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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Community Partnership Takes ‘Bold Steps’ in Forming Pilot Program to Aid Local Homeless Families

(Worcester, MA – June 5, 2007) On Monday, June 4 Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA) along with The Village at Cambridge Street announced a new Community Partnership during a news conference at Worcester State College (WSC).

In an effort to overcome barriers and fill gaps to help families move from homelessness to permanent housing, Worcester State College (WSC) and a diverse group of local agencies and institutions have come together to form the Bold Steps Initiative. Each agency or institution in this community partnership has identified specific services that it will bring to the table to assist families at The Village at Cambridge Street – a CMHA apartment-based family shelter in Worcester.

 “The combined efforts of the partners will assist families in taking steps towards employment, educational and training opportunities, enriched recreational and cultural activities for children and their families and an improved quality of life for these families in our community,” said Grace Carmark, executive director of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance. “It is a simple and comprehensive community response toward ending family homelessness.”

 As part of its ongoing support of homelessness initiatives, WSC will provide college prep ESL classes, scholarships for summer campus programs, professional success workshops and service learning courses in which WSC students receive credit for volunteering at The Village. During the news conference President Ashley announced that Worcester State College Foundation will provide funding to send 20 children from The Village to Camp Kinneywood this summer.

 Other Bold Steps partners include: Worcester Firefighters Local 1009, Curry College, Workforce Central, City of Worcester Health and Human Services, Massachusetts State Police, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, Worcester Probate and Family Court, Sports Alive, Worcester Boys and Girls Club and the L.T.L Dance Studio.

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