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Community Development InitiativesThe Coalition works to bring together public and private entities, both non- and for-profit, to serve the needs of the community. We are always considering new initiatives to involve residents, businesses, and municipal resources. Ongoing community initiatives include: Gloucester Crossing Resource Group: Working Mission Statement
The mission of the Gloucester Crossing Resource Group is to coordinate community partnerships and resources to promote financial stability and improve the quality of life for the residents of the Gloucester Crossing neighborhood. The Coalition is committed not only to building housing, but also to coordinating community revitalization through our work to bring opportunity and empowerment to low-income people. The Coalition and the North Shore United Way led the formation of the Gloucester Crossing Resource Group, a new collaborative that also includes Beverly Bootstraps, North Shore Together, this group coordinates community supports for low-income residents of the Participating agencies include: Beverly Affordable Housing Coalition Beverly Bootstraps Community Services Beverly Children's Learning Center Beverly Police Department Centerville School Health and Education Services North Shore Career Center North Shore Community Action Programs North Shore United Way North Shore Workforce Investment Board Salvation Army St. Vincent de Paul Society Strongest Link YMCA of the North Shore For more information about participating or to find out more about our work, contact David Bresnahan, Program Manager. (Click Here) Gloucester Crossing Initiative:In 2003, the Coalition participated in what became known as the Gloucester Crossing Initiative. Gloucester Crossing is an economically distressed neighborhood in Beverly that has struggled with poverty and crime since the area's largest employer closed down in the 1990s. The Coalition worked with the local neighborhood association, the local City Councilor, and concerned residents to raise funds and build support for the renovation of a city park in the middle of the neighborhood. Working with the City of Beverly, they obtained a commitment from the Parks Department to maintain and staff the park. Today, the park serves the children of the community and is a bright spot in the improving neighborhood, where most of our properties are located. Beverly Hoarding Task ForceHoarding is a serious social and health issue affecting many elderly and disabled individuals, some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community. In 2006, the Beverly Council on Aging and the Beverly Board of Health established a working group of over a dozen local agencies and non-profits who deal with the issue of hoarding from varying perspectives. The Coalition was approached to represent the housing field as part of this working group. The initial meeting of the Task Force brought together representatives from the founding groups, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and several senior service agencies. The group will hold monthly meetings to educate each other on the various issues surrounding hoarding and to establish a better means of communication and means to address individual cases of hoarding with partnering groups. More information about the Beverly Hoarding Task Force can be found at the group's blog, by clicking here. BAHC |