Public Radio, February 8, 2011)
- Middlesex Homelessness Discussion and Sleep-Out (Middletown patch.com, February 3, 2011)
- Old Saybrook Rolls Out Welcome Mat For Affordable Housing Plan (Hartford Courant, February 1, 2010)
- In Search of the Homeless (Middletown patch.com, January 28, 2011)
- Homelessness brought to light in city ceremony (Middletown Press, December 22, 2010)
- LEADers Speak at Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service (November 25, 2010)
Archived Media Releases
- Community Foundation Support Helps to End Homelessness in Middlesex County(January 2012)
- Middlesex County Youth to Experience Homelessness for a Night (January 28, 2012)
- Coaltion Kicks Off Campaign to Prevent and End Homelessness (May 26, 2010)
- Prevention Fund Meets Challenge Grant from Middlesex County Community Foundation (September 1, 2011)
