8th Annual AHOC Save Our Homes Walk Sunday May 15, 2011
Save Our Homes: How it works
Ellen Murphy was paralyzed due to a stroke and living in elderly/disabled public housing. When Ellen was found ineligible for Medicaid, she had to pay $40.00 per day, out of pocket, to her personal care attendants. As a result, she was unable to pay her rent and was threatened with eviction. The Save Our Homes Walk funds were used to assist her in paying her back rent until she could get approved for Medicaid, which would then pay her personal care attendants. She is now fully financially stable and no longer facing eviction.Save Our Homes: Preventing and Ending Homelessness
As organizers, service providers, and neighbors we know timely, direct assistance to individuals and families can be the most cost-effective way to prevent and end homelessness. We also know that funding for this valuable solution is scarce. Last year the Save Our Homes Walk helped dozens of Somerville households with your help. Grants were used for security deposits, rent arrearages, utility bills, and moving costs associated with stabilizing housing. These grants kept families in their homes, adults at their jobs, and kids in school. These grants helped preserve the affordability and diversity of our Somerville community.
Save Our Homes: Help us Reach our Goal
Our goal is to raise $40,000 – a little less than the average cost of shelter and services for a year for one family—to be used for approximately 70 grants to help secure stable housing for individuals and families. You can help three ways:
Walk!
Use this pledge form so people can sponsor you!Support!
Make a tax-deductible gift to Save Our Homes!Organize!
Introduce Save Our Homes to your business, political organization, social group, or faith-based community. Sam Davidson-Weiss and Jessica Weaver are our Team Organizers and are happy to help you organize a walk team. Contact Sam at 617-776-5931 (x225) or Jessica at 617-603-2735.
Save Our Homes: Logistics
The 8th Annual Save Our Homes Walk will be held on May 15th, 2011. The 5K (3.1 mile) walk route begins at Somerville High School, passes affordable housing landmarks, and ends at Somerville High School. Registration begins at 1:30 pm; the walk begins at 2:00 pm. Back up transportation is provided for walkers needing assistance.
Save Our Homes: Organizers
The annual Save Our Homes Walk is organized by the Somerville Affordable Housing Organizing Committee (AHOC). AHOC is an advocacy coalition comprised of Somerville residents and community organizations including Somerville Community Corporation (SCC), Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services (CSLS), and Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC). Organized in 2001 by SCC, AHOC continues to pursue the vital mission of preserving affordable housing, increasing affordable housing opportunities, and stabilizing Somerville’s existing communities.