United Way Hosts Second Annual Greater Boston Project Connect

One-day event connects over 100 families experiencing homelessness to services and resources focused on health, wellness and economic mobility.

BOSTON — United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley today brought together over 300 volunteers, along with over 40 businesses, government agencies and community-based organizations to provide critical services and resources to more than 100 families at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness.  

This unique collaboration of government agencies, local businesses and nonprofit services provided the wrap around services for families – in one day, in one place – to restart them on the path to good health, wellness opportunities and introduce key tools empowering economic opportunity and upward mobility. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh delivered remarks via recorded video to the volunteers.

“Our community is only as strong as its most vulnerable members,” said Steve Krichmar, Chairman of the Board of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and Managing Partner of Krichmar & Associates.  “United Way is proud to bring together so many services and volunteers under one roof to help provide stability and a path to a better life for those facing homelessness in our community.”

United Way’s Second Annual Greater Boston Project Connect was held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury. Throughout the day, each family was paired with their own Concierge Volunteer Ambassador to guide them personally through the services they may need the most at this particular time.  

A recent United Way survey of families attending the event say the top five needs they have are: back to school supplies, professional clothing, consultation with employers about temporary or entry-level positions, career counseling and financial checkups.

Services offered at United Way’s Project Connect include:

• Dental screening and protective fluoride treatments for children
• Legal consultation
• Financial check-ups – improving credit scores to save money
• Employers and job training programs
• Resources about children’s behavior or development
• Out-of-School Time and youth programs
• Connections to City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts agencies
• Access to SNAP benefits, workshops on healthy eating and stretching a family’s grocery budget
• Career coaching and assistance with writing a resume
• Adult and children’s haircuts
• Professional clothing
• Back to School supplies

The following organizations and businesses have stepped up to offer services or resources to families experiencing homelessness, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay, Boston Scores,  Boston University School of Dentistry, Capital One, City of Boston’s Office of Housing Stability & Office of Financial Empowerment, City of Boston Credit Union, Career Collaborative, Comcast, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Massachusetts Health Connector, MetroHousing Boston, Partners HealthCare, Resilient Coders, Samaritans, Inc., Tailored for Success, Walgreens Pharmacy, Wegmans Food Markets, and many more.

The event is made possible through a mix of individual and corporate donors, including AEW Capital Management, J & M Brown Company, Inc., Yale Appliance & Lighting, BCG, Cabot Corporation, Eden Properties LLC and Wayfair.

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For Media inquiries, please contact Brigid Boyd, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, at bboyd@supportunitedway.org or 617-624-8252.