Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Mayor Charles Moreau and heating assistance advocates joined Joseph P. Kennedy II at the New Hope Shelter this week to present a heating assistance grant to shelter Director David McCreadie, which will help manage the shelter’s skyrocketing bills.
For the past several years, Citizens Energy’s Shelter Winter Assistance Program has provided heating assistance to thousands of homeless men, women, and children in over a hundred Massachusetts and Rhode Island homeless shelters every winter. The Citizens program enables shelters to pay a portion of their heating bills, freeing up limited shelter funds to support crucial services, including health care, education, and employment services, for society's most vulnerable citizens.
“We’re always forced to cut corners during the winter to keep up with our heating costs. Getting this assistance means we don’t need to worry about cutting any programs or services. We’re very grateful for this generous grant that will help all of our families tremendously,” said David McCreadie, Director of the New Hope Shelter.
“Citizens Energy is so proud to help New Hope Shelter continue their important work in the community. We hope this assistance makes things a little easier to manage this winter,” said Citizens Energy Chairman, Joseph P. Kennedy II.
New Hope for Families was started in 1986 by a group of concerned citizens in Pawtucket and Central Falls to provide families with a safe place to go to rebuild their resources and their lives. As the only emergency family shelter in the area, families come to the shelter from a variety of circumstances. Each year, New Hope provides shelter to nearly 50 families. In February 2006, New Hope expanded its program to the Branch Street location, which has five apartments to accommodate five families. Most families stay up to three months but can stay longer if warranted. The focus is on case management and helping families rebuild their lives by gaining employment, permanent housing as well as additional services per the families' needs. New Hope also has a facility on Barton Street in Pawtucket that has two apartments for families in need.