Empower Yourself With MBHP`s New ROOTs Workshops CAREER

Back to School is Back to Cool!
The Boston Public Health Commission
is partnering with neighborhood
organizations to offer free backpacks
to Boston residents. To be eligible,
students must attend a Boston public
school. Due to limited supplies, only
one backpack per family will be
issued. Backpacks will be given out
on a first come–first serve basis and
therefore families are not guaranteed
a backpack. Stop by an event near
you to pick up a free book bag and
supplies:
Orchard Gardens
Community Center
2 Dearborn Street, Roxbury
Thursday, September 2, 1 to 6 p.m.
Youth Back to School Day
Bowdoin Street Health Center
230 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester
Thursday, August 26, 3 to 6 p.m.
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Farmers’ Market
Upham’s Corner Health Center
415 Columbia Road, Dorchester
Monday, August 30, 1 to 6 p.m.
Back to School Celebration
Boston Public Health
Commission—Mattapan
249 River Street, Mattapan
Saturday, September 11,
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Health Revival, sponsored by the
Mattapan Community Health Center
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Information and resources for program participants and their families
T
O
DID YOU KNOW?
MBHP does a lot of work directly with individuals and families in need of housing assistance, but
did you know that MBHP is also working at the city, state and national level to make affordable housing more available for all?
MBHP works tirelessly with elected officials and leading advocacy organizations to help shape legislation that will make housing
stability a reality for more people. We are advocating for you!
FUN FALL TRIVIA!
Work, Work, Work
Labor Day in the U.S. is celebrated on the first Monday in
September, and was born out of
the organized labor movement.
President Grover Cleveland
signed the legislation for
observance of Labor Day back in
1894. In 1842, Boston ship
carpenters won an 8-hour work
day, but it wasn’t until 1916 that
the 8-hour work day was firmly
established with the passage of
the Adamson Act.
Jack O’Lantern Facts
Jack O'Lanterns were initially carved
from turnips in Ireland and Scotland.
Upon arriving in America, immigrants
switched to using the bigger and softer
pumpkin, which was a native gourd.
In 2006, Boston, Massachusetts,
broke the record for the
most Jack O’Lanterns
assembled in one
place when 30,128
pumpkins were
lit at once.
MBHP Recipe Challenge
Congratulations to Janice Westerman,
winner of this issue’s MBHP Recipe
Challenge (and a $50 gift certificate
to Stop and Shop)! She won with a
delicious beef stew recipe. Check it
out below.
Janice’s Beef Stew
2 lbs chuck beef (cut into chunks)
4 carrots
1 turnip
2 onions
4 stalks of celery
4 potatoes
1 can V-8 juice
1 bay leaf
3 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
Brown meat in a large, heavy pot.
Fill pot halfway with water. Pour in
can of V-8 juice and add bay leaf,
thyme and rosemary. Bring to boil
and simmer. Peel all vegetables and
cut into chunks. Add vegetables
after meat has been stewing for two
hours. Simmer for an additional
hour and then serve. Salt and
pepper to taste.
Do You Love to Cook?
Do you have any family
recipes that you’d like to
share? Send them our way to
get published in the @Home
newsletter! If we publish your
recipe, you will get a $50 gift
certificate to Stop & Shop.
Email your recipe to:
info@mbhp.org,
Or mail it to:
MBHP Recipe Challenge
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
m bhp@ home • Page 5
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
FALL 2012
Empower Yourself With MBHP’s New R.O.O.T.s Workshops
Dates and times are subject to change.
Please check www.bphc.org for
updates. Or, for more information,
contact Eugenia Lowery at
elowery@bphc.org or (617) 534-2275.
Grove Hall
320A Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester
Wednesday, September 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
Back to School Community BBQ
(Parking lot in rear)
mbhp@home
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
mbhp @home • Pa ge 6
ne of the most successful ways
to help families and individuals
overcome housing issues is through
empowerment. Each month, MBHP
holds several free workshops on a
variety of subjects, offering the tools,
resources and information people
need to achieve housing stability.
Regular monthly workshops include
ones that deal with how best to
search for housing, others on how
to effectively manage utilities, and
general informational workshops on
affordable housing. See the box on
page 4 for our current workshop
listings.
One of MBHP’s newest workshop series’ is R.O.O.T.s (Realizing
Our Opportunities Together series),
an eight week family-centered series
of educational workshops designed
to empower and inform families,
while also creating a welcoming
peer support system for parents.
Workshop subjects for the series are
varied, ranging from topics like
budgeting and financial planning to
child development and allergies/
asthma in the home. They are all
designed to provide pathways
towards stability. “R.O.O.T.s was
such a great experience,” says Erika
Martinez who attended the first
series this past summer. “It was
really helpful to learn about things
like financial fitness practices and
how to reduce the amount of
allergens in your house, but the most
rewarding part was meeting other
families and sharing your stories
with them. I still am in contact with
those families. We talk all the time.”
Creating a space and forum for
families to interact and support each
other was one of the major goals of
the R.O.O.T.s. workshops, and in
R.O.O.T.s. workshop graduates Erika
Martinez (far left) and Trent Woodward
(far right) proudly display their certificates with MBHP staffers Theresa DiPietro
and Matthew Gibson.
that regard it seems clear that MBHP
succeeded. We are currently planning another R.O.O.T.s workshop
series for the fall. Please contact
Matthew Gibson at (617) 425-6773
for more information.
CAREER SPOTLIGHT: Job Training Programs that Work!
Year Up Boston
What: Year Up is a free, one-year
intensive training and education
program in which students earn a
weekly stipend. The first six months
of the program focus on technical
and professional skill-building, while
the second six months focus on
applying these skills through corporate internships at places like Bank
of America, Google, and Children’s
Hospital. Students also earn up to 18
college credits.
