Building Wealth, Strengthening Communities: NOAH's Impact in Greater Boston

At NOAH, our mission extends beyond providing housing; it's about fostering community wealth building, which cultivates stronger families and a more robust regional economy. This fundamental principle has driven our work for 38 years, stemming from the belief that access to a stable home, whether through ownership or quality rental, is the foundation of economic well-being.

Table of Contents

1.      The Genesis of NOAH: A History of Building Wealth

2.      Empowering the Next Generation: Youth Programs for Skill and Confidence

3.      Language and Livelihoods: The Power of ESOL for Workforce Development

4.      Measuring Our Impact: Economic Contributions to Greater Boston

5.      Glossary

1. The Genesis of NOAH: A History of Building Wealth

NOAH was established on July 1, 1987, born from a critical need in East Boston. At that time, the neighborhood faced significant challenges: 1,500 vacant housing units, shuttered storefronts, a neglected waterfront, and a nascent wave of immigration. The surrounding suburbs in Greater Boston offered little in the way of solutions.

NOAH’s neighborhood founders early on recognized that the "wealth creation lens," central to American economic wisdom and prosperity, needed to be a cornerstone of NOAH’s work. By creating opportunities for financial well-being and enabling individuals and families to attain and retain stable homes—particularly through quality, tax-paying homeownership and affordable rental options—we ignite economic vitality and security for the entire community. This isn't just about providing shelter; it's about empowering residents to build assets, invest in their futures, and contribute to the local economy.

2. Empowering the Next Generation: Youth Programs for Skill and Confidence

NOAH is proud to offer additional services that contribute to youth development and community enrichment. Our dedicated youth program runs exciting summer activities like youth soccer and kayaking at Constitution Beach on summer weekends, promoting healthy lifestyles and community engagement. Our vibrant youth team also makes air filters for asthma-stricken families and is involved with local agencies in air quality monitoring around Logan Airport, as well as our congested roadways.

Beyond recreation, our environmental youth leadership development program is truly special. Local teens gain a wide range of tangible leadership skills through hands-on experiences:

·        Making presentations about air and water quality to community groups

·        Constructing air filters for asthma-burdened families

·        Designing nature-based solutions for our vulnerable waterfront

·        Tending to community gardens and planting/watering trees

·        Attending environmental conferences

·        Collaborating with other local youth groups

These experiences build crucial confidence at a young age, equipping them with the skills and self-assurance needed to pursue higher education or enter skilled trades, contributing to their personal wealth-building journey and the community's future workforce.

3. Language and Livelihoods: The Power of ESOL for Workforce Development

NOAH’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program is more than just language instruction; it functions as a vital workforce training program. Improving English language proficiency directly enhances possibilities for wealth creation.

When people can effectively communicate in English, they are better positioned to:

·        Start a business

·        Obtain a new or better job

·        Communicate more effectively with co-workers

·        Further their education

·        Engage actively with their children’s teachers

Learning English helps new residents contribute more fully to the security, culture, and vibrancy of our community, as well as to the overall economy. This investment in language skills is a direct pathway to greater economic opportunity and integration.

4. Measuring Our Impact: Economic Contributions to Greater Boston

NOAH's commitment to community wealth building has a tangible and significant economic impact on Greater Boston. Here is a brief summary of our work over the years, representing over $659 million in economic impact:

·        Homeownership: Helped 2,660 households purchase their first homes since 1994, fostering long-term stability and asset building.

·        Home Preservation: Enabled 3,445 families retain their homes in the face of potential foreclosure since 2008, preventing significant financial loss and displacement.

·        Rental Stabilization: Provided rental stabilization funds to 3,286 families since 2020, ensuring housing security during challenging times.

·        Affordable Rentals: Provides rental units for 800 individuals each year through its own portfolio of 389 apartment homes, offering stable, affordable housing options.

·        Senior Home Safety: Completed 12,350 home safety repairs for seniors since 1987, allowing vulnerable residents to age safely in-place and avoid costly relocations.

·        Annual Reach: Annually serves 1,750+ housing-related client households and 1,200+ neighborhood program households, demonstrating broad and ongoing community engagement.

Glossary

·Community Wealth Building: An economic development approach that focuses on retaining and circulating wealth locally, empowering residents, and fostering broad-based ownership and prosperity within a community.

·Constitution Beach: A public beach and park located in East Boston, Massachusetts, used for recreation and community activities.

·East Boston: Our vulnerable, peninsular neighborhood of East Boston, Massachusetts, separated by Boston Harbor, is located northeast of downtown, known for its diverse population and accessible waterfront.

·Economic Impact: The effect of an event or organization on the economy, often measured in terms of job creation, income generated, and tax revenue.

·ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages): Language instruction programs designed to help non-native English speakers develop proficiency in the English language.

·Foreclosure: The legal process by which a lender takes possession of a property when the borrower fails to make mortgage payments.

·HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): A U.S. government agency that supports community development and affordable housing.

·Kayak: A small, narrow boat propelled by a double-bladed paddle, often used for recreation on water.

·NOAH (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing): A community development corporation based in East Boston, Massachusetts, focused on housing, economic development, and community programs.

·Regional Economy: The economic activity within a specific geographic region, such as a metropolitan area or state.

·Rental Stabilization Funds: Financial assistance provided to renters to help them maintain their housing, often used to prevent eviction or homelessness.

·Soccer: A team sport played with a ball between two teams of 11 players, primarily using their feet to propel the ball.

·Vacant Units: Housing units that are empty and not occupied by residents.

·Workforce Training Program: Educational or vocational programs designed to equip individuals with the skills necessary to enter or advance in the workforce.

https://noahcdc.org/summer-programs