HACbeat September / October 2023

SEPT/OCT 2023 | VOL. 32, ISSUE 5

A NEWSLETTER FROM HOUSING ASSISTANCE CORPORATION

A Moving and Inspiring Discussion About ‘Rough Sleepers’ Nearly 500 people attended an inspirational discussion of the new book “Rough Sleepers” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder in Woods Hole last month. The book chronicles Dr. Jim O’Connell and his work with people who sleep outside rather than in shelters, known as “rough sleepers.”

Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta led the discussion, which was held in the Clapp Auditorium at the Marine Biological Laboratory. The event was co-hosted by Housing Assistance and the Jewel Cobb Coalition, with proceeds benefiting Housing Assistance.

“I was astonished, charmed and appalled at this world that was right in plain sight,” said Kidder as he described his first van ride with Dr. O’Connell, president of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, and his staff. O’Connell himself has spent decades riding in a van equipped with hot food, clothing items and medical equipment to serve people living on the streets of Boston.

Kidder conducted his research for the book “Rough Sleepers” for five years, including times when he rode in the van almost every day and night.

“Like most Americans, I think I figured out ways of not noticing, but you can’t sustain that kind of feeling once you get to know these people,” he said. “Then you realize that they’re every bit as human and maybe in some ways a little more interesting than anyone else.” continued on page 4

In this issue A Moving and Inspiring Discussion About ‘Rough Sleepers’ COVER STORY, continued on page 4 Donor Spotlight: Eugenie and Dick Schott PAGE 2 Gossip and Hearsay Won’t Lead to Solutions Editorial by Alisa Magnotta PAGE 3 Pricey and Nonexistent: The Housing Crisis Forces More Residents into Homelessness PAGE 6 Shelter Children Find Joy and Sense of Normalcy in Arts Classes PAGE 7 Former Client Organizes Shelter Toy Drive PAGE 9 For the Foleys, an ADU is the Perfect Solution PAGE 11 Eastern Bank Foundation Continues to ‘Step Up’ to Help Cape’s Homeless PAGE 13 ‘I Know What It’s Like,’ Says New Homeless Youth Peer Mentor PAGE 14 Give Hope Where You Live PAGE 15

Housing Assistance

Donor Spotlight Eugenie and Dick Schott ‘We all have a way we can make a difference’ Down a side hallway at the Hyannis headquarters of Housing Assistance, there’s a small room that makes a big difference. Not much larger than a walk-in closet, it contains a variety of new linens, cookware and other household supplies that clients can select when they move from shelter into a permanent home.

Since its inception in 2014, new donations have trickled into the Welcome Home Room throughout the year and come in a flood around the holidays. Keeping the room organized falls into the hands of dedicated volunteer Eugenie Schott of West Yarmouth.

“With items constantly going in and out of the Welcome Home Room, it would be complete chaos without Eugenie’s awesome organizing skills,” said Ann Rebello, Housing Assistance’s longtime office manager, who was recently promoted to executive assistant to the CEO.

In between holiday seasons, Eugenie comes in every few weeks and spends anywhere from 45 minutes to four hours getting things reorganized.

“Sometimes 15 pillows will go out in two weeks and the next time I come in, no one’s taken one,” she said. She keeps track of the inventory of cookware, linens and toiletries and lets Rebello know when things run low, as they often do this time of year, so that an online wish list (haconcapecod.org/supportus/donate/donating-items/) can be updated.

The Welcome Home Room also stores personal-care items that are distributed by the Homeless Outreach team to people living on the streets or in camps.

“Simple things like nail clippers or women's personal hygiene products help people maintain some sense of dignity,” said Rebello. continued on page 10

Eugenie and her husband, Dick, who’ve been married for 53 years, co-managed the Green Harbor Resort in West Yarmouth for 45 years. “I was used to organizing sheets and towels and everything, so I’m applying the same skills,” she said.

