Worcester early education center serving at-risk students unveils new playspaces

Rotting wood and rusted bolts at the Rainbow Child Development Center’s old play area have been replaced by brand-new playsets, thanks to the generosity of donors and a six-figure government grant.

Just as important, said officials at the Edward Street-based early education and after-school center, which serves disadvantaged children in the area, the gleaming playground introduced at a ceremony on Friday will enable safer, better playtime for those kids and, in the process, hopefully help close an achievement gap separating them and their more well-off peers.

“We know you have to have healthy, happy children for them to thrive academically,” said the center’s executive director, Joyce Rowell, who explained the Rainbow Center has adopted a range of new programs and activities aimed at instilling healthy living habits in its students and their families. “It’s a whole mindset we’re trying to work on together.”

Unlike many private preschool centers, however, the Rainbow Center cannot rely on its clients to pay for those initiatives. It primarily serves low-income and single-parent families living in some of the area’s poorest neighborhoods, as well as students under the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and derives around 85 percent of its funding from the state.

The problem is not unique to the Rainbow Center, according to state officials; a recent study undertaken by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation’s Children’s Investment Fund identified “shortcomings at many of the centers” around the state serving similar populations, said Bree Horowitz, senior project manager at the fund.

In response, the state established the Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund Program, which has provided millions of dollars over the past three years for infrastructure improvement projects at childcare centers across Massachusetts. The Rainbow Center was among them, applying for and receiving a $200,000 grant last year.

The center put that funding toward its play area project this year, which was still largely paid for through a capital campaign. The total work, costing around $750,000, required a major overhaul of the center’s rear property, including the removal of three utility poles, as well as the replacement of the old playset, which had recently been deemed unsafe for children to use.

On Friday, the center unveiled the new playground, which includes a playset and other activity stations for its younger students, as well as an obstacle course for the older students who enroll in the outside-school-hours program.

“It’s not an ordinary place to play, it’s not an ordinary playground,” primarily because it’s not for ordinary students, said Dr. Marianne Felice, a pediatrician and co-chairwoman of the Rainbow Center’s capital campaign for the project. “It’s not like going out in your backyard (to play) – these children need special kinds of space and special activities to stimulate them.”

That philosophy extends to other areas of the center’s educational model, pointed out Nancy Thibault, its strategic communication and development manager, who said many of the students there “are victims of adverse experiences every day.” Providing them a routine, avoiding the triggers that make them upset – there’s no yelling, Ms. Thibault said – and making them feel safe are all part of the Rainbow Center’s approach.

While it currently serves 250 students in total, 54 of whom are in the preschool program, “we could serve more children if we could fill additional staff (positions),” said Ms. Rowell. But like many early childhood centers, especially those dependent on government funding, the Rainbow Center struggles to attract staff, who only earn $12 to $16 an hour for a job that requires a college degree.

“We put a lot of demands on our early educators – as soon as they reach the benchmarks (necessary for the job), they’re leaving to go into the public (school) systems, where the support and benefits are much higher,” said state Sen. Michael O. Moore, who spoke at Friday’s playground ceremony. “It’s a vicious cycle,” he added, one that ultimately harms students, who are most closely affected by the industry’s high staff turnover rate.

Ms. Thibault said it’s taken a “team effort” from the Rainbow Center and its network of donors to build a robust financial support system for the center’s many initiatives. But when it comes to the central task of running an early childhood center, “the state does need to step up” its support as well, Ms. Rowell said.

According to Thomas Weber, commissioner of the state’s Early Education and Care Department, it has; the state increased its subsidy rate to centers serving at-risk students over the past few years, and is bumping it up 6 percent this year alone, he said. But he acknowledged alleviating the industry’s workforce issues remains “priority 1A for us.”

“We’ve been really working to try to enhance what we’re able to provide through subsidy support,” in addition to the “unprecedented” step of finally providing a capital fund program for the state’s early childhood centers, he said. “We’re making progress.”

http://www.telegram.com/news/20170908/worcester-early-education-center-serving-at-risk-students-unveils-new-playspaces

SourceWorcester Telegram

Lowell’s House of Hope opens new Shelter (Video)

The House of Hope celebrated a milestone expansion on Tuesday that has nearly doubled the number of homeless families it can serve.

