Monday, May 9, 2011
News from the ROOF tops
We’ve had an exciting Spring at ROOF!
We are proud to announce the acquisition of the first ROOF property! Thanks to Committee Members Nancy Purcell of Stoneridge Properties and Leslie Eckholt for identifying a 2-bedroom condominium within walking distance to downtown Amesbury! The unit is lovely and will soon be home to an area family in need. We would also like to thank our funders. This important milestone would not be possible without your support.
ROOF is working with our partners at Community Action, Inc. to identify families to participate in the ROOF program. CAI and ROOF, along with other area service providers, will identify families who have an income and a plan to get up and out of crisis within a two year time period. Providing stable, safe, and decent housing for up to two years will eliminate the stress of finding a suitable living situation and will allow the family to focus on education, job training, and other skills required to stabilize their lives.
In other news, we are proud to announce a new partnership with iMarc, who has generously donated their time and talent to build the new ROOF website. Founded in 1997, iMarc LLC, is a privately held integrated web development and interactive marketing firm located in historic downtown Newburyport, MA. iMarc combines creative brand-building power with leading software development to create powerful, engaging web sites that combine creative design, leading technologies and rigorous optimization to build strong brands, and improve relationships with customers, employees and partners. iMarc is committed to supporting non-profits and has extensive experience developing websites for such organizations as Wells Reserve, Seacoast Science Center, EcoHealth Alliance, and Newport Restoration Foundation. For more information, please visit www.imarc.net or contact Kim Jackson, Marketing Coordinator, at 978-462-8848. Thank you iMarc! Stay tuned for the launch of the new website later this spring.
Finally, we are very proud to announce a gift in the amount of $30,000 from the Moseley Foundation! The grant will be used by ROOF for property acquisition and rental subsidies for our rental program. A special thanks to Bob and Kay Howe for their passion and support.
One final item: We are always looking for household items for program families and we will post our immediate needs from time-to-time. Please keep us in mind before you dispose of furniture or small household appliances, paint, cleaning products, etc. We will put these items to good use.
Thanks to all for your help and support!!
Susanne and Kerri
Co-Chairs, ROOF Over Head Collaborative
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
ROOF Changes and Partnerships
Greetings ROOF supporters!
Board Changes
ROOF started the year with several significant changes. First, ROOF founder, Norma Beit, has stepped down as ROOF’s Chairperson. Her amazing drive and leadership brought ROOF to life, raising awareness about the mission and procuring funding to start this new organization. While she will not run day to day operations, Norma will chair the Fundraising Committee along with her esteemed husband, Harvey. The Board thanks Norma for her vision and leadership in the creation of ROOF, utilizing her vast fund-raising experience and expertise, and looks forward to her continued service to the organization.
Board members Kerri Perry and Susanne Cameron have been elected Co-Chairs and will work to take ROOF to a new and exciting place. Both are members of the communities ROOF serves and bring a wealth of knowledge to the Board. Kerri Perry is a real estate attorney who is a member of two other local boards. Susanne Cameron has spent her career in housing and community development. In addition to serving on many boards and committees throughout New England, she was also recently appointed by Newburyport Mayor Holaday to serve on the Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust.
Board Changes
ROOF started the year with several significant changes. First, ROOF founder, Norma Beit, has stepped down as ROOF’s Chairperson. Her amazing drive and leadership brought ROOF to life, raising awareness about the mission and procuring funding to start this new organization. While she will not run day to day operations, Norma will chair the Fundraising Committee along with her esteemed husband, Harvey. The Board thanks Norma for her vision and leadership in the creation of ROOF, utilizing her vast fund-raising experience and expertise, and looks forward to her continued service to the organization.
Board members Kerri Perry and Susanne Cameron have been elected Co-Chairs and will work to take ROOF to a new and exciting place. Both are members of the communities ROOF serves and bring a wealth of knowledge to the Board. Kerri Perry is a real estate attorney who is a member of two other local boards. Susanne Cameron has spent her career in housing and community development. In addition to serving on many boards and committees throughout New England, she was also recently appointed by Newburyport Mayor Holaday to serve on the Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust.
New Partnerships
ROOF is only part of the solution to helping homeless families reach their goals. Community Action Inc., a nonprofit multi-service organization based in Haverhill, with an office in Amesbury, has stepped up to partner with ROOF. The mission of CAI is to empower individuals, families, and communities to overcome poverty through education, training, advocacy, prevention, and services to meet human needs. CAI offers hope and assistance with respect and understanding. This winning team approach will ensure ROOF families a positive path to independence and pride. We are thrilled to welcome CAI as a partner and member to the ROOF family.
ROOF will continue to work with other area nonprofit social service providers to enhance existing programs with its housing programs.
Program Changes.
The ROOF Board also went back to the drawing board to implement an approach that will have the greatest impact housing homeless families and families at risk of homelessness.
The changes are two-fold:
1. ROOF will accomplish its goals by purchasing property in its service area of Newburyport, Amesbury, and Salisbury. ROOF will own the properties and make units available to qualified families.
2. ROOF will also lease rental properties from local landlords. The units will be available to qualified families.
In both cases, families must pay for a portion of the rent while maintaining an active status with the nonprofit partner working to improve their education, job training, and other skills to help them to get up and out of crisis.
We look forward to our continued and productive work. Stay tuned for event announcements and fundraising news!
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."
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.
"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!
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
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
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