She started as the Welcome Home Room volunteer about three years ago. “It was easy until Christmas came, and hundreds of gift baskets came in from the Cape and Islands Association of REALTORS®, filling two conference rooms,” she said. “I think I spent three or four days a week for six weeks trying to get it all sorted.”

In the process, she found some outdated office equipment, including a bulky decades-old brochurefolding machine, that was taking up much-needed space. “That’s where the brawn comes in,” joked Dick, who hauled things away.

Dedicated volunteers Eugenie and Dick Schott keep our Welcome Home Room organized.

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 2

Gossip and Hearsay Won’t Lead to Solutions EDITORIAL BY ALISA MAGNOTTA

The migrant crisis that has long been making headlines in faraway states such as Texas and California has finally reached our shores, bringing with it strong emotions and reactions for many residents.

We have seen the protests and the social media posts filled with vitriol, fear, and misinformation, some of which have been directed at Housing Assistance. It’s reached a point where we feel the need to reinforce our mission and values within the local community, among you, our supporters, and with the media.

Like many of you, we too are frustrated by the strain historic federal immigration policies have placed on local resources, and we have written to our federal legislators to urge them to fully confront the national immigration issue. The influx of people to our region has not affected our budget. Our programs remain fully funded and intact, and we continue to work with key officials at the state and local levels to further support and secure housing for Cape and Islands residents.

The truth is this: the incremental increase in migrants across Cape Cod is not the problem. It’s the fact that 1,000 families are forced to leave our region each year due to a housing crisis that has caused a labor shortage and hurt our community. The origins of the housing crisis include a history of restrictive zoning policies and extraordinary market demand. Like other resort regions, families and individuals who are the working backbone of Cape Cod must compete in a housing market with summer residents that fuel our seasonal economy. We can, and must, change these zoning policies to allow for more housing development which will create jobs and help sustain our year-round economy.

In times like these, it’s imperative that we stand together as a community and not let fear and mistrust divide us. We need to remember that we are experiencing two parallel crises – housing and immigration – and while they may seem insurmountable, they are solvable problems. It will take patience, perseverance and kindness, because at the heart of these two crises are human beings that need our help.

We are a housing agency. Housing Assistance serves more than 6,000 people every year across the Cape and Islands in 20 towns and three counties. We respond to everyone who comes to us in need of housing. We do not judge the people who seek our assistance; we simply help them.

We invite you to stand with us and address the REAL issue: the severe lack of housing for the people who want to live here year-round and be a part of our economy and community. It’s why we created Housing to Protect Cape Cod, a coalition that now has nearly 1,000 members.

Please join us to be a part of productive and thoughtful change, not gossip and hearsay.

Alisa Magnotta, CEO

JOIN THE COALITION!

housingtoprotectcapecod.org

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 3

ROUGH SLEEPERS - continued from cover

Dr. O’Connell said he was a little surprised how willing most of his patients were to be interviewed by an author.

“The folks that we were taking care of were honored and anxious to tell their stories,” he said. “Tracy took hours and hours of time talking to people who were really willing to share stuff, some real trauma. They were happy to have someone listening.”

When he graduated from Harvard Medical School, Dr. O’Connell planned to become an oncologist after spending one year working with Boston’s homeless. What he quickly learned from nurses who spent years working with the homeless is that the rough sleepers didn’t want to be treated by a doctor who would be gone in a year.

They wanted the connections and trust that came from continuity of care.

“That's when I realized this is exactly where I wanted to be,” he said. “My life is full of great turns that I didn’t expect.”

Kidder’s portrayal of the people he met was heartbreaking yet heartwarming as he spoke about the pride, perseverance and hope of the beloved rough sleeper community. Dr. O’Connell touched listeners’ hearts as he talked about his quest to bring healing and dignity to this special group and the fondness he feels for each one of his patients.

Author Tracy Kidder signed copies of “Rough Sleepers” before the discussion.