When: Mon.– Fri., 8:30 a.m.– 3:30
p.m.; classes begin every March and
September
Where: 93 Summer Street (near
Downtown Crossing and South
Station)
Who: Must be a highly motivated 1824 year old with a high school
diploma or GED
For more information, call (617)
542-1533.
80% of Year Up graduates work in
professional positions earning an
average of $30,000/year within 4
months of completing the program.
YMCA Training, Inc.
What: A free 20-week job training
program including four weeks of
core skills (e.g., computer and
business skills), four weeks of
specialization (e.g., Administrative
Assistant/Office Support, Financial
Services, Insurance, Medical Office
Support), four weeks of office
simulations, and eight weeks in an
internship
When: Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
next session will be Aug. 21st,
followed by another on Nov. 27th
Where: 18 Tremont Street, Suite 400,
Boston, MA 02108
Who: Must have a high school
diploma or GED and a proficient
level of English
For more information, call Leigh
Payne Hewlett at (617) 542-1800,
ext. 128.
50% of the internships result in job
offers.
Over 80% of graduates find jobs. Staff
will work with graduates for as long
as they need to find employment.
w w w. m bh p. org • ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Myths
T
he FSS program is a great opportunity for Section 8 tenants,
linking program participants with
asset development and goal setting
opportunities. FSS provides assistance
that will help anyone achieve their
goals, from furthering education and
career development, to improving
credit, and/or working toward homeownership. Throughout the years
we have noticed there are some
common misconceptions about the
FSS program. Let’s dispel some of
those myths.
Myth: You must be employed to
join the program.
No. All you need to be eligible for
enrollment in the FSS program is a
HCVP (Section 8) voucher from
MBHP, and be considered a tenant in
good standing. Over the course of a
participant’s time in the program, the
FSS advisors will help a participant
secure employment (if not already
employed) or a higher paying job so
that they can successfully graduate
the program at the end of their
contract.
Myth: The Family Self Sufficiency
Program will buy you a home.
No, but being enrolled in the Family
Self Sufficiency program may give
you the opportunity to save money,
which can be used toward buying a
home. Here’s how it works—Each
FSS participant gets set up with a
savings account after signing their
contract. As you move through the
program and take advantage of the
career tools and resources provided,
your income tends to improve. The
amount of funds deposited in the
account is determined by the increase
in your wages. When you successfully complete the program, you will
receive the money in your FSS
account. Last year, the average
Boston Before and After School Program Guide
ABOUT MBHP
MEET MBHP: Malcolm Lucas
T
Each year, MBHP celebrates its FSS graduates with a family-friendly graduation ceremony.
amount graduates received from
their account exceeded $15,000.
These funds can be used toward
future homeownership!
Myth: Graduating from FSS
means you lose your Section 8
voucher.
No. Graduating from the FSS program does not affect your voucher.
However, just like any Section 8
voucher holder, if you began earning
enough income to pay full market
rent for six months, you would move
on from the voucher program. Yet in
that scenario, no longer needing the
voucher to pay rent would be
considered a huge success.
Myth: FSS gives you free money.
No. The FSS program doesn’t give
you free money, but our participants
can earn additional money by
pursuing further employment and
increasing income during their time
in the program. As your earnings
increase, the funds in your FSS
savings account increase. That
money can be accessed upon
graduation of the program.
m bhp@ home • Page 2
Tonya Marshall (left), recent graduate
from the FSS program, took great
advantage of the resources and tools
offered by the program. She’s pictured
here with her FSS advisor, David Kelley.
Photo by Bethany Versoy
If you are interested in participating,
contact Jamie DeLude at (617)
425-6701 or fss@mbhp.org. Also, look
on the www.mbhp.org website under
the FSS tab for application materials!
Si Usted habla español y le gustaría
aprender mas sobre FSS, por favor
llame a Yamaira Perez (617)
425-6644; email yamaira.perez@
mbhp.org.
his month, we feature Malcolm
Lucas, Case Manager Specialist,
who has been with MBHP since
2009. Malcolm is passionate about
his desire to help others break the
cycle of poverty, his family, and his
love of martial arts and basketball.
thriving. In addition to working at
MBHP, I’ve been teaching a free
martial arts class for the past two
years at a local community center in
Roxbury to encourage others to be
both physically and spiritually
stronger.
Accomplishments: I grew up in the
neighborhood of Roxbury as the
eldest of four children. As a single
parent, my mother did the best she
could for us, but the area we lived in
was very negative. Crime was high
and we feared gang violence. The
odds seemed to be stacked against
me—statistically I wasn’t supposed
to make it. Given these challenges,
I’m proud that I was able to succeed
in life. I had several strong influences
growing up, both in my mother and
in a neighbor who was a photog­
rapher. He served as a kind of
mentor for me: he introduced me
and my siblings to art and made sure
we stayed out of trouble.
Hobby: I love basketball. I’ve been
playing since high school and also
love watching games.
Traits I Value: I most value loyalty
and integrity. I like people who
follow through on what they say
they’re going to do.
ensure that as a family we are able
to break the cycle of poverty. I
believe that it’s my calling in life to
help empower others and to give
back to my community. As part of
my position at MBHP, I work in the
same neighborhood that I grew up
in, and I like being able to see my
neighbors succeed and their children
On My Work: My background is
working with children in the foster
care system and juveniles involved
with the Department of Youth
Services. Several years ago I was out
of work and kept running across a
position for a housing specialist at
MBHP. I wasn’t sure if I had the
skills to be successful in this role,
but I wanted to try. For almost three
years now I’ve been a part of MBHP
and I love it. To me the agency feels
like a family. MBHP has a strong
focus on building relationships with
their staff and the families they
serve, and I appreciate that. I really
just love to help—it’s my calling.
