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 Groundbreaking in Holliston
At Cutler Heights
Thanks to the very supportive Town of Holliston, municipal and state leaders, visionary and persistent project partners, and federal government stimulus funds, the thirty-unit Cutler Heights Development in Holliston held its Groundbreaking Ceremony on March 16th. Featured speakers included Secretary of Housing & Economic Development Gregory Bialecki, Department of Housing & Community Development Undersecretary Tina Brooks, State Senator Karen L. Spilka, Representative Carolyn C. Dykema, Holliston Board of Selectmen Chairman Andrew Porter, Massachusetts Housing Partnership Senior Loan Officer Nancy McCafferty, Holliston Housing Authority Chairman Thomas Dumas, and Holliston Community Preservation Committee Chairman Samuel Tyler.
NOAH is partnering with JNJUHL Associates and the Holliston Housing Development Corporation, staffed by Brenda Farrell, to produce housing for low- and moderate-income families on 5.4 acres near the center of Holliston. The site will have a computer/multi-purpose room, an outside play area for young children, and open green space for family use. All of the units created will be available to families at or below 60% of the Boston median income. Corcoran Management will be managing the properties and handling all apartment rentals. The project should finish completion by spring of 2011.
We wish to thank the project funders and supporters, including the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD), the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing), the Middlesex Savings Bank, the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) and NeighborWorks America; as well as the Town of Holliston, including the Board of Selectmen, Holliston Community Preservation Committee, Holliston Housing Authority, Holliston Housing Committee, and Holliston's State and Federal representatives. NOAH also wishes to thank its Board of Directors for its persistence in supporting suburban partnerships such as this one.
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 Department of Neighborhood Development
Funds Trinity House Restoration
NOAH would like to express its sincere gratitude to the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) for its award to revitalize Trinity House, a 16-unit SRO in East Boston, and to create service-enriched housing dedicated for homeless individuals. The 163 year old revered historic structure, first restored by NOAH seventeen years ago, requires exterior historic rehabilitation, including replacement of the window frames and sashes; repairs to the slate and metal roof; repointing of the brick exterior; replacing or repairing the front entry columns; repairing the brownstone entry soffit; and repairs to the deteriorated dormers and the main roof. These repairs will not only preserve the physical and historical character of Trinity House, but will also tighten the building envelope, decrease energy loss and operating costs, and stabilize the property to ensure its viability as affordable housing. Interior renovations include updates to the common-area kitchen, shared bathrooms and hard-wired smoke detectors.
This funding will also enable Pine Street Inn to begin providing social services, which will have a dramatic effect on the ability of formerly homeless tenants to transition to this new permanent housing opportunity. The Pine Street model for supportive services is widely recognized as one of the Commonwealth's best and has proven extremely effective in keeping individuals housed long-term. Together, Pine Street and NOAH can help previously homeless tenants manage the difficulty of daily life in a supportive environment when many other housing options are unworkable. An on-site case manager will help residents to connect with community services, maintain stability, and avoid a return to homelessness. Rebecca Plaut Mautner, formerly with the Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development and now an independent affordable housing development consultant, served as Manager/Development Consultant for the revitalization project.
An Awards Night is planned for an evening in late spring, both as a fundraising event and to celebrate the restoration of Trinity House. Rick Dimino, President & CEO of A Better City, and one who was "raised" in the nurturing environment of Trinity Neighborhood House, will be helping to lead the fundraising effort. NOAH's Fundraising Committee is arranging the Awards Night. Co-chaired by NOAH Board members Michael Lake, Executive Director of Northeastern University's World Class Cities Partnership, and Jennifer McCloskey Listemann, Esq., with Law Offices in Charlestown, the Committee has set a goal to raise $50,000. We will keep you posted as plans are finalized! If you are interested in finding out more about Trinity House or the upcoming event, please contact Phil Giffee at 617-418-8240.
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 Division of Banks Awards
NOAH $52,000 for Foreclosure PreventionNOAH was granted $52,414 by the Division of Banks under the 2010 Chapter 206 Foreclosure Prevention and First Time Homebuyer Counseling Program. In his award letter, Commissioner of Banks Steven L. Antonakes stated that NOAH 'presented a strong work-plan and commitment towards homeownership and wealth retention'. These funds help NOAH provide education and counseling to families in need in Boston neighborhoods and in areas north of Boston, including Malden, Lynn, Chelsea and Revere. Since beginning this free program in October of 2007, NOAH has helped over 1,100 families in more than 55 communities. We hold weekly foreclosure clinics in both English and Spanish on Monday evenings. For additional information on NOAH's foreclosure prevention education and counseling work, please contact Marie Constance Theodossiou at 617-418-8263.
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TD Bank Donates $15,000 for
NOAH's Affordable Housing
NOAH is very thankful to have received $15,000 from the TD Bank Charitable Foundation in support of our affordable housing programs and our housing development activities. Jose Oliveira, Manager of TD Bank on Broad Street in Chelsea, hand delivered the check and visited NOAH's offices to learn more about these affordable programs, including our real estate development work, which has 170 'pipeline' units in five projects throughout Greater Boston. We are very grateful to TD Bank for its ongoing support!
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 Sovereign Bank
Supports NOAH, Too!
NOAH has learned that Sovereign Bank plans a donation to NOAH's 2010 Affordable Housing work, as well; for which we are grateful. NOAH's affordable housing programming is dedicated to creating or maintaining housing for low- and moderate-income families. In addition to its Real Estate Development projects, NOAH manages its own rental units (20% of which are dedicated to the homeless) and small loan portfolio, offers rental housing counseling & placement, holds first-time homebuyer education & counseling, assists the elderly with safety and emergency home repairs, and educates and counsels distressed homeowners in foreclosure prevention and mortgage modification. We most certainly couldn't do this work without long-term supporters like Sovereign Bank and others.