ROUGH SLEEPERS An Evening with Tracy Kidder and Dr. Jim O'Connell Friday, September 22, 2023 CO-SPONSORS

Housing Assistance COMMUNITY PARTNERS

VENUE SPONSOR

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Housing Assistance’s outreach team, including Stephane Ruault (second from right, with microphone), shared their experiences here on Cape Cod.

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 4

RUTH GAINER VIVIAN GAINER CATHY & JACK BRENNAN KAREN CAMPBELL

“It is about seeing,” said Magnotta.

“Through this book, you get to see what our people see every day at Housing Assistance. These are people.”

She added that one of the most important traits for working with the homeless is perseverance. “Much of the outcome you have no control over, but you have to be willing to keep showing up,” she said.

Other speakers included Heidi Nelson, CEO of Duffy Health Center; Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River; Ruth Gainer, director of the Jewel Cobb Action Coalition; and members of the Housing Assistance outreach team.

Speaking at the event were, from left, Heidi Nelson, CEO of Duffy Health Center; Dr. Jim O’Connell, President of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program; Alisa Magnotta, CEO of Housing Assistance; Tracy Kidder, author; and Susan Mazzarella, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River.

During the question-and-answer session, one audience member said he had met Dr. O’Connell when he was a medical student 37 years ago. “A lot of us put our toes in the water [in terms of helping the homeless]. You jumped into the ocean. Thank you for not drowning.”

Like most Americans, I think I figured out ways of not noticing, but you can’t sustain that kind of feeling once you get to know these people.

– TRACY KIDDER

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 5

Pricey and Nonexistent: The Housing Crisis Forces More Residents into Homelessness Two parents, both working steady jobs – they’re probably not the first people you think of when you imagine someone who’s experiencing homelessness, but increasingly, that’s the face of homelessness on Cape Cod. “That’s something I had never really seen before in all the years I've been doing this,” said Paula Mallard, Housing Assistance’s vice president of homeless services.

Rising rents and shrinking inventory have left many individuals and families without housing and without options, she said. A report commissioned by Housing Assistance in 2022 found that Cape Cod’s rental vacancy rate is just 1% and the average home price is over $600,000.

For some families, even a second job isn’t enough.

Rent for some two-bedroom apartments is upwards of $2,900 a month.

“Most landlords want you to earn three times the rent,” said Mallard, “A job that pays $20 an hour doesn’t get you into that $2,900 a month apartment.

The math just doesn't work.”

Mallard described how the housing landscape shifted quickly during the COVID pandemic. Many landlords sold their rental homes to second-home buyers, leaving the tenants to search for housing in a rapidly shrinking market.

“The tenants looked and looked and looked on the Cape because their kids were in school here or they had jobs here, and eventually they’d come into a family shelter because they could not find anything,” she said. “If they eventually found another place to live, it was in another town or off-Cape and the kids had to change schools.

“People want to stay on the Cape if they’re from the Cape, but it’s extremely hard. The housing market on Cape Cod has always been pricey, but now it’s pricey and non-existent.”

Mallard said that in the past, some of the parents in family shelters had difficulty finding work, but that’s changed. “Now it’s about the housing piece.” You can get that job easily, but then where are you going to live? That's an interesting turn for those of us who work in the family shelters. You can have a job, but you are going to be hard-pressed to find a place to live.”

They worked their whole lives and now can’t afford to live anywhere.

– PATTY ALONSO, OUTREACH COORDINATOR AND COMMUNITY LIAISON

Retirees who rent are also feeling the pinch, she said.

“We’ve never seen the influx of elderly that we’ve seen in the last few years,” she said. “People who are retired or close to it and hoping to enjoy those next years in a peaceful, happy way – some of them have had the same rental for 20 years and now they’re scrambling to keep a roof over their head.”

