The Powderhouse

Feds sends $1.4 million for city homeless providers

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced Jan. 3 that 15 programs, administered by seven organizations, serving Somerville’s homeless population have been awarded a combined total of $1.9 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the McKinney Continuum of Care awards. The total funds are significantly more than the $1.4 million received in the previous round of funding.

This funding will play an integral role in our long-term mission to end homelessness through more effective outreach efforts and by providing permanent housing to our homeless population,” said the mayor. I'm grateful that HUD has recognized the value of the services provided by these organizations and the potential of new programs such as Stepping Stones to make a real impact.”

"We here at Shelter are thrilled that the Stepping Stones Program has received this grant money," said Gordie Calkins, program manager for Shelter Inc., "We will use the funds to provide Case Management and Permanent Supported Housing to medically needy homeless individuals. Working with other organizations and the City of Somerville, we are making concrete progress on ending homelessness in this city."

Mayor, City Women’s Commission Sets Sept. 27 Date for Anti-violence Summit

Mayor’s Anti-Violence Task Force Reconvened; Public Forum to Include Local Agencies, Proposals for Local Initiatives

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Sonja Darai, Executive Director of the Somerville Commission for Women, announced today that the city will officially launch the Mayor’s Anti-Violence Task Force with a public forum on Thursday, September 27th at 2:00 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall – 93 Highland Avenue. The event will bring together local sexual assault, domestic violence, and violence prevention agencies and services to provide assistance to Somerville residents.

“Over the past year, there’s been a disturbing increase in the number of domestic violence murders across Massachusetts,” Mayor Curtatone said. “It’s important that we recognize this larger societal problem and continue to work to end this devastating crime. Reconvening the Anti-Violence Task Force is helping us develop more aggressive prevention and enforcement measures – and to shed light on a tragic and urgent problem.”

Since January, 35 domestic violence-related murders have been reported in the Commonwealth, according to a report by Jane Doe Inc., a Massachusetts coalition against domestic violence.

“In light of the extreme rise in domestic violence recently, it is more important than ever that we come together as a community and vow to resolve this terrible problem,” said Darai. “The upcoming forum and the work of the Task Force represent the ways in which we are working to eliminate sexual assault and domestic violence in Somerville, and to raise awareness at the local level.”

The official launch of the Anti-Violence Task Force on September 27th will be held in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., and will include twelve agencies and organizations associated with the task force. In addition to promoting a new directory of local anti-violence programs, agencies will also offer free “palm cards” – information and contact cards which promote anonymity by fitting into the palm of a hand.

The Anti-Violence Task Force was reconvened by Mayor Curtatone and the Somerville Commission for Women in 2005, and operates under the mission statement: “The City of Somerville will not tolerate domestic violence. Individuals, families, city representatives, organizations, and communities will work together to prevent and ultimately eliminate domestic violence. We will strive to provide an array of culturally sensitive, well- supported services promoting safety, health, and justice for all individuals and families affected by domestic violence.”

In the last year, task force members met monthly with local agencies, and formed subcommittees to address local issues and to promote new programs. The 2007 forum is a culmination of these meetings, and includes public presentation of available and updated services.

For more information on the Anti-Violence Task Force and the September 27th forum, please contact Executive Director of the Somerville Commission for Women Sonja Darai at 617-625-6600 ext 2406.