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Partnerships + Funding + Community Support = Reduced Homelessness  Read about Action Emergency Shelter's integrated services

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¡Aprenda El Inglés!  Learn English!  Aprenda Ingles! Free English classes start January 9th

Action Shelter plans efficiency units Gloucester Daily Times 7/31/06

Action Toy drive missing its 'Mr. Santa Claus' Gloucester Daily Times 7/10/06

Action 41st Annual Meeting Photos 6/14/06

Action housing advocacy Gloucester Daily Times,  May 22, 2006

Action Energy alternative energy programs Boston Globe 4/9/06

"Unity through English language" Gloucester Times editorial 4/14/06

Certified Medical Assistant video Medical Assistant training program introductory video 2/1/06

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Support for Rockport families Gloucester Daily Times (letter) September 5, 2005 page A6

Thank you to the townspeople of Rockport, specifically the Community Preservation Committee, for funding the Tenant-Based Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program (TBRA) which is currently being administered by Action, Inc. This assistance is very much needed in Rockport. Your contribution has helped save Rockport families at risk of losing their homes. Please continue your support for another year.

I thought this would be a good time to review the program and the results we have seen thus far. The goal of the TBRA program is to help Rockport residents who have faced temporary setbacks through hardships such as sickness and job loss remain in the community and get back on their feet. The program subsidizes the rent or mortgage payments of participants for a limited time while also providing them with supportive services. The exact services differ according to the needs of the participants, but each individual (or family) is helped to overcome barriers to employment, to establish a budget, and to begin a savings plan.

There are many factors that can jeopardize an individual or family's stability. People who live on a fixed income, who earn low wages, or who live paycheck to paycheck may encounter unforeseen obstacles such as sickness or unemployment. Without the ability to earn the income they need to survive or a nest egg to fall back on, they may be facing homelessness. Or a sudden rent increase may make a family's housing unaffordable. Moving within the town may not be a viable option considering the high rents in Rockport. In addition, the cost of moving expenses and start-up fees (first and last months' rent, security deposit) can put a new home out of reach. Even those who are more financially solvent can be vulnerable. They may lose their job and have difficulty finding another. Eventually they exhaust their savings and increase their debt as they struggle to maintain their housing. But, ultimately, they may be forced out of their homes and even the community. One participant explained it like this: "So, we find ourselves in a very scary situation. No income at all and we have to extend a hand to others to help. Right now the dream is to hold on. Right now the only way we, two professional, job-seeking, unemployed individuals can do that is by getting help from agencies like Action" (through Community Preservation funds). We never thought to be in this position. We certainly didn't plan it but you know what they say: Life happens."

Since January of this year, Action has assisted six individuals and families with the use of Community Preservation Funds. All have shown marked improvement. One participant has moved of out an apartment that was not affordable and into elderly housing. One participant who was out of work due to illness is back to work and saving aggressively to develop a nest egg. Both parents in a family of four are again employed after having lost their jobs within weeks of one another. They no longer need the program. One participant whose job had become obsolete has graduated from a local college where she was re-trained in the healthcare field and begun a new job. One participant on a fixed income, whose rent was higher than her income, has been able to save quite a bit of money and is actively looking for an affordable rental situation. A family of four has been able to retain their housing in Rockport after one parent lost their job.

I urge the voters of Rockport to support the Tenant-Based Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program. This program does not foster dependence, rather it encourages self sufficiency. Thank you for helping Rockport residents in need.

Sincerely,
William Rochford
Executive Director
Action, Inc.