Patty Alonso, a Housing Assistance outreach coordinator and community liaison, said it’s hard to give people hope when housing options are so limited. “I have to be honest with them,” she said. “It’s a very difficult rental market right now. The vacancy rate is less than 1 percent and things are expensive.”

continued on page 10

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 6

Shelter Children Find Joy and Sense of Normalcy in Arts Classes Nearly a dozen children who live at Angel House, a family shelter in Hyannis operated by Housing Assistance, had the opportunity for some summer fun when a local arts organization welcomed them to their classes free of charge.

The Cordial Eye is a community nonprofit arts organization that offers programs for children and adults who are from historically excluded communities, including low-income and disabled people, according to co-executive director Mary George. “We want to reduce the barriers they face to accessing opportunities to engage with our creative community,” she said.

When Paula Mallard, Housing Assistance’s vice president of homeless services, heard about Cordial Eye, she asked Staceanne Sykes, a housing search specialist at Angel House, to see if any of the shelter’s children would be interested in taking classes. The kids were eager to join exercise, drawing and sewing classes, but there was one issue: there wasn’t room in the Angel House budget for the cost of the classes.

“We’re the only arts organization within walking distance of Angel House, so we wanted to form a partnership,” said George. In just a few days, she was able to get donations from 20 private donors and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod to cover the class fees of over $2,000.

George said the children enjoyed the programs and that many of them talked about the challenges in their lives. “It feels really meaningful to be able to provide a safe place for these children to create friendships and have fun,” she said. “We had one parent say that this is the first normal thing her children have had in a number of months after losing their permanent housing.”

Fashion designer Aiste Zitnikaite taught young shelter residents the basics of sewing.

Sykes said the response from families has been totally positive. “Our families have been so blessed to be invited to the programs at Cordial Eye,” she said. “The children love the time they’ve spent in the classes, and the staff at Cordial Eye is very helpful and caring. We hope to have an ongoing partnership with them.”

To learn more about Cordial Eye, visit thecordialeye.org.

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 7

Join us For the

2nd Annual Housing to Protect Cape Cod Summit Thursday, October 26, 2023 Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis

Thursday

OCTOBER 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Breakfast & lunch provided

GET PROGRESS UPDATES AND RESOURCES TO ADVOCATE FOR HOUSING IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

Learn poll-based consumer messages to respond to NIMBYism Pick up your toolkit to advocate for pro-housing policy & zoning changes in your town

#SAV

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Housing to Protect Cape Cod is a coalition of

Housing Assistance

Hear from advocates and towns that are tackling the issue See the latest data on short-term rentals

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TICKETS $25 TO REGISTER & LEARN MORE VISIT

hpccsummit.org

CA

Former Client Organizes Toy Drive for Shelters After Housing Assistance helped Ambermae Rivard find housing for her and her young son Matthew, she decided that one day they would find a way to pay it forward. A few years later, she organized a toy drive and ended up with six large bags full of new toys that she and her son recently donated to Housing Assistance’s family shelters.

“It felt awesome to do something for the organization that helped me,” said Rivard, an honors student at Cape Cod Community College.

Rivard, who is taking courses in psychology and journalism, is the editor of the school newspaper. As a member of the campus Honors Club, she was required to do a community service project. “I wanted to do something to help homeless families, so I reached out to Housing Assistance,” she said. “At first, I thought I might do a clothing drive, but then I decided I wanted to do something focused on the kids.”

Ambermae Rivard and her son Matthew

Rivard created a poster and worked with professor Kate Marin, the Honors Club’s advisor, to distribute it by email to all of the college’s students, requesting donations of jump ropes, balls and other inexpensive new toys for outside play.

Drop-off bins were placed around the campus, including in the library and cafeteria. She was surprised and pleased by the generosity of her fellow students and the faculty, as was Paula Mallard, vice president of homeless services at Housing Assistance.

“We are so grateful for this thoughtful donation,” said Mallard. “To have it come from a former client is especially meaningful.”