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Senior Homeowner Services Funding
NOAH has also recently received generous funding from Sailors Snug Harbor of Boston and from the Bushrood H. Campbell & Adah F. Hall Charity Fund in the amounts of $10,000 each. Thank you! These awards supplement the wonderful support received from the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development for this work. The Senior Homeowner Services Program is NOAH's oldest service line, and has been helping seniors and disabled homeowners in need with safety-related and emergency repairs for over 22 years. For more information, please contact Program Manager Anthony D'Andrea at 617-418-8265.
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7th Annual Chelsea
River Revel July 24th
Volunteers are needed to help arrange the Seventh Annual Chelsea River Revel scheduled for Saturday, July 24th. The event will be held rain or shine on the Meridian Street Bridge, with a theme of 'Green on Blue: Bridging Communities to the Creek'. There are opportunities to assist in planning for refreshments, music, parades, 5k and bicycle races, and more. The next Committee Meeting will be held on April 15th at 6:00 PM at NOAH. Please note the event's date and month change, which was necessary due to construction scheduling for the new Chelsea Street Bridge. For more information, please contact Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8242.
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Fundraising Begins for
O'Donnell Summer Program
It's spring, time for fundraising for the O'Donnell Schoolyard Summer Program, which is held five days a week for seven weeks each summer at the O'Donnell Elementary School in East Boston. This safe forum for children ages 6 to 12 offers arts and crafts, gardening, games and sports, and other supervised recreational activities, creating a welcoming and healthy environment where diverse local children can play together, learn and grow. A free breakfast and lunch, courtesy of the City of Boston, are served. Special guests give presentations on a regular basis. Previous year's presentations have included fire and bicycle safety by the Fire and Police Departments; sun-safety by the Boston Public Health Commission; childhood nutrition by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program; speakers from the Museum of Science (as pictured); and weekly gardening visits from Earthworks.
If you would like more information about serving on the Committee or donating to this program, please contact Linda Miller-Foster at 617-418-8246. If you would like to make a donation to this or to any of our programs, we would be most grateful! To help us help others, please click here. Thank you!
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 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
The next free Moderate Risk Deleading Class will be held on Thursday, April 22nd, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Taught by Boston Public Health Commission staff at NOAH, these trainings are sponsored by a Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant from the Mass. Attorney General's Office. Classes are offered in Spanish and in English for Boston homeowners or their representatives. For more information or for an application, please call 617-534-5966.
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Upcoming Events
All events are held at NOAH at 143 Border Street in East Boston, unless indicated otherwise.
Bilingual Foreclosure Clinics
Monday evenings, March 22th and 29th and April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at NOAH. This is the initial counseling and education session for NOAH's foreclosure prevention and mitigation counseling. Attendees should bring recent mortgage-related correspondence and paperwork. These sessions are held in Spanish and in English. All of NOAH's foreclosure avoidance education and counseling sessions are free of charge to distressed homeowners. For additional information, please contact Marie Constance Theodossiou at 617-418-8263.
O'Donnell Summer Program Fundraising Meeting
On Wednesday, March 24th, at noontime, there will be a luncheon meeting at Angela's Cafe. For more information, please conact Linda Miller-Foster at 617-418-8246.
Climate Change Risks in East Boston & What You Can Do About Them
On Monday, March 29th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, there will be a community meeting on the impact of climate change on neighborhoods in East Boston. Changes in climate are expected to have a major impact on residents and communities along the coast of the US. The City of Boston is taking this threat seriously, and is looking to help protect the City and its residents from potential damage. A group of scientists from UMass Boston and the University of Maryland will explore concrete adaptation measures for homeowners and businesses. The meeting will be held at the Maverick Landing Community Center at 31 Liverpool Street.
Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG) Meetings
The next CCAG meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 7th, at 6:30 PM at 80 Border Street, room 130. CCAG meetings are now held on the second Tuesday of each month. Newcomers are welcome. For more information, please call Director of Community Building & Organizing Dr. Brenda Cotto-Escalera at 617-418-8241.
First-Time Homebuyer Classes
The two-day April class will meet on Saturday and Sunday, April 10th and 11th. The class will be in English. To receive a City of Boston certificate, attendees must be present at both sessions. Students learn from industry guest speakers, including Home Inspectors, as well as from NOAH staff, on how best to purchase a home and about appropriate loan products. For more information, please contact BHA Program Assistant Zaragoza Guerra at 617-418-8261.
Chelsea River Revel Committee Meeting
On Thursday night, April 15th, the next meeting of the Chelsea River Revel Event Committee will be held. For additional information, please call Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8261.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Class
The next free Moderate Risk Deleading Class will be held on Thursday, April 22nd, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Taught by Boston Public Health Commission staff at NOAH, these trainings are sponsored by a Boston Childhood Lead Poisoning Grant from the Attorney General's Office. For more information or for an application, please call 617-534-5966.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Another session of ESOL coursework is being held. Level I classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Level II classes are held each Wednesday and Friday. The ongoing English Conversation Group meets each Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to noon; newcomers are welcome! Please contact Community Organizer Manlio Mendez at 617-418-8242 for additional information.
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Make a BIG impact with a SMALL donation!
Please consider making a $25 tax deductible donation to NOAH today. To donate through PayPal, click here. |
Thank you for your interest in NOAH! You can find out further information about NOAH events at our web site calendar at www.noahcdc.org.
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