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January 2006
Have We Got
Some Exciting News...
For those of you who haven't yet heard,
Project Place is getting a new home! Through a competitive
bid process put out by The Boston Redevelopment Authority,
we succeeded in securing a piece of property on the corner
of Washington Street and East Berkley Street (only a few blocks
from our current location). The new building will house Project
Place programs and office space, as well as 14 affordable
housing units for our clients.
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The construction of GateHouse
officially kicked off on Saturday, October 22 when friends,
community members and supporters joined Mayor Menino,
our Honorary Campaign Chairman, to break ground on Project
Place's new home. We celebrated with a community block
party complete with giveaways, Rami Salami with his
balloon creations and face painting for children, as
well as award-winning food from the HomePlate pushcart.
Though it was a blisteringly cold day, the event was
well-attended and enjoyed by many of Project Place supporters
and neighbors –thank you for your unwavering commitment!
(at left)
Rendering of GateHouse, designed by the South End's
own Hacin + Associates
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Scheduled for completion in January 2007, Project Place
has raised over 75% of the funds needed for the $11
million project. Project Place is undertaking a capital
campaign to raise the remaining $2.5 million. We are
thrilled to announce that Julie Connelly, Senior
Vice President at Citizens Bank, has volunteered
to be our Campaign Champion. We have also received our
first pledges--$100,000 from Citizens Bank
and $25,000 from The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable
Foundation. Stay tuned for updates on our progress!
(at right) Not only is Mayor
Menino playing a critical role in our capital campaign,
but he also did his part at the Groundbreaking to ensure
that even our younge guests had a great time!
To learn more about how you can join
the effort, please contact Suzanne Kenney at (617) 542-3740
x13.
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Q&A With
Board President Emanuel Alves
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Manny Alves currently
serves as Vice President of Counsel, and Corporate
Secretary at John Hancock Financial Services. He began
at Project Place 10 years ago offering pro bono legal
services and support for Betty's. After two years
he decided to become more involved and joined Project
Place's Board of Directors. Manny's compassion, intelligence
and vision have provided Project Place with endless
support and direction.
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Why
did the board decide a new building was necessary for
Project Place? Under the leadership of Suzanne
Kenney, Project Place has experienced tremendous growth.
The agency has expanded its services, increased the number
of folks it serves and added new social enterprises to
employ clients. With this growth came the realization
that Project Place's current home limits the agency's
ability to advance towards its goal. From the outset,
the Board recognized that GateHouse represents more than
just a new building. It will allow the agency to continue
to grow and develop existing and new enterprises, expand
the number of clients we serve and advance Project Place's
mission of eradicating homelessness by adding 14 new affordable
apartments.
What do you think
GateHouse represents for Project Place, both as a milestone
in its history and as part of its strategy moving forward?
In its 38+ year history, Project Place has had to adapt repeatedly
to the changing needs of the communities it serves. GateHouse
is by far the most exciting step in the agency's evolution.
We will now be able to offer hope --in the form of available,
affordable housing--to folks who, through extraordinary courage,
struggle to break out of the shackles
of homelessness.
What
is the biggest challenge for Project Place in developing GateHouse?
We need to raise $2.5 million dollars. A friend once told
me that Massachusetts (and especially Boston-area) residents
have among the highest rates of disposal income, but that
we rank among the lowest in terms of philanthropic giving.
He quipped that we may have the deepest pockets, but the shortest
arms in the nation! I urge, and humbly ask, all friends and
supporters of Project Place to lengthen their arms and reach
deeply into their pockets to help us to help those who struggle
with the most basic necessities of daily life.
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Project
Place Happenings
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Every
year Project Place hosts a Thanksgiving lunch
to celebrate the holiday with clients and staff. This
year's meal was a huge success thanks to the help of
our enthusiastic staff and fabulous volunteers (including
Precious and John pictured left), as well as the hard
work of Azeb Girma who oversaw the cooking
and production. Moreover, our deepest appreciation to
Andrew & Jeanne Brownell and Sysco for generously
donating pies for the gathering which were delicious
and enjoyed by all!
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Welcome
to our newest Board members: Jerome Smith, David DePree
and Rajeev Balakrishna. We are fortunate to have
these very talented people on our board. They join a caring,
committed and passionate group of people who contribute generously
of their time and resources all year long. Welcome!
Thank
you to all who have donated to Project Place's Annual
HolidayAppeal. We have raised an amazing $45,000 to date!
Every dollar is critical in helping us provide continued support
to homeless men and women in their struggle for self-sufficiency.
A
special thanks for the generous grants received from
the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving: The Beatrice
Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund, John Hancock, Phyllis W. McGillicuddy
Charitable Trust, Project Bread, Social Venture Partners,
State Street, Polaroid Fund at The Boston Foundation, Gould
Family Foundation, TJX Foundation, and Wellesley Congregational
Church.
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Congratulations
to our Client of the Quarter
Our hats go off to Marisela, the most
recent recipient of Project Place's "Client of the Quarter"
award. Award-winners are selected through a nomination process
in which both Project Place staff and clients select a candidate
who demonstrates cooperation with staff, respect for others,
and provides an overall level of inspiration to everyone.
Marisela is a young mother of two
beautiful girls and was a participant in our Project 90 job
readiness program. In her own words, Marisela speaks of her
experience at Project Place:
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"I learned a number of
things from my participation in Project 90 including
how to work with and deal with older adults that have
more life and work experience than myself. It was a
good experience and I appreciated the opportunity to
work at my internship at the Susan Bailis Assisted Living
program and attend the job readiness training classes
in the afternoon. I appreciated learning that I can
do some things that people can't or won't try to do,
I was chosen as the client of the quarter, and received
an award. I always try to do the best for my two daughters
and myself. The experience helped me to believe in and
to find myself and because of that I am now attending
Bryman Institute studying to be a Medical Administrative
Assistant. If it were not for Project Place, I would
not have achieved my goals."
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Keep up
the great work
Marisela--you are a true
inspiration to us all!
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