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Elizabeth Curtis

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Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Wed, 12/10/2008

Linking Homeless People to People-less Housing?

The right idea, but we can do better.
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In the December 2nd issue of the Boston Globe there was an intriguing article that caught my attention. In Miami there is a homeless advocate who has started helping homeless individuals and families locate empty foreclosed homes in which they can squat. In case you're unfamiilar with the practice, squatting is when one illegally stays in an empty or abandoned property.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Fri, 11/21/2008

Live United Hero: David Weinberg

How one man uses his passion for photography to help others

I am excited to nominate David Weinberg as our first Live United Hero! I have gotten to know David over the last several years through his relationship with United Way, but after speaking with him today about being a Live United Hero I have an even greater respect for him. I am nominating David today for the remarkable photographic work he has volunteered in support of both United Way and one of our partners in ending homelessness, Heading Home, Inc. More specifically, David is a Live United Hero because his support is just a way of life.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Wed, 10/15/2008

Blog Action Day: Where do we stand on this day?

Some personal thoughts on the state of the state.

Today is Blog Action Day wherein people all over are joining together to think and write about poverty. It's a big task to undertake, and quite frankly, I'm not completely sure where to start. As I sit writing this I am thinking about the state budget cuts that are set to be announced later today. And, of course, I can't help but think every day about the larger economic crisis facing our country and the globe.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Wed, 10/08/2008

Day 4 of the Food Stamp Challenge - a new twist

Boredom adds a new layer to laying off the snacks.
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It's Day 4 of the Challenge, and I'm home sick from work today. I'm laying on the couch, bored, and thinking about what I can eat. I have about an hour before it would be reasonable to break into my lunchmeat, but, again, that oatmeal just didn't do it for me this morning.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Tue, 10/07/2008

I hate oatmeal

Gaining some perspective on food insecurity...
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I'm on Day 3 of the $21 a week challenge - and I'm so glad my colleagues suggested we take on this experience. So far I'm not eating a lot less than I typically do, but I have experienced some challenges. First and foremost, let me explain the title of this post. I hate oatmeal. Ok, that's probably pretty straightforward. Last Friday in an attempt to budget out a plan for the week and get the most bang or my buck I spent about 2 hours planning my strategy. I quickly realized how expensive milk was and decided to think outside my Cheerios box for a breakfast alternative.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Fri, 09/12/2008

United Way Board Gains New Perspective

Poverty Simulator Sheds Light on Challenges

I wanted to share a synopsis of a very interesting experience I was part of this week. On September 9, 2008 United Way offered an experience to its Board members that was incredibly rewarding. We utilized the Missouri Community Action Poverty Simulation Program   to deepen our Board's understanding and empathy for the low-income families we aim to serve each and every day. As co-facilitator I had a bird's eye view on the experience that day.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Fri, 07/11/2008

We must open everyone's eyes to homelessness

How do hundreds of people walk past a man being murdered in broad daylight?
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I don't understand. Has our community really gone so far to avoid looking at hard problems to let a vulnerable man be murdered? On the Fourth of July when most of us were visting parades and eating hot dogs a homeless man was beaten to death. It was in broad daylight. It was in one of the most heavily traveled areas of Boston. But, no one seemed to notice. Did people choose not to notice?  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Tue, 07/01/2008

The Latino Community is Being Hit Very Hard by Foreclosures

A new NPR story describes the effects on the whole community.
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On June 20, 2008 National Public Radio ran a story on the impact of the foreclosure crisis on the Latino community. We've written about foreclosures several times over the last few months, but this story taught me more about how the situation effects both individual homeowners as well as the community (and the economy) as a whole.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Wed, 06/25/2008

Hometown Hero

Mo Vaughn is looking for a different kind of win
in

Today's Boston Globe features a story about Mo Vaughn, former Red Sox first baseman, and his work to increase affordable housing availability here in Boston and in other regions of the country. Vaughn achieved great personal success as a professional baseball player, and now appears to be focusing his second career on advancing the common good and working on behalf of the larger community.  read more »

Elizabeth Curtis
Elizabeth Curtis
Tue, 05/27/2008

Nowhere Else to Go

Solutions have been presented, but until Housing First is implemented families are stuck
in

In last Saturday's Globe Jonathan Scott, a partner of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, wrote a compelling letter in reaction to the town of Yarmouth's policies to shut down motels that house guests for more than 30 days. Jonathan writes of the reality that many homeless families have had to resort to renting rooms in motels due to a lack of affordable alternatives (in some cases they end up there on their own, in others they are sent there by the state because regular shelter beds are full).

Bear with me, but before I go on with my point I want to just imagine that for a second. Living with my little kids on the side of a busy road, no kitchen, maybe no refrigerator, my family and friends are all somewhere else.  read more »

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