Tocqueville Member Spotlight: Paul and Sandy Edgerley
Paul and Sandy Edgerley have been pillars of leadership and engagement at United Way for two decades. They are actively involved in the education and social service non-profit arena.
“We firmly believe that entrenched social problems are not impermeable; they are challenges waiting for action,” said Paul and Sandy. “We do not give simply because it is the right thing to do, we are giving to generate change. We are proud to support the United Way and its exceptional work.’’
Continuing their legacy of spearheading innovative and impactful United Way efforts, Paul and Sandy are pleased to announce the Paul and Sandy Edgerley Challenge to End Chronic Homelessness. From now through June 30, 2018, every gift in support of United Way’s Pay for Success program this incredible will be matched up to $150,000 through the Paul and Sandy Edgerley Challenge to End Chronic Homelessness.
“Together we hope to prove that homelessness does not have to be a way of life for individuals struggling with debilitating health issues,’’ said Paul and Sandy when awarding this challenge.
Currently in Massachusetts, more than $52 million is spent annually treating the 1,238 chronically homeless individuals in our communities. Yet the lack of comprehensive care means that they remain largely homeless and often suffer further from a wide range of serious health conditions. It is rare that we come across an opportunity to actually eliminate previously intractable problems, especially at a much lower cost on a sustainable basis.
Since June of 2015, United Way’s Pay for Success program has brought over 678 chronically homeless individuals off the streets and into safe, stable and supportive housing. United Way is not only giving people a roof over their heads, but also connecting them to the services they need to stay housed. On the ground, the program leverages new housing units and Medicaid services to provide individualized wrap-around support, including mental health counseling, detox, substance abuse counseling, and job training. To date, over 92 percent% of program participants have remained successfully housed after twelve months of tenancy. Imagine someone who has spent years on and off the streets, in and out of shelters, hospitals, and temporary homes, navigating this vicious cycle over and over again and hoping each time that it would be the last.
Get involved in this incredible challenge and make a direct impact on ending homelessness in our community by contacting Lisa Rowan-Gillis, Chief Development Officer, at lrowangillis@supportunitedway.org.
Sandy has served United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley as a board member from 2000 to 2012. She also co-chaired the Alexis de Tocqueville Society from 1998 to 2012, helping to spearhead its growth from under 100 to over more than 600 members. In 2015, Sandy received United Way’s President’s Award for the incredible impact she has had in our community.
Paul and Sandy both served on United Way’s Millennium Fund Committee. In 2011, they received the United Way National Tocqueville Award, which recognizes outstanding examples of deep and abiding commitment to community service. Sandy also won the local Tocqueville Award for community excellence in 2010.
More About Paul and Sandy
Longtime residents of Brookline, Paul and Sandy have four children; Brian, Matthew, Hayley, and Michael. In addition to their efforts in support of United Way’s community impact, Paul and Sandy provide inspiring leadership throughout our community.
Sandy is Chair of the Boston Foundation and has served as Chair of the Board for Boys and Girls Club of Boston. Sandy also serves on the National Board of Trustees of City Year. In addition, she is a board member of Be The Change Inc., a member of the Board of Overseers of the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, a member of the Massachusetts General Hospital President’s Council, as well as a member of the Senior Advisory Board of Horizons for Homeless Children.
Paul is a dedicated alumnus of Kansas State University, serving in a number of capacities including, Kansas State University’s Foundation Executive Committee and the college’s dean’s advisory council. Paul also serves on numerous boards including: Hero MotoCorp, Sensata Technologies, Apex Tool Group, FTE Automotive, MYOB, TI Automotive, Kansas State University Trust Board, Harvard Business School Dean’s Advisory Board, Boston Celtics, Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, New Profit, Right to Play, and Year Up.
Paul and Sandy have also served as co-chairs of The Harvard University Campaign as well as co-chairs of the Harvard Campaign for the Faculty of the Arts and Sciences.