Rivard said she’s majoring in psychology because of her passion for giving others a boost. “That’s my life mission – helping people,” said Rivard, who plans to continue her education with the goal of getting a bachelor’s degree. “Once I transfer, I'm going to double major in journalism and psychology,” she said. “It helps to understand people if you're going to write about them.”

Learn more about donating items through Give Hope Where You Live on page 15

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 9

WELCOME HOME - continued from page 2

Donation Drive for Families in Transition

wish list Sets of dishes – place settings for 4 Bath towels Sheets- full size All-season blankets or comforters Pots & pans Toaster ovens Shower curtain liners and rings/hooks Body wash Shampoo & conditioner Disposable razors

Rebello added that seeing the well-run Welcome Home Room in action gives her a good feeling. “The clients who come in to get things are never greedy,” she said. “They’ll ask if they can take two towels instead of one and they’re so grateful for everything.”

The Schotts made their first financial donation to Housing Assistance about 30 years ago. “We could see that the landscapers, housekeepers and other people who worked for us at the resort had trouble finding housing and the need kept growing,” said Dick. “Good things are happening, but not enough to address the needs of the working person.”

“Giving is so important, whether it’s money or your time,” said Eugenie. “We all have a way we can make a difference.”

Learn more about donating items through Give Hope Where You Live on page 15

ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW – WE CANNOT ACCEPT USED ITEMS HOUSING CRISIS - continued from page 6

We also have a free literacy library shelf in our foyer and need children’s books (used books are fine).

To learn more about all the ways you can give, please register at “Give Hope Where You Live.”

See page 15 for details.

In the five years Alonso’s been with Housing Assistance, the number of elderly homeless people has risen over 50 percent. “We’re seeing new people every week,” she said. “It’s definitely a much bigger volume than it’s ever been. They worked their whole lives and now can’t afford to live anywhere.”

Alonso said homelessness does not affect mentally ill or people with substance use disorders the way some people think. “These are functional, contributing citizens who lose a rental and can’t find a new place,” she said. “There's just nothing out there.”

Every client has a different story, but Alonso said she knows they all have one thing in common.

“I’m sure not one of our clients has ever said, when I grow up, I want to be homeless.”

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 10

For the Foleys, an ADU is the Perfect Solution For John and Barbara-Anne Foley, converting a garage into an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) was just what they needed to allow them to save money in a downsized space while living close to family.

“It’s working out fantastic,” said John. “Our two grandchildren are next door, and they pop over every day. We are very happy here. We really wanted to be near our family and that seems like an idea that America is probably going toward. We might be ahead of that curve on that.”

The Foleys, who have lived on Cape Cod for 40 years, began considering buying or building an ADU in 2020.

ADUs are small homes or apartment units on the property of a single-family home. Meanwhile, their oldest son, Patrick, wanted to stay on Cape Cod with his wife, but they couldn’t afford to buy a house.

“We made a deal with them,” said John. “We would take the proceeds from selling our house in Harwich and help them buy a house with the understanding we would convert part of the property into an ADU.”

John and Barbara-Anne Foley say their ADU in Sandwich is “working out perfectly.”

After looking at a number of houses, they found one in Sandwich with a twocar garage that looked promising as a future ADU. A little research revealed that although they were in a historic district, an ADU was allowed by right (zoning laws that reduce the barriers to obtaining a permit to build).

The first architect they consulted came up with plans that were too elaborate, so Barbara-Anne, an outreach coordinator for a veterans group, contacted Housing Assistance, and things began to click. With help from Housing Assistance staff, she became aware of less expensive options and visited an ADU in Mashpee.

Keith Trott, director of housing production and maintenance for Housing Assistance, helped them refine their vision for a 900-square-foot unit.

The couple’s revised plans incorporated what they had learned from Housing Assistance and included a small deck on the opposite side of the house to give them some privacy. Construction began last December with John, who works in construction, acting as project manager. Supply-chain issues slowed things down slightly, but the Foleys were able to move in to their one-bedroom ADU in July. “It’s the first time we’ve ever built our own house and we did as much customization inside as we could,” he said. “Outside it looks like it’s almost always been here. It fits in quite comfortably.”