The nonprofit organization has opened a new 31-family property at 520 Fletcher St., which formerly housed a home for elderly women. With the help of $2.8 million in state aid, House of Hope was able to purchase, renovate, and reopen the facility in just over a year, and the expansion will continue with another project underway on Smith Street.

House of Hope’s leaders chalked their success up to vibrant partnerships with the Department of Housing and Community Development and several community organizations.

“It’s the desire of everybody in this community to reach out to the poorest of the poor,” said Deb Chausse, executive director of the House of Hope. “The want a vehicle they can trust to do that and House of Hope can.”

Chrystal Kornegay, undersecretary of the DHCD, attended the ceremony, inside the building’s elegant dining room. She credited the program, and others of its kind, for the sharp reduction in the number of homeless families the state had housed temporarily in hotels.

In 2015, there were approximately 1,500 homeless families lodged in hotels and motels. That number has dropped to just a handful, Kornegay said.

“The 24-hour access to services and support you can do here, and not in a hotel,” she added. “The ability to help people as they encounter different obstacles and struggles as they’re on their path to greatness, you’re very limited to do that in a hotel or motel.

“In addition to shelter, the Fletcher Street facility also provides workforce development training and a room for early childhood education.

Mabel, a resident of the building who spoke at the opening ceremony, said turning to the House of Hope was the best decision she had ever made and that her job at the on-site culinary program was the first one she had enjoyed.

“Each member of the team has played an important role,” she said. “This place has changed my life for the better.”

State Sen. Eileen Donoghue and City Councilor Rita Mercier heaped praise on Chausse and other members of the House of Hope team for their accomplishments in the face of a homelessness problem that is too often viewed as intractable.

“You’re saving lives and I couldn’t be happier or prouder,” Mercier said.

SourceLowell Sun

Pine Street Inn Opens New Brookline Affordable Housing

Home sweet home is the new reality for 30 people in Brookline, thanks to the efforts of the Pine Street Inn.

It’s part of an effort to build permanent homes for people who had been homeless. And for the people moving in, having their own places is changing their lives.

“I don’t worry about going hungry, sleeping somewhere,” says Joe Joy, one of the new residents.

For Joe, his humble studio apartment means everything.

“I say a prayer in the morning and in the night. I’m like, my God, where would I be right now?” he says.

Joy is one of 30 formerly homeless people who will live on Beals Street in Brookline, a tree-lined residential area just a stone’s throw from JFK’s birthplace.

“It’s a huge, enormous victory and a miracle, and we’re very grateful to the town of Brookline,” says Lyndia Downie the head of the Pine Street Inn.

Friday was the official dedication, celebrating the renovation of two buildings by the Pine St. Inn and its partners. The Inn has developed 900 units of permanent housing like this in Greater Boston.

“Housing is the basis of everything. Housing is where you get up in the morning, where you go to sleep at night, where your community is, where you eat,” says Downie.

As part of the project case managers will work with residents if they need services like health care or job training.

“It feels good to be able to just walk out and go about your business,” says new resident Joe Joy.

Congressman Joe Kennedy was the keynote speaker. He lives just around the corner from the new housing.

“The support that went into making this investment, the hard work that brought it to fruition I think, is a real testament to the power of upward mobility and the promise that housing provides,” says Kennedy.

And for people like Joy, Friday really was the first day of the rest of their lives.

“I try to do the best that I can. It’s a complete turnaround,” he says.

Thanks to projects like Beals Street, the Pine Street Inn now has more permanent housing units than shelter beds.

Of course the Inn couldn’t do it alone. Their partners include the town of Brookline, state agencies, banks and an army of volunteers.

SourceCBS Boston

DELEO OPENS REVERE EARLY-ED CENTER

REVERE — There’s a new place in town for kids to hang out.
For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) held its grand opening Friday at its new Youth In Motion facility in Revere. Construction crews broke ground on the $2.8 million project on Broadway one year ago. The building, which can house up to 120 children, was funded by the state’s Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund, community grants, donors and FKO.

