State To End Homeless Program Placing Homeless Families in Waltham Hotels

The program places families in two Waltham hotels.

The state Dept. of Housing and Community Development plans to end a program that places homeless families in hotels, including two in Waltham, according to the Boston Globe. The program, which started during the 1980s, would end by June 30, 2014. With the closing, the state plans to bolster efforts to find permanent housing and prevent homelessness, according to the Globe. However, housing advocates fear permanent housing for program participants may never be found, according to the Globe. The decision comes as the economic downturn stretched the program to its 2,000 hotel room limit, according to the Globe.  Aaron Gornstein, undersecretary for DHCD, told the Globe the program is not an "efficient" use of taxpayer money. While the program …

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Frosty the Snowman

1:51 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

There are few bad apples here that post comments and spoil the bunch. Just like there a few bad apples that abuse the system and spoil the bunch.   more ›

The Faces of Homelessness in Waltham

New exhibit highlights the plight of local homeless individuals.

Next time you are walking down Moody Street, take note of the solemn still faces staring back at you. The faces are photos of local homeless citizens that are part of the Community Day Center's new "Faces' art exhibit at Boston University's Center For Digital Imaging Arts.  Each photo is accompanied by a short description of the person pictured meant to highlight the dreams contributions of homeless people. Some of the faces in the exhibit are involved in with the Community Day Center, a Waltham-based agency that assists homeless people.   “A guest told me that she was homeless, but she was more than that.  Under the supportive environment of the Day Center, our guests reveal their real life stories of survival, hopes and achievements,” …

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Moms Talk

Charity Begins in the Car

Our cup-holders runneth over.

I caught God looking at me. He wasn’t being sneaky about it; He was hanging out right there in the passenger seat beside me as I drove up Beacon. Every morning on my way to work, I pass an elderly gentleman who stations himself at a busy intersection of Beacon Street. As the cars stop at the light, he patiently weaves himself between them, slow and hunched over, one hand gripping his cane and the other shaking a large plastic cup in a jingling plea for monetary support. He’s there, dripping in the pouring rain, and there still, bundled up in countless layers of clothing on the coldest of winter mornings. For three years I’ve driven by him, but I’ve never helped him. Not because I’m not a good person, I am. I AM. In truth, I’ve always …

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