City of Boston Resources
Boston Centers for Youth
and Families
www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf
(617) 635-4920
Boston Medical Center
Pediatric Clinic
www.bmc.org/pediatrics
(617) 414-5946
Boston Parks and Recreation
Department
www.cityofboston.gov/parks
(617) 635-4505
Boston Public Library
www.bpl.org
(617) 536-5400
Boston Public Schools
http://boston.k12.ma.us
(617) 635-9000
Department of Extended Learning
Time After School and Services
(617) 635-1578
Child Care Choices of Boston
www.childcarechoicesofboston.org
(617) 542-5437
Countdown to Kindergarten
www.countdowntokindergarten.org
(617) 635-3276
Mayor’s Youthline
www.bostonyouthzone.com
(617) 635-2240
Boston Sports, Arts, and
Environmental Programs
www.bostonavigator.org
State Resources for Families
Massachusetts Department of
Early Education and Care
www.eec.state.ma.us
(617) 472-2881
Massachusetts Department
of Transitional Assistance
www.mass.gov/dta
(800) 445-6604
Massachusetts Department
of Elementary and
Secondary Education
www.doe.mass.edu
(781) 338-3000
Planning Ahead for Winter Heating Costs
Most Exotic Place I’ve Visited: My
wife and I went to Hawaii on our
honeymoon. We’ll be married twelve
years in August.
We may still be in the dog days of summer, but winter will be here before you
know it, and in Massachusetts, that means dealing with heating costs. There are
several options available to families and individuals in need of payment
assistance. Some programs require early enrollment, so don’t wait!
Place I’d Like to Visit: I’d really like
to go to China. I’m intrigued by the
people and the culture, especially
martial arts. I’ve been training in
kung fu for 18 years and would love
to learn more about where this art
form comes from. (Malcolm has a
black belt!)
Motivation: I’m motivated by my
family—my wife and three daughters.
I hope and pray that I always do
right by them, and I work hard to
Check out these resources to find
out about before and after school
opportunities for children in and
around Boston.
1) Get on a payment plan.
Most energy companies allow you
to set up a fixed payment plan so
those mid-winter fuel bills aren’t so
high. Ask your energy company’s
customer service for information.
2) Check out Mass Save.
Residents of the Commonwealth may
be eligible for assistance and discounts
through Mass Save. For more information, visit www.massave.com or call
1-866-537-7267
3) Look into government resources.
Resources lile the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Go to www.massresources.org/liheap.
html to find out more.
Much of Malcolm’s time is spent a working with clients off-site. Here he is at the
Family Nurturing Center.
mbhp @home • Pa ge 3
m bh p@ h om e • Page 4
Tenant Workshops
All MBHP workshops are free, but
reservations are recommended.
To attend, call (617) 425-6605 or
e-mail workshops@mbhp.org. For
accommodation requests including
sign language interpreters, the use
of the building wheelchair platform
lift, or the need for an interpreter,
contact us at least three weeks
prior to the date of the workshop.
Affordable Housing 101
September 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-and-a-half-hour workshop
is for tenants seeking information
about criteria, wait lists, and how to
apply for affordable housing.
Apartment Search Workshop
September 19 or October 17
10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-hour workshop provides
tenants with recommendations
and information about finding a
market-rate apartment.
Utilities Workshop
September 19 or October 17
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The one-hour workshop provides
information on energy discounts,
fuel assistance, payment plans and
conservation practices.
Partnering with Rosie!
MBHP has begun working with our
colleagues and the women at
Rosie’s Place, offering education,
counseling, and assistance with
maintaining and restoring utility
services and helping individuals
and families experiencing homelessness move into new units. A
key component of the program is
our monthly Utility Management
Workshop on the third Wednesday
of the month from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at the MBHP office. All
MBHP tenants and program participants are welcome to attend this
free training opportunity! Call (617)
425-6605 for more information.
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Myths
T
he FSS program is a great opportunity for Section 8 tenants,
linking program participants with
asset development and goal setting
opportunities. FSS provides assistance
that will help anyone achieve their
goals, from furthering education and
career development, to improving
credit, and/or working toward homeownership. Throughout the years
we have noticed there are some
common misconceptions about the
FSS program. Let’s dispel some of
those myths.
Myth: You must be employed to
join the program.
No. All you need to be eligible for
enrollment in the FSS program is a
HCVP (Section 8) voucher from
MBHP, and be considered a tenant in
good standing. Over the course of a
participant’s time in the program, the
FSS advisors will help a participant
secure employment (if not already
employed) or a higher paying job so
that they can successfully graduate
the program at the end of their
contract.
Myth: The Family Self Sufficiency
Program will buy you a home.
No, but being enrolled in the Family
Self Sufficiency program may give
you the opportunity to save money,
which can be used toward buying a
home. Here’s how it works—Each
FSS participant gets set up with a
savings account after signing their
contract. As you move through the
program and take advantage of the
career tools and resources provided,
your income tends to improve. The
amount of funds deposited in the
account is determined by the increase
in your wages. When you successfully complete the program, you will
receive the money in your FSS
account. Last year, the average
Boston Before and After School Program Guide
ABOUT MBHP
MEET MBHP: Malcolm Lucas
T
Each year, MBHP celebrates its FSS graduates with a family-friendly graduation ceremony.
amount graduates received from
their account exceeded $15,000.
These funds can be used toward
future homeownership!
Myth: Graduating from FSS
means you lose your Section 8
voucher.
No. Graduating from the FSS program does not affect your voucher.
However, just like any Section 8
voucher holder, if you began earning
enough income to pay full market
rent for six months, you would move
on from the voucher program. Yet in
that scenario, no longer needing the
voucher to pay rent would be
considered a huge success.
Myth: FSS gives you free money.