For three decades, FKO has provided year-round, out-of-school programs to children ages 5-14. The program provides children with academic, recreational and social opportunities.
Theresa Jordan, Children’s Investment Fund program manager, said 95 percent of the children FKO serves come from low-income families.

The two-story building features a library and computer lab, a nutrition cafe, a half-court gymnasium and a dance and yoga studio. The school also has a reflection room, which will be used to promote healthy stress management, as well as a kitchen and classrooms.

“There has never been a more exciting time for afterschool and summer learning in Revere,” said Deborah Kneeland Keegan, FKO’s executive director.

Youth In Motion’s after-school program operates during the school year from dismissal until 6 p.m. Children receive a healthy snack, homework support and academic enrichment classes, which help students develop new skills and interests, according to its website. Youth In Motion also provides summer programs, as well.

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said FKO has been a positive force now for many years, and thanked everyone present at Friday’s ceremony for their commitment to the kids and to Revere.
“When kids are healthy and active, they are more likely to excel both in the classroom and outside of it,” said the Winthrop Democrat.

State Rep. RoseLee Vincent (D-Revere) called the new building a “perfect addition to the revitalization of Broadway.”

“Youth In Motion will help the children and families of our city for years to come,” she said.
Thomas Weber, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, said the program prepares children for school and life.

“It is well established through research that environments influence the architecture of a child’s developing brain,” he said. “So having program spaces that facilitate positive experiences for children is critical.”

While Mayor Brian Arrigo could not be present for the ceremony, his wife, Daveen, said that the opening of the new facility is something they’ve both looked forward to for a long time. She thanked everyone involved for their commitment to ending childhood obesity.

SourceItemlive

Just-A-Start celebrates Bishop Allen restoration

Just-A-Start recently celebrated the preservation and rehabilitation of the Bishop Allen Apartments, a 32–unit family housing development.
The ceremonial ribbon cutting brought together both state and local leaders dedicated to community development.
Speakers included Deborah Ruhe, executive director of Just-A-Start; Peter Munkenbeck, president of the board of directors, Just-A-Start; Chrystal Kornegay, undersecretary of the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development; David P. Maher, mayor, City of Cambridge; Richard C. Rossi, city manager, City of Cambridge; Anne L. Randall, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Boston Private Bank & Trust; Joseph Flatley, president and CEO, Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation; Tim Toomey, state representative; Marjorie Decker, state representative; Roger Herzog, executive director, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation; Charles Sullivan, executive director, Cambridge Historical Commission; and Jennifer Ramsey, resident.
“Thank you all so much for what you’ve done here,” said Ramsey, who will move into the apartment buildings with her son this weekend. “My grandparents lived here, my parents live here, and thanks to Just-A-Start, I can raise my son here.”

SourceWicked Local Cambridge

Ribbon Cutting this morning for HAPHousing’s Stevens Memoiral Senior Housing on Chestnut Street in L

A ribbon cutting and grand opening will be held this morning at 10 a.m. at the newly renovated HAPHousing’s Stevens Memorial Senior Housing at 12 Chestnut Street.
Located in the center of Ludlow, the Stevens Memorial Senior Housing offers 28 affordable rental apartments for seniors citizens, ages 62 and older, in the newly-renovated historic building.
The facility now includes community and activity rooms, a laundry room and four fully handicapped-accessible apartments. HAPHousing has made all apartments energy efficient, including the replacement of original windows with energy efficient windows.
A tenant selection lottery was held in July, and initial occupancy is scheduled for October.
HAPHousing served as developer for the $7.4 million conversion of the historic brick building and is managing the 28-rental apartment community for senior citizens. The nonprofit organization acquired the Stevens Memorial Building from the town of Ludlow in August 2013 and began construction in September 2013.
The Stevens Memorial Building was built in 1906 by the Ludlow Manufacturing Co. as a recreation facility for its employees. It was acquired by the town of Ludlow in 1949 and operated as the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club until 2005.
HAPHousing Executive Director Peter Gagliardi said, “It is gratifying to see this historic building come to life while providing the much needed additional affordable housing to serve seniors in this community.”
Stevens Memorial Senior Housing was made possible by funds provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, MassHousing and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation.
Studio One of Springfield served as architect for the project. Lupachino & Salvatore Inc. of Bloomfield, Conn., served as general contractor.
HAPHousing provides a broad range of housing services to meet the needs of low and moderate-income households and is the region’s largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing.
Speakers this morning will include U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, state Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, and state Rep. Thomas Petrolati, C-Ludlow, as well as Manuel Silva, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Maurice Barry, director of project management for the U.?S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Thomas Gleason, executive director of MassHousing