John thinks ADUs are “the wave of the future for the Cape,” but said some towns could do more to make it easier for residents. One solution would be uniform regulations Cape-wide. “They could settle on common criteria, such as enough square footage on the lot, the setbacks, the septic system’s big enough and one or two more [requirements]. If it’s different in every town, people will go crazy trying to find an existing house that will work. I think the Cape is way too slow on getting this up to speed, because there’s no more land to build on. Towns should be encouraging ADUs.”

continued on next page

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 11

ADUs - continued from previous page

John said he’s looking forward to many happy years in the ADU. “My grandchildren are three and a half and one and a half, but when they're 17 and 15, we figure they’re going to bop over here and say, ‘mom and dad are driving us nuts,’ which will be wonderful for us.”

He said his daughter-in-law’s friends have seen the ADU on social media. “They love it and they’re all asking, how do you do it? So it is getting a little bit of push with people her age, early 30s, whose parents are thinking of doing the same thing. It’s working out perfectly for us and our son can stay where he was born and raise his family here.”

Upcoming Virtual Classes & Workshops Learn more and register at haconcapecod.org.

MONEY MATTERS Free two-night workshop that will help you set financial goals, make a spending plan and identify ways to create an emergency fund.

November 7 & 9

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER Overview of the homebuying process. Topics include money management, mortgage loan programs, insurance and more.

October 17, 19 & 24 November 1 & 4

HOMESAFE Fulfills the post-purchase education requirements and provides a forum to share experiences with other homeowners.

December 2

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 12

I think the Cape is way too slow getting this up to speed. Towns should be encouraging ADUs. – JOHN FOLEY

To learn more about ADUs, visit haconcapecod.org/adu

Eastern Bank Foundation Continues to ‘Step Up’ to Help Cape’s Homeless A 95-year-old World War II veteran and his daughter who became homeless after losing their Yarmouth rental. A married couple with disabilities who were sleeping in their jam-packed car as the cold winter temperatures moved in. These are just a few of the people Housing Assistance was able to help, thanks to funding from the Eastern Bank Foundation, a supporter of the agency for nearly 20 years.

In late 2022, as needs for elderly and disabled transitional housing were becoming more and more pressing, staff from Housing Assistance’s Resource Development Department reached out to Eastern Bank Foundation (EBF) leadership to discuss the rising needs of the Cape and Islands community. Housing Assistance then submitted an application to EBF for $50,000 in funding to help. It was the largest request Housing Assistance had ever made to Eastern outside of pandemic relief.

“This was a ‘big ask,’ but the funds were needed to pay for hotel rooms due to the dire shortage of affordable rentals,” said Patricia Mitrokostas, senior director of strategic funding initiatives and foundation relations at Housing Assistance. Funders, particularly foundations, usually prefer to support initiatives that have longer term goals. But EBF's strategy is meant to be focused yet flexible when crisis strikes, and their leadership understood how immediate and dangerous homelessness can be in the winter. “Eastern stepped up to help in a big way, allowing us to meet an immediate need that literally saved people from sleeping on the streets in encampments and other places not meant for human habitation,” said Mitrokostas.

Donor Spotlight

This includes a 72-year-old man from Hyannis who was sleeping in his truck, a 59-year-old disabled man from Brewster who found himself homeless after the breakup of a long-term relationship and a 74-year-old disabled woman from Falmouth who could no longer afford her rent and was living in her car.

“As Cape and Islands housing costs continue to be out of sight and inventory for reasonable rentals stays very scarce, it is crucial that Housing Assistance continues to help people afford to live and work on the Cape and for elderly and disabled community members to be protected, “ said Nancy Huntington Stager, President and CEO, Eastern Bank Foundation.

