By ADAM SWIFT
PEABODY — Two of the city’s best-known nonprofits have merged, with the goal of helping local families and individuals leave hunger and homelessness behind.
As of Thursday, Citizens Inn, Inc. and Haven from Hunger, Inc. will be known as Citizens Inn.
“We didn’t think this would come together so quickly, but both boards voted to approve this last week,” said Corey Jackson, Citizens Inn’s executive director.
Through the merger, Citizens Inn will continue its homelessness prevention and social services programs while incorporating the hunger prevention programs and the 71 Wallis Street building into its operation. The hunger prevention programs will continue to operate under the Haven from Hunger name.
“When Haven from Hunger’s board approached Citizen’s Inn with the opportunity to merge, we became very excited about the possibility of supporting an even greater population of families and individuals in need,” said Jackson. “Citizens Inn believes strongly in the important services that Haven from Hunger provides to the community. Through the merger, we will ensure that these efforts evolve and expand for decades to come.”
An organization with the capacity of Citizens Inn, with its experience in finance, development, and facility management will help streamline and expand the services currently offered by Haven, according to Jackson.
Citizens Inn operates 34 emergency shelter units at Citizens In Between and Citizens Inn Transition, and 15 units of affordable housing and social service programs for families at Citizens Inn Homes.
“Citizens Inn has fiscal stability, a good reputation in the community and extensive social service experience; all the things that are needed to continue the mission of the Haven,” said Robert McHugh, a former president of Haven from Hunger.
In addition to continuing Haven’s food pantry and community meals program on Wallis Street, Jackson said Citizens Inn will look at a longer-term vision of providing a workforce development program similar to how Boston’s Pine Street Inn partners with the 99 Restaurants.
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. said the merger is good news for Peabody and the region.
“Together, these two wonderful organizations will have an even greater impact on the lives of so many of our friends, neighbors, and family members,” the mayor said.