No. The FSS program doesn’t give
you free money, but our participants
can earn additional money by
pursuing further employment and
increasing income during their time
in the program. As your earnings
increase, the funds in your FSS
savings account increase. That
money can be accessed upon
graduation of the program.
m bhp@ home • Page 2
Tonya Marshall (left), recent graduate
from the FSS program, took great
advantage of the resources and tools
offered by the program. She’s pictured
here with her FSS advisor, David Kelley.
Photo by Bethany Versoy
If you are interested in participating,
contact Jamie DeLude at (617)
425-6701 or fss@mbhp.org. Also, look
on the www.mbhp.org website under
the FSS tab for application materials!
Si Usted habla español y le gustaría
aprender mas sobre FSS, por favor
llame a Yamaira Perez (617)
425-6644; email yamaira.perez@
mbhp.org.
his month, we feature Malcolm
Lucas, Case Manager Specialist,
who has been with MBHP since
2009. Malcolm is passionate about
his desire to help others break the
cycle of poverty, his family, and his
love of martial arts and basketball.
thriving. In addition to working at
MBHP, I’ve been teaching a free
martial arts class for the past two
years at a local community center in
Roxbury to encourage others to be
both physically and spiritually
stronger.
Accomplishments: I grew up in the
neighborhood of Roxbury as the
eldest of four children. As a single
parent, my mother did the best she
could for us, but the area we lived in
was very negative. Crime was high
and we feared gang violence. The
odds seemed to be stacked against
me—statistically I wasn’t supposed
to make it. Given these challenges,
I’m proud that I was able to succeed
in life. I had several strong influences
growing up, both in my mother and
in a neighbor who was a photog­
rapher. He served as a kind of
mentor for me: he introduced me
and my siblings to art and made sure
we stayed out of trouble.
Hobby: I love basketball. I’ve been
playing since high school and also
love watching games.
Traits I Value: I most value loyalty
and integrity. I like people who
follow through on what they say
they’re going to do.
ensure that as a family we are able
to break the cycle of poverty. I
believe that it’s my calling in life to
help empower others and to give
back to my community. As part of
my position at MBHP, I work in the
same neighborhood that I grew up
in, and I like being able to see my
neighbors succeed and their children
On My Work: My background is
working with children in the foster
care system and juveniles involved
with the Department of Youth
Services. Several years ago I was out
of work and kept running across a
position for a housing specialist at
MBHP. I wasn’t sure if I had the
skills to be successful in this role,
but I wanted to try. For almost three
years now I’ve been a part of MBHP
and I love it. To me the agency feels
like a family. MBHP has a strong
focus on building relationships with
their staff and the families they
serve, and I appreciate that. I really
just love to help—it’s my calling.
City of Boston Resources
Boston Centers for Youth
and Families
www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf
(617) 635-4920
Boston Medical Center
Pediatric Clinic
www.bmc.org/pediatrics
(617) 414-5946
Boston Parks and Recreation
Department
www.cityofboston.gov/parks
(617) 635-4505
Boston Public Library
www.bpl.org
(617) 536-5400
Boston Public Schools
http://boston.k12.ma.us
(617) 635-9000
Department of Extended Learning
Time After School and Services
(617) 635-1578
Child Care Choices of Boston
www.childcarechoicesofboston.org
(617) 542-5437
Countdown to Kindergarten
www.countdowntokindergarten.org
(617) 635-3276
Mayor’s Youthline
www.bostonyouthzone.com
(617) 635-2240
Boston Sports, Arts, and
Environmental Programs
www.bostonavigator.org
State Resources for Families
Massachusetts Department of
Early Education and Care
www.eec.state.ma.us
(617) 472-2881
Massachusetts Department
of Transitional Assistance
www.mass.gov/dta
(800) 445-6604
Massachusetts Department
of Elementary and
Secondary Education
www.doe.mass.edu
(781) 338-3000
Planning Ahead for Winter Heating Costs
Most Exotic Place I’ve Visited: My
wife and I went to Hawaii on our
honeymoon. We’ll be married twelve
years in August.
We may still be in the dog days of summer, but winter will be here before you
know it, and in Massachusetts, that means dealing with heating costs. There are
several options available to families and individuals in need of payment
assistance. Some programs require early enrollment, so don’t wait!
Place I’d Like to Visit: I’d really like
to go to China. I’m intrigued by the
people and the culture, especially
martial arts. I’ve been training in
kung fu for 18 years and would love
to learn more about where this art
form comes from. (Malcolm has a
black belt!)
Motivation: I’m motivated by my
family—my wife and three daughters.
I hope and pray that I always do
right by them, and I work hard to
Check out these resources to find
out about before and after school
opportunities for children in and
around Boston.
1) Get on a payment plan.
Most energy companies allow you
to set up a fixed payment plan so
those mid-winter fuel bills aren’t so
high. Ask your energy company’s
customer service for information.
2) Check out Mass Save.
Residents of the Commonwealth may
be eligible for assistance and discounts
through Mass Save. For more information, visit www.massave.com or call
1-866-537-7267
3) Look into government resources.
Resources lile the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Go to www.massresources.org/liheap.
html to find out more.
Much of Malcolm’s time is spent a working with clients off-site. Here he is at the
Family Nurturing Center.
mbhp @home • Pa ge 3
m bh p@ h om e • Page 4
Tenant Workshops
All MBHP workshops are free, but
reservations are recommended.
To attend, call (617) 425-6605 or
e-mail workshops@mbhp.org. For
accommodation requests including
sign language interpreters, the use
of the building wheelchair platform
lift, or the need for an interpreter,
contact us at least three weeks
prior to the date of the workshop.
Affordable Housing 101
September 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-and-a-half-hour workshop
is for tenants seeking information
about criteria, wait lists, and how to
apply for affordable housing.