The Eastern Bank Foundation has been a Housing Assistance supporter since 2005, contributing more than $260,000, primarily through event and corporate sponsorships. EBF also awarded $65,000 in pandemic relief funds in 2020.

In addition, Eastern Bank Foundation celebrates exceptional nonprofit leaders with their annual Community Advocacy Award. Housing Assistance CEO Alisa Magnotta was one of the the 2023 recipients recognized for her work securing safe and affordable housing for the Cape and Islands.

“Eastern Bank Foundation has been proud to work with this gem of an organization over many years as Alisa and her team continue to take on the important and challenging issue of creating and preserving access to more and better safe, affordable and quality housing,” said Stager.

The Eastern Bank Foundation funds helped some of Housing Assistance’s most vulnerable clients: elderly residents who had lost their permanent housing.

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 13

‘I Know What It’s Like,’ Says New Homeless Youth Peer Mentor Parker Thomson speaks from experience when he works with young adults who are at risk of homelessness.

“I was skipping classes. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. I was a kid on the wrong path,” he said.

Thomson, who joined Housing Assistance in March as a homeless youth peer mentor, spent part of his childhood in foster care and was homeless as a young adult.

His new foster father was a good mentor, but Thomson said he still lacked self-discipline and struggled when he went to Worcester State College without a solid support system. He transferred to Valley Forge Military College, where he thrived for a while before struggling with emotional challenges and leaving school.

“I know what it’s like to struggle with not knowing where to go next and how to stay afloat,” he said. “I hope I can use my experience to provide resources to youth who are going through similar challenges.”

Thomson grew up on Cape Cod in what he calls “a very unstable household.” He went into foster care when he was in fourth and fifth grade, returned to his parents’ home, and went back into foster care when he was a sophomore at Falmouth High School.

He returned to Cape Cod, but after a car accident, he was without transportation and lost his job.

Unable to pay for an apartment, he went to the Bay Cove crisis center in Hyannis and was referred to the Champ Homes shelter in Hyannis.

“That gave me some room to breathe and restructure my life,” he said. While there, he heard about the Youth Action Board, part of Barnstable County’s Regional Network on Homelessness, and became a volunteer. “The Youth Action Board really resonated with me as a chance to make an impact, so that people don't have to go down the same road I did.”

His volunteer work led a Housing Assistance case worker to recommend Thomson for his new job. In addition to facilitating meetings of the Youth Action Board, he works as a liaison between case workers and clients aged 18 to 25.

Homeless youth peer mentor Parker Thomson brings unique life experience to his work at Housing Assistance.

HACbeat August 2023 | Page 14

“I let them know they’re not alone in the process of finding housing,” he said. “I don’t want to lead people to their goals. I don’t want to push people into their goals. I want to walk alongside them to get there.”

give H PE

#HACGiveHope23

Give-A-Thon:

November 13–17, 2023

where you live

Cape & Islanders Supporting a Thriving Year-Round Community Housing Assistance invites you to embrace the spirit of the giving season and Give Hope Where You Live!

This season, we’re bringing the Cape and Islands community together to raise awareness of the housing crisis and give HOPE to our many impacted neighbors.

Whether you raise funds, donate, or host a donation drive, YOU can make a difference! As the days grow shorter and the weather grows colder, we need your support to help Cape and Islanders experiencing homelessness and housing instability throughout the region.

Our special Give-A-Thon campaign will kick off on Monday, November 13th.

Then on Friday, November 17th, we will celebrate our collective impact and recognize our many supporters who fundraised and hosted donation drives!

Give Hope Where You Live and help keep Cape Cod a thriving

Join the Celebration!

November 17th at our Hyannis and Orleans offices - more details to come!

year-round community!

REGISTER TODAY! HACGiveHopeWhereYouLive.org HACBEAT NOVEMBER 2022 | PAGE 16

HACbeat Sept/Oct 2023 | Page 15

Housing Assistance