November 17, 2023
Dear Robyn,
Thank you to everyone who reached out to State Representatives and Senators this week in support of the $250 million supplemental budget request and language on family homelessness issues. Unfortunately, the House and Senate were unable to reconcile the differences between their versions of the budget before formal sessions ended for the calendar year very early yesterday morning. Now, the Legislature has shifted into seven weeks of informal sessions (during which it only takes one dissenting vote to derail legislation) and a conference committee has been named to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget.
The House and Senate have announced that the first informal sessions will take place this Monday, so we are working with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute to quickly mobilize our members and allies to join us in front of the State House that day for a candlelight vigil. Your presence is vital to underscore how critical state-funded overflow shelter spaces are for children and families. Since last Friday, dozens of families have been deemed eligible for shelter and then placed on a waiting list, with many families heading to stay in places not meant for human habitation or to very temporary accommodations arranged by community-based organizations.
Who: Families, advocates, providers, community leaders, faith community members, and more
What: Vigil to show support for families and children experiencing homelessness and to call on state leaders to establish overflow shelter sites for families on the waiting list for longer-term shelter placements
When: Monday, November 20th, 4–5 p.m.
Where: In front of the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133, across from the Boston Common
Please keep reading below for more details on the vigil and related call-in day and share this invitation with others: https://tinyurl.com/11-20-vigil
We hope to see you on Monday! Thank you as always for your partnership and advocacy.
With hope and gratitude,
Kelly and Julia
Kelly Turley
She/her/hers
Associate Director
kelly@mahomeless.org
Julia Garvey
She/her/hers
Community Organizer/Legislative Advocate
julia.garvey@mahomeless.org
P.S. Stay up to date with the Coalition’s advocacy initiatives by following us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. (Links also included at the top of this message.)
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