Renovation, Transformation & The Big Reveal

Ending violence. Creating Hope.

Fall 2015

EXCITING NEWS

The Shelter Renovation is Finished!

Thank you so much for opening this email amid the announcements of cyber sales, holiday greetings, and charitable donation appeals.

We had to share our excitement because today is a very big day at Transition House. After seven months of construction, we are officially marking the conclusion of our Shelter renovation! The paint has dried, the inspectors have signed off, and the parade of architects, carpenters, electricians, and engineers has slowed to a halt. The place is so bright and welcoming that every visitor wants to move right in.

The best reaction yet is from our former residents who had a special tour last week. They oohed and ahhed over the huge stainless steel kitchen island, the whole wall of refrigerators, and sparkling new bathrooms. And when they looked inside the bedrooms they'd once shared with their kids, every single one said, "Can I come back?"

One woman who lived with us seven years ago summed it up, "The people who come here deserve a wonderful place like this, thank you for making it happen." That's exactly how we all feel!

Our Shelter was built in 1890 and houses nine families 24/7, 365 days a year. It took years of careful planning and fundraising to make it beautiful.

We're absolutely thrilled that former residents, community partners and civic leaders all think it could pass for a bed and breakfast. Maybe one day, when the epidemic of violence is a thing of the past, it will be. And what a celebration we'll have!

Until then, we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped us bring this project to fruition. And, we ask for your continued commitment to Transition House and the families we serve. We all have a role to play in ending domestic violence in our community.

With deepest gratitude,

And Now... The Reveal!

Photos: Joel Howe

Our Heartfelt Thanks!

This project was a total community effort from the start, a testament to the way we can and must all work together to stop domestic violence.

The 2015 Shelter Renovation Dream Team

City of Cambridge: Tom McCarthy

Constructive Advisors: David Salomon

Davis Square Architects: Ross Speer and Lia Scheele

MCR Construction: Manny Reynoso and Gabriela Reynoso

Transition House: Risa Mednick

Lead Funder

The City of Cambridge Community Development Department: Richard Rossi, Lisa Peterson, Iram Farooq, Chris Cotter, Anna Dolmatch, Betty Lyons, Tom McCarthy

Alternative Housing Partner

Cambridge Housing Authority: Greg Russ, Michael Johnston, James Comer

Key Advocates

Representative Marjorie Decker, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Mayor David Maher

Generous Donors ($1,000 and above)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Andromeda Foundation, Anonymous (4), Kim Bandtel, Biomed Realty, Boston Properties, Cambridge Health Alliance Foundation, Cambridge Savings Bank, Cambridge Trust, Judith Clark, Sarah Cortes, Lilia Cuervo, Timothy Finn, Ann Fleck-Henderson, Forest City, David Gaynor & Bernice Goldman, Deborah Fagone & Dan Kalas, William Gerke, Glass Family Foundation, Carolyn Greenwald, Harvard University, John & Mary Heveran, HYM Investment Group, Amalie Kass, Wendy Koenig & John Walter, Dora Lau, Dora L International, Andrew Lewman, Jean K. Mason, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Normandy Real Estate Partners, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, River Foundation (in Memory of Miriam Goodman), Russell Colgate Foundation, the Stanton Family, Phyllis Strauss, Betsy and Matthew St. Onge, Whole Foods Markets at Fresh Pond, Prospect Street & River Street, Veolia Energy, Hollis Young

In-kind Supporters

Architectural & Interior Design: Halle Auerbach, Jamie Devol, Elizabeth Spatola,

Yuling Wang

Photography & Video: Phyllis Bretholtz, Deborah Fagone, Joel Howe, Brian Patriacca, Jim Petit, Nimblebot

Artwork: Original work by Ed Mason donated by Jean K. Mason and family

Landscaping: Jon DeLoge, Cambridge Plant and Garden Club

Board of Directors

Sarah Cortes, Paul Ellner, Deborah Fagone, Joy Fisher Williams, Teng Margaret Fu, Eliza Minsch, Lauren Perry, William Stanton, Hollis Young (chair)

The Home Team

Ronit Barkai, Lilly Benham, Dani Duke, Jenny Herrera, Julie Kahn-Schaye, Jasmine Khalfani, Shivangi Shah and the whole TH team with extra help from Boaz Barkai and David Hildum

THANK YOU ALL!

Everyone lent a hand! Here's Team Transition House getting ready to stain our new fence.

Perfect Timing for Holiday Gifting!

The renovation is done, but the bills are still coming in. We need YOU to sustain our hard work and there's no better time. We're closing in on our $30,000 goal in our first ever crowdfunding campaign. With your help, we'll be able to upgrade our security system, buy the furnishings our residents need and re-stock supplies of towels, sheets, cozy comforters and pillows.

Be part of this big community effort to give peace and comfort to the families who live with us now and the ones that will need us in the future. Please click here to be part of our CrowdRise Campaign. If you make a donation and ask your friends and family to join in, we'll get there fast!

Even better, double the good karma and take holiday gifting to the next level. Make your donation in honor of someone who inspires you!

If you prefer to write a check,

you can send your donation to:

Tr ansition House

P.O. Box 392016

Cambridge MA 02139

Stay Connected

P.O. Box 392016, Cambridge MA · 617.868.1650 · info@transitionhouse.org