Apartment Search Workshop
September 19 or October 17
10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-hour workshop provides
tenants with recommendations
and information about finding a
market-rate apartment.
Utilities Workshop
September 19 or October 17
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The one-hour workshop provides
information on energy discounts,
fuel assistance, payment plans and
conservation practices.
Partnering with Rosie!
MBHP has begun working with our
colleagues and the women at
Rosie’s Place, offering education,
counseling, and assistance with
maintaining and restoring utility
services and helping individuals
and families experiencing homelessness move into new units. A
key component of the program is
our monthly Utility Management
Workshop on the third Wednesday
of the month from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at the MBHP office. All
MBHP tenants and program participants are welcome to attend this
free training opportunity! Call (617)
425-6605 for more information.
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Myths
T
he FSS program is a great opportunity for Section 8 tenants,
linking program participants with
asset development and goal setting
opportunities. FSS provides assistance
that will help anyone achieve their
goals, from furthering education and
career development, to improving
credit, and/or working toward homeownership. Throughout the years
we have noticed there are some
common misconceptions about the
FSS program. Let’s dispel some of
those myths.
Myth: You must be employed to
join the program.
No. All you need to be eligible for
enrollment in the FSS program is a
HCVP (Section 8) voucher from
MBHP, and be considered a tenant in
good standing. Over the course of a
participant’s time in the program, the
FSS advisors will help a participant
secure employment (if not already
employed) or a higher paying job so
that they can successfully graduate
the program at the end of their
contract.
Myth: The Family Self Sufficiency
Program will buy you a home.
No, but being enrolled in the Family
Self Sufficiency program may give
you the opportunity to save money,
which can be used toward buying a
home. Here’s how it works—Each
FSS participant gets set up with a
savings account after signing their
contract. As you move through the
program and take advantage of the
career tools and resources provided,
your income tends to improve. The
amount of funds deposited in the
account is determined by the increase
in your wages. When you successfully complete the program, you will
receive the money in your FSS
account. Last year, the average
Boston Before and After School Program Guide
ABOUT MBHP
MEET MBHP: Malcolm Lucas
T
Each year, MBHP celebrates its FSS graduates with a family-friendly graduation ceremony.
amount graduates received from
their account exceeded $15,000.
These funds can be used toward
future homeownership!
Myth: Graduating from FSS
means you lose your Section 8
voucher.
No. Graduating from the FSS program does not affect your voucher.
However, just like any Section 8
voucher holder, if you began earning
enough income to pay full market
rent for six months, you would move
on from the voucher program. Yet in
that scenario, no longer needing the
voucher to pay rent would be
considered a huge success.
Myth: FSS gives you free money.
No. The FSS program doesn’t give
you free money, but our participants
can earn additional money by
pursuing further employment and
increasing income during their time
in the program. As your earnings
increase, the funds in your FSS
savings account increase. That
money can be accessed upon
graduation of the program.
m bhp@ home • Page 2
Tonya Marshall (left), recent graduate
from the FSS program, took great
advantage of the resources and tools
offered by the program. She’s pictured
here with her FSS advisor, David Kelley.
Photo by Bethany Versoy
If you are interested in participating,
contact Jamie DeLude at (617)
425-6701 or fss@mbhp.org. Also, look
on the www.mbhp.org website under
the FSS tab for application materials!
Si Usted habla español y le gustaría
aprender mas sobre FSS, por favor
llame a Yamaira Perez (617)
425-6644; email yamaira.perez@
mbhp.org.
his month, we feature Malcolm
Lucas, Case Manager Specialist,
who has been with MBHP since
2009. Malcolm is passionate about
his desire to help others break the
cycle of poverty, his family, and his
love of martial arts and basketball.
thriving. In addition to working at
MBHP, I’ve been teaching a free
martial arts class for the past two
years at a local community center in
Roxbury to encourage others to be
both physically and spiritually
stronger.
Accomplishments: I grew up in the
neighborhood of Roxbury as the
eldest of four children. As a single
parent, my mother did the best she
could for us, but the area we lived in
was very negative. Crime was high
and we feared gang violence. The
odds seemed to be stacked against
me—statistically I wasn’t supposed
to make it. Given these challenges,
I’m proud that I was able to succeed
in life. I had several strong influences
growing up, both in my mother and
in a neighbor who was a photog­
rapher. He served as a kind of
mentor for me: he introduced me
and my siblings to art and made sure
we stayed out of trouble.
Hobby: I love basketball. I’ve been
playing since high school and also
love watching games.
Traits I Value: I most value loyalty
and integrity. I like people who
follow through on what they say
they’re going to do.
ensure that as a family we are able
to break the cycle of poverty. I
believe that it’s my calling in life to
help empower others and to give
back to my community. As part of
my position at MBHP, I work in the
same neighborhood that I grew up
in, and I like being able to see my
neighbors succeed and their children
On My Work: My background is
working with children in the foster
care system and juveniles involved
with the Department of Youth
Services. Several years ago I was out
of work and kept running across a
position for a housing specialist at
MBHP. I wasn’t sure if I had the
skills to be successful in this role,
but I wanted to try. For almost three
years now I’ve been a part of MBHP
and I love it. To me the agency feels
like a family. MBHP has a strong
focus on building relationships with
their staff and the families they
serve, and I appreciate that. I really
just love to help—it’s my calling.