SourceThe Republican - MassLive

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate Saint Polycarp Village Completion June 9th

Construction is complete at Saint Polycarp Village Phase III, the Final Component to a Landmark Green, Mixed-Use, Affordable Housing Village in Winter Hill
Saint Polycarp Village Phase 3 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Monday June 9th, 10:30am

7 Memorial Drive
Somerville MA
On Monday, June 9th, at 10:30am the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) will commemorate the completion of Saint Polycarp Village Phase III with a ribbon cutting ceremony open to the public. Congressman Michael Capuano, Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein, and HUD Regional Administrator Barbara Fields, among other notable local leaders and Village residents, will speak at the event. The Ribbon Cutting will take place at 7 Memorial Road, Somerville MA 02143, in the courtyard of the Phase III Village.
The Saint Polycarp Village site was formerly owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and was used by the St. Polycarp Parish until 2002. SCC purchased the 3.5 acre property in March 2006 to revitalize this neglected and underutilized parcel of land at a key entrance point into Somerville. Now complete, the site creates a vibrant smart growth community with 84 affordable rental units, commercial space, a church, a transitional home for single mothers and their children, and open space.
“We are thrilled to be able to continue the use of this gateway to Somerville as a valuable community asset, creating 84 critically-needed new affordable apartments in the process,” said Danny LeBlanc, SCC’s Chief Executive Officer.
Phase III
The Saint Polycarp Village Phase III is the final of 3 phases of new construction on the site. This project includes 31 affordable apartments in an elevator building around a courtyard. Eight units are affordable to very low income families with project-based Section 8 subsidies, including two apartments reserve for homeless households and three for people with disabilities. The majority of families will complete their move-in by the end of June, and 53 families are already living in the Phase I and II buildings.
New residents are quick to express their appreciation for the high-quality, affordable housing. Maria Salmeron, a Phase 3 resident and featured speaker for Monday’s ceremony says, “Thanks to SCC for building apartments for low-income families. This has allowed me to stay in the community as it develops and be part of the community where my kids are in school.”
All three phases of the village have a strong focus on open space, green construction and environmentally-friendly features, such as energy conservation and air purification systems, and a rain garden to collect storm water naturally on site. Phase I has a LEED Silver award, Phase II is LEED Silver certifiable, Phase III is both Energy Star Version 3 and LEED Platinum, the highest green honor awarded to new developments. In addition to the Phase III in particular includes a double wall thick “super insulation”, making this building more energy efficient than any previous phases of Saint Polycarp Village. The buildings are designed for smart growth, and are located in, transit friendly, walkable neighborhood of Winter Hill, reducing the need for car trips and giving people more opportunity to get exercise by walking.
“SCC has developed a substantial track record now in sustainable development. We are particularly grateful to Davis Square Architects, New Ecology and our General Contractor, Dellbrook Construction, for working so diligently with us in furthering our sustainable development goals”, said Scott Hayman,SCC’s Director of Real Estate.
Saint Polycarp Village Apartments received financing through the City of Somerville, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), MassHousing, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), First Sterling Financial, Bank of New York Mellon Bank of America, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Enterprise Foundation, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
SCC, the developer of the project, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to maintaining diversity and preserving affordability in Somerville by building and preserving housing, organizing for necessary policies and funding, and giving residents the financial skills they need to survive.
For more information, please contact: Danny Leblanc, CEO at SCC 617-776-5931 x223 or dleblanc@somervillecdc.org

SourceThe Somerville News Weekly

Community Care Services in Fall River

The February ribbon-cutting included, from left: Roland P. Valois, president and owner
of R.P. Valois and Company, Inc.; Stephen Peck, vice president at Bridgewater Savings
Bank; Janet Lebel, aide to Sen. John Kerry; Roger Herzog, executive director CEDAC;
Ken Willis, vice president/director of Housing and Community Development, Federal
Home Loan Bank; Fall River Mayor William Flanagan; Thomas Fisher, president/CEO,
Community Care Services; Andy Nelson, DHCD; Rob Smith, JMBA Architects; and
Robert Goldstein, executive director, Franklin Square House Foundation.

