United Way aids Lynn’s homeless

LYNN – The United Way kicked off Lynn’s fight against homelessness Monday with a check for $350,000 that will fund the organization’s new Financial Stability Center at 270 Union St.Lt. Gov. Tim Murray was on hand for the ceremony and to offer state support for the initiative that is designed to prevent homelessness. Bringing resources and stakeholders under one roof provides leverage that keeps families from becoming homeless, he said, adding that programs to reduce domestic violence also play a role.”Unemployment in Massachusetts has reached its highest level in 33 years. More than 1,000 families are living in motels because shelters are at capacity,” said Michael K. Durkin, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley.According to Durkin, the United Way is responding to the urgency of this situation by launching the Financial Stability Center, housed in the former Eastern Bank building at the corner of Union and Silsbee streets. The funds will be distributed to 26 agencies.”There’s a new breed of need across the commonwealth,” said Durkin, noting that the $350,000 is merely seed money and more will be required.The strategy is to centralize resources to make sure families have enough funds and skills to remain financially stable, safe and successful. Stable families are less apt to become homeless.”By working together, we can be better together,” Durkin said.The lieutenant governor echoed that message. “By partnering with a number of agencies in the region, United Way’s initiative will provide individuals and families with needed emergency assistance this winter while also helping them move towards financial stability,” Murray said.The Financial Stability Center expands the availability of emergency basic needs such as food, heat and shelter. It also provides access of resources through 2-1-1, a free, confidential state information phone number that directs callers to the appropriate agency or organization where help can be obtained.The new center is designed to teach people how to gain and protect their assets, achieve financial independence and acquire job skills. It also supports the long-term recovery of families and oversees a continuum of services.According to the United Way, nearly 6,000 children are homeless in Massachusetts and a growing number of working families cannot cover the basic costs of living, such as food, heat and shelter. Homeless families need up to 21 months to recover from whatever situation was responsible for their current circumstances.”Now is the time for the community to come together to ensure we have a coordinated, collaborative approach that not only ensures individuals and families get the immediate help they need while they are on the brink, but also to ensure they are able to achieve a level of financial stability necessary to become thriving, contributing members of the commonwealth.”Some of the opportunities include financial education, credit counseling and basic banking tutorials; free tax preparation; computer and job-related skills training; financial aid application assistance; matched savings information; housing services referrals and home buyer education. Meghan Keaney, United Way communications director, said unemployment in Lynn climbed to double digits between June 2008 and June 2009, from 6.4 percent to 10.8 percent.That was part of the reason the United Way decided to join with Lynn-based Serving People in Need (SPIN) to create the center.It’s anticipated that 500 Lynn families – or 1,500 individuals – will use services provided by the center in 2010.