The October meeting of the North Quabbin Community Coalition focused on resources to prevent homelessness. The face of homelessness in the North Quabbin, as is true in most rural communities, is not the same as the stereotypes we see portrayed in the media. Homelessness affects people of all ages, races, and classes. Homelessness can affect both families and individuals. Homelessness is often an invisible population right here in our own community.

     Resources to prevent homelessness have recently been cut and programs like First Call for Help/North Quabbin (a program of Community Action) are no longer funded to provide case management as part of prevention. First Call continues to work with income-eligible families both in the Athol Orange Family Inn shelter or those living without a permanent address. Many families and individuals fall above the income guidelines and are forced to live in vehicles, or to stay with various friends and family constantly moving around. The instability of being homeless has an impact on the educational readiness of children, as well as on the emotional and physical health of all. First Call will continue to advocate for the necessary resources to support area residents and will be providing an informational packet to anyone in need that outlines steps to follow to prevent becoming homeless and what you can do if you are currently homeless. First Call for Help/North Quabbin is located at 423 Main Street, Athol or can be reached by phone at (978) 249-4295.

     Dial Self’s new programs in downtown Orange are another resource targeting homelessness. The program is designed to work with youth at risk of homelessness and the programs are rapidly expanding to provide an even wider array of services to meet local need. Dial Self is currently developing a model to provide 4 to 6 beds in the North Quabbin area to house local youth. The program is also investigating options in bringing services like those provided in Greenfield now as part of the Night Owl program to the North Quabbin. The program offers an overnight emergency warming site for youth who find themselves without shelter after hours.

      The reality of homelessness is that many of those living in our community are just one paycheck away from being there. The increasing rates of foreclosures that have become so publicized in the media are also a part of the reality of our community. Resources, consumer education and access to information are our best tools to promote change. Fore more information about area resources, please visit the NQCC website at www.nqcc.org or you can request a hard copy of the Resource Directory by calling (978) 249-3703.