On Tuesday, July 28, Emmaus was honored to welcome leaders from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), the City of Haverhill, and the Massachusetts Legislature for a morning of conversation, collaboration, and connection addressing homelessness and expanding access to stable housing.
We were pleased to host EOHLC Secretary Juana Matias, Undersecretary Chris Thompson, and Assistant Undersecretary Marvin Mathelier. Joining them were State Representative Andy Vargas; Sharoline Galva, representative for Senator Pavel Payano; Zoe Glenn, representative for Senator Barry Finegold; Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett; and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Director Andrew Herlihy.
During their visit, guests toured Mitch’s Place, Emmaus’ shelter for individuals, and the Emmaus Family Shelter, where they met with staff and learned more about the comprehensive services Emmaus provides to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness find stability, hope, and a path to permanent housing. The group also received an overview of Emmaus’ supportive housing properties, which provide long-term housing opportunities for formerly homeless families and individuals throughout the Greater Haverhill community.
The visit provided an opportunity for a meaningful discussion about the growing challenges facing individuals and families across Massachusetts, including housing affordability, homelessness prevention, and the importance of strong partnerships among nonprofit organizations, local government, and state leaders. Together, we can continue building solutions that help people achieve safe, stable housing and brighter futures.
For decades, Emmaus has provided shelter, meals, housing, and supportive services to individuals and families with nowhere else to turn, helping more than 45,000 people rebuild their lives. We are deeply grateful to Secretary Matias and all of our guests for taking the time to visit Emmaus, learn more about our work, and reaffirm their commitment to strengthening our community. Partnerships like these are essential to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to find stability and a place to call home.