The Dedham Institution for Savings Foundation is donating $5,000 to Catholic Charities Labouré Center to help fund its efforts to end chronic homelessness among elders in Boston. Twice a year, Labouré partners with the City of Boston, the Boston Housing Authority, and various other community organizations to host a “Housing Surge,” a day dedicated solely to moving people over the age of 50 off the streets and into safe, sustainable housing.
On a Housing Surge day, the Labouré transforms into a one stop shop for individuals seeking a place to live and in need of supportive services: they come to the center, meet with a housing case manager from the Boston Housing Authority and the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership to sign a lease on an apartment or fill out an application for a subsidized housing voucher. Staff then works with the individual to determine which supportive services would be most appropriate to meet their unique needs and link them with organizations that can help. The most recent Housing Surge in June of 2017 was attended by 63 individuals with 58 leaving with a linkage to housing and 41 receiving apartments that very day. The Dedham Institution for Savings Foundation grant will provide “move-in packages,” that include a mattress, box spring and frame, a microwave, and small appliances to 10 newly-housed elders.
The Dedham Institution for Savings formed the Foundation for the purpose of funding requests from community organizations which provide services to the communities that they serve. These communities generally, but not exclusively, include Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Walpole, Sharon, Needham, and South Boston. Typical requests are usually received from such organizations as schools, libraries, family service organizations and non-profit organizations. The Trustees of the Foundation will accept grant requests from community organizations and make awards twice a year.
Organizations wishing to request funding from the Foundation may contact Gerard R. Lavoie, Trustee, Dedham Institution for Savings Foundation, 55 Elm Street, Dedham, MA 02026 or call (781) 329-6700 to obtain a grant application.
Pictured from left to right are Deborah Rambo, Catholic Charities Labouré Center, President; Valleri Lovely, Dedham Savings, Branch Manager- South Boston Office; Jerry Lavoie, Dedham Institution for Savings Foundation, Trustee; and Jacob Bombard, Catholic Charities the Labouré Center, Director.