City of Boston Resources
Boston Centers for Youth
and Families
www.cityofboston.gov/bcyf
(617) 635-4920
Boston Medical Center
Pediatric Clinic
www.bmc.org/pediatrics
(617) 414-5946
Boston Parks and Recreation
Department
www.cityofboston.gov/parks
(617) 635-4505
Boston Public Library
www.bpl.org
(617) 536-5400
Boston Public Schools
http://boston.k12.ma.us
(617) 635-9000
Department of Extended Learning
Time After School and Services
(617) 635-1578
Child Care Choices of Boston
www.childcarechoicesofboston.org
(617) 542-5437
Countdown to Kindergarten
www.countdowntokindergarten.org
(617) 635-3276
Mayor’s Youthline
www.bostonyouthzone.com
(617) 635-2240
Boston Sports, Arts, and
Environmental Programs
www.bostonavigator.org
State Resources for Families
Massachusetts Department of
Early Education and Care
www.eec.state.ma.us
(617) 472-2881
Massachusetts Department
of Transitional Assistance
www.mass.gov/dta
(800) 445-6604
Massachusetts Department
of Elementary and
Secondary Education
www.doe.mass.edu
(781) 338-3000
Planning Ahead for Winter Heating Costs
Most Exotic Place I’ve Visited: My
wife and I went to Hawaii on our
honeymoon. We’ll be married twelve
years in August.
We may still be in the dog days of summer, but winter will be here before you
know it, and in Massachusetts, that means dealing with heating costs. There are
several options available to families and individuals in need of payment
assistance. Some programs require early enrollment, so don’t wait!
Place I’d Like to Visit: I’d really like
to go to China. I’m intrigued by the
people and the culture, especially
martial arts. I’ve been training in
kung fu for 18 years and would love
to learn more about where this art
form comes from. (Malcolm has a
black belt!)
Motivation: I’m motivated by my
family—my wife and three daughters.
I hope and pray that I always do
right by them, and I work hard to
Check out these resources to find
out about before and after school
opportunities for children in and
around Boston.
1) Get on a payment plan.
Most energy companies allow you
to set up a fixed payment plan so
those mid-winter fuel bills aren’t so
high. Ask your energy company’s
customer service for information.
2) Check out Mass Save.
Residents of the Commonwealth may
be eligible for assistance and discounts
through Mass Save. For more information, visit www.massave.com or call
1-866-537-7267
3) Look into government resources.
Resources lile the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Go to www.massresources.org/liheap.
html to find out more.
Much of Malcolm’s time is spent a working with clients off-site. Here he is at the
Family Nurturing Center.
mbhp @home • Pa ge 3
m bh p@ h om e • Page 4
Tenant Workshops
All MBHP workshops are free, but
reservations are recommended.
To attend, call (617) 425-6605 or
e-mail workshops@mbhp.org. For
accommodation requests including
sign language interpreters, the use
of the building wheelchair platform
lift, or the need for an interpreter,
contact us at least three weeks
prior to the date of the workshop.
Affordable Housing 101
September 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-and-a-half-hour workshop
is for tenants seeking information
about criteria, wait lists, and how to
apply for affordable housing.
Apartment Search Workshop
September 19 or October 17
10 – 11:30 a.m.
This one-hour workshop provides
tenants with recommendations
and information about finding a
market-rate apartment.
Utilities Workshop
September 19 or October 17
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The one-hour workshop provides
information on energy discounts,
fuel assistance, payment plans and
conservation practices.
Partnering with Rosie!
MBHP has begun working with our
colleagues and the women at
Rosie’s Place, offering education,
counseling, and assistance with
maintaining and restoring utility
services and helping individuals
and families experiencing homelessness move into new units. A
key component of the program is
our monthly Utility Management
Workshop on the third Wednesday
of the month from 11:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. at the MBHP office. All
MBHP tenants and program participants are welcome to attend this
free training opportunity! Call (617)
425-6605 for more information.
Back to School is Back to Cool!
The Boston Public Health Commission
is partnering with neighborhood
organizations to offer free backpacks
to Boston residents. To be eligible,
students must attend a Boston public
school. Due to limited supplies, only
one backpack per family will be
issued. Backpacks will be given out
on a first come–first serve basis and
therefore families are not guaranteed
a backpack. Stop by an event near
you to pick up a free book bag and
supplies:
Orchard Gardens
Community Center
2 Dearborn Street, Roxbury
Thursday, September 2, 1 to 6 p.m.
Youth Back to School Day
Bowdoin Street Health Center
230 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester
Thursday, August 26, 3 to 6 p.m.
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Farmers’ Market
Upham’s Corner Health Center
415 Columbia Road, Dorchester
Monday, August 30, 1 to 6 p.m.
Back to School Celebration
Boston Public Health
Commission—Mattapan
249 River Street, Mattapan
Saturday, September 11,
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Health Revival, sponsored by the
Mattapan Community Health Center
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Information and resources for program participants and their families
T
O
DID YOU KNOW?
MBHP does a lot of work directly with individuals and families in need of housing assistance, but
did you know that MBHP is also working at the city, state and national level to make affordable housing more available for all?
MBHP works tirelessly with elected officials and leading advocacy organizations to help shape legislation that will make housing
stability a reality for more people. We are advocating for you!
FUN FALL TRIVIA!
Work, Work, Work
Labor Day in the U.S. is celebrated on the first Monday in
September, and was born out of
the organized labor movement.
President Grover Cleveland
signed the legislation for
observance of Labor Day back in
1894. In 1842, Boston ship
carpenters won an 8-hour work
day, but it wasn’t until 1916 that
the 8-hour work day was firmly
established with the passage of
the Adamson Act.
Jack O’Lantern Facts
Jack O'Lanterns were initially carved
from turnips in Ireland and Scotland.
Upon arriving in America, immigrants
switched to using the bigger and softer
pumpkin, which was a native gourd.
In 2006, Boston, Massachusetts,
broke the record for the
most Jack O’Lanterns
assembled in one
place when 30,128
pumpkins were
lit at once.
MBHP Recipe Challenge
Congratulations to Janice Westerman,
winner of this issue’s MBHP Recipe
Challenge (and a $50 gift certificate
to Stop and Shop)! She won with a
delicious beef stew recipe. Check it
out below.
