One Haverhill Fund, a partnership of United Way and Haverhill community leaders, receives $50,000 in ARPA funding to continue Covid-19 relief and recovery efforts

HAVERHILL, MA – United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is proud to announce that Governor Baker recently approved $50,000 in funding for the One Haverhill Fund as part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ spending plan for federal aid received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Representative Andy Vargas advocated for the additional resources to assist families impacted by the pandemic, along with $50,000 for Sacred Hearts Parish in Haverhill. The One Haverhill Fund – convened by Representative Vargas and established by Haverhill community leaders, including Mayor James Fiorentini, Representative Christina Minicucci, the Greater Haverhill Chamber, Community Action, Inc., Emmaus, Haverhill food pantries, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley – was launched in April 2020 to organize resources for members of the Haverhill community in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fund provides emergency assistance like expanded food distribution and housing stabilization for Haverhill residents, with a particular focus on those most economically vulnerable to the Covid-19 crisis. The fund also covers the costs of utilities, internet connectivity, childcare, medications, and other necessities.

To date, the One Haverhill Fund has distributed over $170,000 to organizations providing direct support to Haverhill residents to help with essential needs including rent, food and utilities.

“Early on in the pandemic, we brought some of the most important nonprofit and service agencies in Haverhill together for a Zoom call. That led to the creation of a sustained collaboration called the One Haverhill Fund, which has critically been facilitated by the United Way,” said State Representative Andy Vargas. “This effort has ensured that many families and organizations get emergency assistance when there is nowhere else to turn. We were proud to secure funding for the One Haverhill Fund and Sacred Hearts Food Pantry.”

Local agencies supported by the One Haverhill Fund and United Way include: All Saints, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, Common Ground, Community Action, Inc., Emmaus, Leaving the Streets Ministries, Liz Murphy Open Hand Pantry, North Shore YMCA, Sacred Hearts, Salvation Army, Somebody Cares New England, and UTEC.

“United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley remains committed to helping our community recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly our economically disadvantaged individuals and families, who continue to bear the brunt of this crisis,” said Bob Giannino, President and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “We are so appreciative of Representative Vargas and the community leaders and partner organizations who quickly mobilized supports for the Haverhill community and to Governor Baker for approving this funding which will sustain One Haverhill Fund’s critical work.”

All donations are collected by United Way and distributed by established Haverhill nonprofit organizations with a track record of administering assistance funds. All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of the proceeds (net credit card fees) will go to individuals seeking assistance via nonprofits already working in our community. Donations can be made by credit card or through a donor advised fund online or by sending a check to United Way of Massachusetts Bay, P.O. Box 412866, Boston, MA. 02241-2866. Please make checks out to “United Way of Massachusetts Bay” and include “The One Haverhill Fund” in the memo of the check.

Those who need immediate help should contact Haverhill’s 3-1-1 call center for assistance. Anyone within the city limits can simply dial 311 and reach trained operators from 8AM-4PM to respond to non-emergency questions and concerns.

In addition, individuals can contact United Way’s Mass211 state-wide, 24/7 helpline by calling 2-1-1 or visiting mass211.org. For more information on recent ARPA funding for Mass211, click here.

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