Thursday, August 5, 2010

Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation Pledges $50,000 to ROOF


Newburyport, MA – The Institution for Savings, through its Charitable Foundation, has pledged $50,000 to Roof Over Head Collaborative (ROOF) to support ROOF's pioneering work of providing transitional housing to homeless families, announced Institution for Savings President Michael J. Jones today.

ROOF was founded in fall 2009 to address homelessness in the Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury area. A tax-exempt nonprofit, ROOF collaborates with local social service organizations that work with the homeless populations in the Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury area. ROOF conducts fundraising to acquire property, which will then be managed by a collaborating agency. ROOF's objective is to help homeless families live with dignity, gain stability, and move on with their lives.

“The mission of our Charitable Foundation is simple: to put our money into the hands of those in our communities who need it most,” said Mr. Jones in making the announcement. “We are fortunate to have this organization to provide such an important and needed service within our communities, and pleased that we can assist them in this way.”

"We are grateful to the Institution for Savings in helping us on the path to providing transitional housing for homeless children and their families," said ROOF Chairperson Norma Beit in announcing the grant. "The Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation's support solidifies the resolve of the many local people who have donated money, time, and talent during the past few months. ROOF is committed to impacting the lives of local homeless people, especially children, who are so traumatically impacted by homelessness."

Monday, June 28, 2010

ROOF Receives $30k Grant from Moseley Foundation

The trustees of the Edward S. and Winifred G. Moseley Foundation recently granted $30,000 to ROOF to support our pioneering work in providing transitional housing to homeless families.  The Moseley Foundation grant is the initial charitable contribution to ROOF.

"We are grateful to the Moseley Foundation for starting us on the path to providing transitional housing for homeless children and their families," said ROOF Chairperson Norma Beit.  "Moseley Foundation's support solidifies the resolve of the many local people who have donated money, time, and talent during the past few months.  ROOF is committed to improving the lives of local homeless people, especially children, who are so traumatically impacted by homelessness."

The Moseley Foundation limits its support to organizations that foster the health, education, safety, and welfare of children, with a particular emphasis on organizations within the greater Boston area.  The late Edward and Winifred Moseley of West Newbury, donors of the foundation, wanted grants to reflect their interests and values, such as the support of families and children in need. 

Monday, June 21, 2010

Spread the word about ROOF's next public meeting:

"Update on ROOF Activities and homelessness
in the Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury area"
June 30, 7:30 PM
Unitarian Church, Lower Level Meeting House
Pleasant Street, Newburyport

Ed Cameron, associate director of Housing and Homeless Services at Community Teamwork and a Newburyport city councilor, and Norma Beit, chairperson of ROOF, will speak, followed by refreshments and discussion. Bring a friend!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Breakfast a success

ROOF took its maiden voyage into the public sphere June 1 with a well attended informational breakfast in Newburyport. We were very encouraged by the attention, questions, and offers of help from the attendees.

As noted at the breakfast meeting, we are concluding our extensive and intensive review of local social service agencies. We expect to reach a decision on a collaborating partner by the end of this month.

ROOF's mission is to provide transitional housing for homeless families with children. As I told the breakfast attendees, your questions help us hone our vision, so please contact me if you have question, suggestions or comments, or if you would like to offer your time and/or talents -- outreach, fundraising, communications (including blogging and other social networking).

Norma Beit, Chairperson

Roof Over Head Collaborative

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

ROOF receives nonprofit status

The number of homeless people in our area is growing, even as you read this email.

Recently I calculated the potential long-term impact of the ROOF Over Head Collaborative (ROOF). Social service agencies suggest that their homeless clients would live in ROOF housing between three months and two years before being transitioned into mainstream housing. If ROOF purchases three properties a year for 10 years, and clients live in ROOF housing for an average of one year, ROOF would provide housing for 165 families -- nearly 500 individuals, including 330 children. Each family would have received social services to overcome the trauma of homelessness. That is ROOF's mission!

With this in mind, we are pleased to announce that the IRS has give us our 501(c)(3) tax-deductible status -- in record time -- and we now have the green light to begin our fundraising program. Our first informational breakfast for community leaders will be held June 1, and two more are in the planning stages. Our grant writer, Kerri Perry, is currently researching and writing grant applications. Tom Strickler, our new fundraising co-chair, joins Harvey Beit in visiting local donors and developing strategies for acquiring gifts from institutional and corporate sources.

Our new public relations co-chair, Dan Edson, is working on a myriad of fronts to place ROOF into today's media world. (He is looking for folks savvy with websites, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and ConstantContact to help us use the internet and social media to spread the word about ROOF. Any takers?) A handout designed by our graphic designer, Gretchen McClure, will be ready for distribution June 1.

The task of choosing a collaborative agency is still in process. ROOF's four-person Collaborative Team has spent considerable time educating itself, as well as meeting with the local agencies that work with homeless people and visiting their facilities. A few more details need to be resolved before out board of directors can make its final choice. Haste in the process will not be in the best interest of any of the parties involved.

Are you able to give time and talent to ROOF? We not only will make a difference in the lives of homeless families in the area, but we will become a model for other communities. Already we have heard from residents of a Boston suburb who are interested in our plan and might want to replicate it.

Please leave a comment or contact me directly with your thoughts, questions, and advice. Hardly a day goes by that I do not receive a supportive call or email. I'd love to hear from you.

Norma Beit, Chairperson
Roof Over Head Collaborative
978-465-7570
nosobeit@comcast.net