Janice’s Beef Stew
2 lbs chuck beef (cut into chunks)
4 carrots
1 turnip
2 onions
4 stalks of celery
4 potatoes
1 can V-8 juice
1 bay leaf
3 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
Brown meat in a large, heavy pot.
Fill pot halfway with water. Pour in
can of V-8 juice and add bay leaf,
thyme and rosemary. Bring to boil
and simmer. Peel all vegetables and
cut into chunks. Add vegetables
after meat has been stewing for two
hours. Simmer for an additional
hour and then serve. Salt and
pepper to taste.
Do You Love to Cook?
Do you have any family
recipes that you’d like to
share? Send them our way to
get published in the @Home
newsletter! If we publish your
recipe, you will get a $50 gift
certificate to Stop & Shop.
Email your recipe to:
info@mbhp.org,
Or mail it to:
MBHP Recipe Challenge
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
m bhp@ home • Page 5
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
FALL 2012
Empower Yourself With MBHP’s New R.O.O.T.s Workshops
Dates and times are subject to change.
Please check www.bphc.org for
updates. Or, for more information,
contact Eugenia Lowery at
elowery@bphc.org or (617) 534-2275.
Grove Hall
320A Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester
Wednesday, September 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
Back to School Community BBQ
(Parking lot in rear)
mbhp@home
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
mbhp @home • Pa ge 6
ne of the most successful ways
to help families and individuals
overcome housing issues is through
empowerment. Each month, MBHP
holds several free workshops on a
variety of subjects, offering the tools,
resources and information people
need to achieve housing stability.
Regular monthly workshops include
ones that deal with how best to
search for housing, others on how
to effectively manage utilities, and
general informational workshops on
affordable housing. See the box on
page 4 for our current workshop
listings.
One of MBHP’s newest workshop series’ is R.O.O.T.s (Realizing
Our Opportunities Together series),
an eight week family-centered series
of educational workshops designed
to empower and inform families,
while also creating a welcoming
peer support system for parents.
Workshop subjects for the series are
varied, ranging from topics like
budgeting and financial planning to
child development and allergies/
asthma in the home. They are all
designed to provide pathways
towards stability. “R.O.O.T.s was
such a great experience,” says Erika
Martinez who attended the first
series this past summer. “It was
really helpful to learn about things
like financial fitness practices and
how to reduce the amount of
allergens in your house, but the most
rewarding part was meeting other
families and sharing your stories
with them. I still am in contact with
those families. We talk all the time.”
Creating a space and forum for
families to interact and support each
other was one of the major goals of
the R.O.O.T.s. workshops, and in
R.O.O.T.s. workshop graduates Erika
Martinez (far left) and Trent Woodward
(far right) proudly display their certificates with MBHP staffers Theresa DiPietro
and Matthew Gibson.
that regard it seems clear that MBHP
succeeded. We are currently planning another R.O.O.T.s workshop
series for the fall. Please contact
Matthew Gibson at (617) 425-6773
for more information.
CAREER SPOTLIGHT: Job Training Programs that Work!
Year Up Boston
What: Year Up is a free, one-year
intensive training and education
program in which students earn a
weekly stipend. The first six months
of the program focus on technical
and professional skill-building, while
the second six months focus on
applying these skills through corporate internships at places like Bank
of America, Google, and Children’s
Hospital. Students also earn up to 18
college credits.
When: Mon.– Fri., 8:30 a.m.– 3:30
p.m.; classes begin every March and
September
Where: 93 Summer Street (near
Downtown Crossing and South
Station)
Who: Must be a highly motivated 1824 year old with a high school
diploma or GED
For more information, call (617)
542-1533.
80% of Year Up graduates work in
professional positions earning an
average of $30,000/year within 4
months of completing the program.
YMCA Training, Inc.
What: A free 20-week job training
program including four weeks of
core skills (e.g., computer and
business skills), four weeks of
specialization (e.g., Administrative
Assistant/Office Support, Financial
Services, Insurance, Medical Office
Support), four weeks of office
simulations, and eight weeks in an
internship
When: Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
next session will be Aug. 21st,
followed by another on Nov. 27th
Where: 18 Tremont Street, Suite 400,
Boston, MA 02108
Who: Must have a high school
diploma or GED and a proficient
level of English
For more information, call Leigh
Payne Hewlett at (617) 542-1800,
ext. 128.
50% of the internships result in job
offers.
Over 80% of graduates find jobs. Staff
will work with graduates for as long
as they need to find employment.
w w w. m bh p. org • ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e
Back to School is Back to Cool!
The Boston Public Health Commission
is partnering with neighborhood
organizations to offer free backpacks
to Boston residents. To be eligible,
students must attend a Boston public
school. Due to limited supplies, only
one backpack per family will be
issued. Backpacks will be given out
on a first come–first serve basis and
therefore families are not guaranteed
a backpack. Stop by an event near
you to pick up a free book bag and
supplies:
Orchard Gardens
Community Center
2 Dearborn Street, Roxbury
Thursday, September 2, 1 to 6 p.m.
Youth Back to School Day
Bowdoin Street Health Center
230 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester
Thursday, August 26, 3 to 6 p.m.
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Farmers’ Market
Upham’s Corner Health Center
415 Columbia Road, Dorchester
Monday, August 30, 1 to 6 p.m.
Back to School Celebration
Boston Public Health
Commission—Mattapan
249 River Street, Mattapan
Saturday, September 11,
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Health Revival, sponsored by the
Mattapan Community Health Center
PAID
BOSTON, MA
PERMIT # 55356
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
(617) 859-0400 • www.mbhp.org
Information and resources for program participants and their families
T
O
DID YOU KNOW?
MBHP does a lot of work directly with individuals and families in need of housing assistance, but
did you know that MBHP is also working at the city, state and national level to make affordable housing more available for all?