Community Care Services, Inc.
Celebrated its new subsidiary, Eagle
Community Care Estates, which was
developed in Fall River to provide affordable
housing for the region’s lowincome
and homeless residents. Eight
of the 17 units hold a preference for
military veterans. Nine other units
give preference to the city’s residents,
homeless families, households with at
least one member who will benefit
from supportive services, and households
that would benefit from handicapped-
accessible features.
Additionally, CCS, led by President/
CEO Thomas L. Fisher, was recently
awarded accreditation by the
Council on Accreditation (COA). For
Taunton-based CCS, the COA accreditation
highlights the organization’s
commitment to maintain the highest
level of standards and quality improvement
for delivering superior
quality services.

SourceThe Provider (The Newspaper of the Providers' Council)

Tri-Cap opens new rooming house

Wed Aug 20, 2008, 08:00 PM EDT

Malden –
Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. announces the completion of the Washington Street Residence, a 14-room rooming house that will serve 10 formerly homeless men and women and four very low-income area residents.
Anticipated occupancy is early September.
An open house and recognition event will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21, beginning at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting, followed by an open house from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
The Washington Street Residence is located at 115 Washington St., at the corner of Washington and Kneeland streets. The event is open to the public, and neighbors and friends are welcome to tour the renovated rooming house.
Tri-CAP first applied for funding for this project in mid-2004 through a HUD McKinney grant, according to Charlie Harak, Tri-CAP Board President. Initial funding for the project was secured in April 2005.
“From that point on, Tri-CAP needed to secure an additional $2 million in funding, locate and purchase a suitable site and complete renovations,” notes Philip Bronder-Giroux, Tri-CAP Executive Director. “No step was or could be taken for granted. Sitting and developing programs to serve the homeless generally are difficult. Tri-CAP was extraordinarily fortunate in finding an existing licensed rooming that was underutilized. It is a tribute to Tri-CAP’s tenacity and the city of Malden’s commitment to the project, that we were successful.”
Early funding in the form of a bridge loan was provided by Eagle Bank, a local community bank. Predevelopment financing was provided by the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation. The North Suburban Consortium provided early funding commitments and resources that allowed the project to proceed in the summer of 2007.
Renovations began in October 2007.
“It is rare to see a Board of Directors with such long-term commitment to serving the needs of homeless men and women,” commented Alice Krapf, financial consultant to the project. “Tri-CAP’s Board of Directors should be highly commended for this accomplishment.”
The Agency now provides the tri-city area with 14 units of permanent housing and 11 units of transitional housing. The 115 Washington St. facility was funded by the Commonwealth’s plan under the Romney administration to create 1,000 additional units of single room occupancy units to reduce the number of homeless adults in Massachusetts.
“Without the support and commitment of the North Suburban Consortium, work on the project would have been delayed until June of this year,” said Bronder-Giroux.
The balance of needed funding came from the Commonwealth’s Department of Housing and Community Development in the form of Housing Innovation Fund and Housing Stabilization Fund loans.
Deed restrictions insure that the rooming house will serve very low-income households for the next 30 years.
Lambrian Construction Corporation of Westwood served as the general contractor on the project. The architectural firm of Donham & Sweeney of Boston provided design, building specifications and project coordination services.
Krapf Associates of Charlestown assisted in all aspects of the project including financing, zoning and scheduling services.
The law firm of Clark Hunt and Embry provided necessary legal advice and services, which allowed the project to proceed despite initial setbacks with the Malden Planning Board.
Local residents or agencies wishing to refer themselves or clients for tenancy at the rooming house should contact Tri-CAP’s Mobile Homeless Outreach Team at 110 Pleasant St. in Malden, or by calling the Team at (781) 322-4125.

Stable URL: http://www.wickedlocal.com/malden/news/x220426316/Tri-Cap-opens-new-rooming-house

SourceWicked Local, Malden wickedlocal.com/malden

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