MBHP works tirelessly with elected officials and leading advocacy organizations to help shape legislation that will make housing
stability a reality for more people. We are advocating for you!
FUN FALL TRIVIA!
Work, Work, Work
Labor Day in the U.S. is celebrated on the first Monday in
September, and was born out of
the organized labor movement.
President Grover Cleveland
signed the legislation for
observance of Labor Day back in
1894. In 1842, Boston ship
carpenters won an 8-hour work
day, but it wasn’t until 1916 that
the 8-hour work day was firmly
established with the passage of
the Adamson Act.
Jack O’Lantern Facts
Jack O'Lanterns were initially carved
from turnips in Ireland and Scotland.
Upon arriving in America, immigrants
switched to using the bigger and softer
pumpkin, which was a native gourd.
In 2006, Boston, Massachusetts,
broke the record for the
most Jack O’Lanterns
assembled in one
place when 30,128
pumpkins were
lit at once.
MBHP Recipe Challenge
Congratulations to Janice Westerman,
winner of this issue’s MBHP Recipe
Challenge (and a $50 gift certificate
to Stop and Shop)! She won with a
delicious beef stew recipe. Check it
out below.
Janice’s Beef Stew
2 lbs chuck beef (cut into chunks)
4 carrots
1 turnip
2 onions
4 stalks of celery
4 potatoes
1 can V-8 juice
1 bay leaf
3 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
Brown meat in a large, heavy pot.
Fill pot halfway with water. Pour in
can of V-8 juice and add bay leaf,
thyme and rosemary. Bring to boil
and simmer. Peel all vegetables and
cut into chunks. Add vegetables
after meat has been stewing for two
hours. Simmer for an additional
hour and then serve. Salt and
pepper to taste.
Do You Love to Cook?
Do you have any family
recipes that you’d like to
share? Send them our way to
get published in the @Home
newsletter! If we publish your
recipe, you will get a $50 gift
certificate to Stop & Shop.
Email your recipe to:
info@mbhp.org,
Or mail it to:
MBHP Recipe Challenge
125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02111-2503
m bhp@ home • Page 5
Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
FALL 2012
Empower Yourself With MBHP’s New R.O.O.T.s Workshops
Dates and times are subject to change.
Please check www.bphc.org for
updates. Or, for more information,
contact Eugenia Lowery at
elowery@bphc.org or (617) 534-2275.
Grove Hall
320A Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester
Wednesday, September 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
Back to School Community BBQ
(Parking lot in rear)
mbhp@home
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
mbhp @home • Pa ge 6
ne of the most successful ways
to help families and individuals
overcome housing issues is through
empowerment. Each month, MBHP
holds several free workshops on a
variety of subjects, offering the tools,
resources and information people
need to achieve housing stability.
Regular monthly workshops include
ones that deal with how best to
search for housing, others on how
to effectively manage utilities, and
general informational workshops on
affordable housing. See the box on
page 4 for our current workshop
listings.
One of MBHP’s newest workshop series’ is R.O.O.T.s (Realizing
Our Opportunities Together series),
an eight week family-centered series
of educational workshops designed
to empower and inform families,
while also creating a welcoming
peer support system for parents.
Workshop subjects for the series are
varied, ranging from topics like
budgeting and financial planning to
child development and allergies/
asthma in the home. They are all
designed to provide pathways
towards stability. “R.O.O.T.s was
such a great experience,” says Erika
Martinez who attended the first
series this past summer. “It was
really helpful to learn about things
like financial fitness practices and
how to reduce the amount of
allergens in your house, but the most
rewarding part was meeting other
families and sharing your stories
with them. I still am in contact with
those families. We talk all the time.”
Creating a space and forum for
families to interact and support each
other was one of the major goals of
the R.O.O.T.s. workshops, and in
R.O.O.T.s. workshop graduates Erika
Martinez (far left) and Trent Woodward
(far right) proudly display their certificates with MBHP staffers Theresa DiPietro
and Matthew Gibson.
that regard it seems clear that MBHP
succeeded. We are currently planning another R.O.O.T.s workshop
series for the fall. Please contact
Matthew Gibson at (617) 425-6773
for more information.
CAREER SPOTLIGHT: Job Training Programs that Work!
Year Up Boston
What: Year Up is a free, one-year
intensive training and education
program in which students earn a
weekly stipend. The first six months
of the program focus on technical
and professional skill-building, while
the second six months focus on
applying these skills through corporate internships at places like Bank
of America, Google, and Children’s
Hospital. Students also earn up to 18
college credits.
When: Mon.– Fri., 8:30 a.m.– 3:30
p.m.; classes begin every March and
September
Where: 93 Summer Street (near
Downtown Crossing and South
Station)
Who: Must be a highly motivated 1824 year old with a high school
diploma or GED
For more information, call (617)
542-1533.
80% of Year Up graduates work in
professional positions earning an
average of $30,000/year within 4
months of completing the program.
YMCA Training, Inc.
What: A free 20-week job training
program including four weeks of
core skills (e.g., computer and
business skills), four weeks of
specialization (e.g., Administrative
Assistant/Office Support, Financial
Services, Insurance, Medical Office
Support), four weeks of office
simulations, and eight weeks in an
internship
When: Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.;
next session will be Aug. 21st,
followed by another on Nov. 27th
Where: 18 Tremont Street, Suite 400,
Boston, MA 02108
Who: Must have a high school
diploma or GED and a proficient
level of English
For more information, call Leigh
Payne Hewlett at (617) 542-1800,
ext. 128.
50% of the internships result in job
offers.
Over 80% of graduates find jobs. Staff
will work with graduates for as long
as they need to find employment.
w w w. m bh p. org • ever yon e de s er ve s a place t o cal l h om e