Our September newsletter is here and it has some BIG news! Click here to read the exciting updates.
Yoga on the Common - Supporting COH!
Local yoga instructor Samantha Hoff is hosting yoga classes on Needham Town Common in September and October. The classes are FREE, but Samantha is accepting donations to raise money for Circle of Hope!
The first of the three free classes took place in August and raised vital funds for the homeless children, women, and men we serve. We're so grateful to Samantha for this new fundraiser to help Circle of Hope keep homeless individuals and families healthy.
Details of the next two classes are below.
What: All levels vinyasa yoga class
Where: Needham Town Common (in front of Town Hall)
When: Sunday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 12:30-1:30 (arrive 15 minutes early to set up)
For more info, visit Samantha's website by clicking here.
Circle of Hope Receives $12,000 Grant from the MAXIMUS Foundation
COH Board Member Sarah Hart and her mother, Sue, packaging clothing for two families who lost everything in a recent house fire
We are very pleased to announce that Circle of Hope has received a $12,000 grant from the MAXIMUS Foundation to support our shelter deliveries, general operations, and Emergency Response Program. With these funds, we have already helped two homeless families who lost everything in a house fire and we will be able to help many more families recover from trauma in the coming year.
“In recognition of the many contributions they have made to their community, the MAXIMUS Foundation is pleased to award a grant to Circle of Hope,” said MAXIMUS Foundation Chairman John Boyer. “We are delighted to present this award to such an exemplary organization whose work reflects our shared values – partnering with people in disadvantaged communities so they build better lives for themselves, their children, and their neighbors. I thank Circle of Hope for its commitment to enriching the lives of those it serves.”
We are very grateful to the MAXIMUS Foundation for helping Circle of Hope protect the health and dignity of homeless individuals and families in Greater Boston.
Read more about Circle of Hope’s exciting new grant in Hometown Weekly and Needham Times.
Summer 2019 News from Circle of Hope
Circle of Hope Receives $20,000 Grant from Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation
We are thrilled to report that Circle of Hope has received a $20,000 grant from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation!
These funds will support our partnerships with Clinton House Family Shelter and Pearl Street Family Shelter in Framingham. Through these two partnerships, we provide clothing, Welcome Baby Bags, and toiletries to 20 families experiencing homelessness at a time.
The grant will also support our new pilot partnership with Framingham State University, where we give homeless college students the clothing and everyday necessities they need to attend school in good health. We are very grateful to the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation for giving us the opportunity to deepen our impact on homeless individuals and families in MetroWest.
Read more about this exciting new grant in The MetroWest Daily News and Framingham Source.
Go-To Crew Request: Towels Urgently Needed!
Our partner shelters urgently requested new and gently used towels today and we are completely out! Please donate clean towels to Circle of Hope this week so that we can give them to the homeless individuals and families who need them right away. Thank you!
To join the Go-To Crew and receive emails about urgent donation requests, please click here.
Important Traffic Update
Starting June 5, Rosemary Street will be partially closed due to a construction project this month. Circle of Hope will remain open during our normal hours for the duration of the construction period and donors can still drop off donations.
As you approach the entrance to Rosemary Street from Webster Street, stop and tell the officer on site that you are going to Circle of Hope, which is beyond the construction area. Follow his or her instructions regarding the best way to proceed to Circle of Hope.
Thank you for your patience and understanding! We hope to see you soon.
June 2019 News
Circle of Hope’s June newsletter is out! Click here to read more about HOPE Blooms, our innovative new partnership with Framingham State University, an exciting new grant from Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation, and more!
Thank you for supporting HOPE Blooms!
On Saturday, May 11, 150 guests celebrated Circle of Hope's tenth anniversary at our third annual fundraiser, HOPE Blooms, at Needham Golf Club. The evening was full of great food, an incredible silent auction, and, most importantly, wonderful, generous people. We are proud to share that the event raised $120,000 to support the homeless children, women, and men we serve.
Honored guest Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley spoke about the crucial role Circle of Hope plays in helping homeless individuals and families in Greater Boston and MetroWest. We were honored to have her join us.
Circle of Hope presented Dr. Laurie Konowitz with the inaugural "Hope Award," honoring her dedication to homeless infants during her 30-year career as a remarkable neonatologist.
COH Executive Director Barbara Waterhouse (left) with Dr. Laurie Konowitz (right)
Drs. Laurie and Paul Konowitz established The Newborn Fund at Circle of Hope to support and expand our Welcome Baby Program. Launched in April, The Newborn Fund at Circle of Hope has already raised more than $25,000! These funds will help homeless newborns in Circle of Hope's partner shelters and clinics get a strong and healthy start.
We are grateful to everyone who supported HOPE Blooms by sponsoring, donating, or attending the event. Last year, we provided clothing and necessities to 6,600 homeless infants, children, women, and men - a 20% increase over the previous year. This winter alone, we also provided 5,500 winter coats to people experiencing homelessness. You, our incredible supporters, made this possible.
Thank you to our dedicated event committee and Circle of Hope Board for all of the energy and enthusiasm you put into HOPE Blooms. Thank you to Rep. Pressley for your time and your inspiring words. Thank you to Drs. Laurie and Paul Konowitz for establishing The Newborn Fund and continuing to help homeless babies. Thank you Four Seasons Greenery for the beautiful floral arrangements. And thank you to our HOPE Blooms 2019 sponsors for making this amazing evening possible:
Charles River Apparel, Presenting Sponsor
Betsy & Bruce Amsbary | Amstar Group | Myra & John Anderson | Jodie & Frank Apeseche | Beaumont Capital Management | Linda Borman | Betsy & Eric Cohen | Dedham Savings | Donna & Michael DeFuria | Louise & Peter Donovan | Sarah & Christopher Escobedo Hart | Four Seasons Greenery | Emily Goode | Pamela & Bruce Goody | Jill & Jeremy Grossman | Susan & Ron Halpern | Hartney Greymont | Honey Dew Donuts | Marla & Bill Kannel | Lizbeth & George Krupp | Suzanne & Dave Lissy | Longmeadow Group | Peggy Lowenstein & Steve Berez | Wendy & David Lustbader | Mainsale Management | Needham Bank | Carolyn & Dana Pope | Alan Reese | Christine & Kevin Ruddy | Rosemarie & Jeff Rudin | Jeannie & Phil Shapiro | SharkNinja | Dale & Peter Sinesi | Anya & Corey Thomas | Trisha & Rob Ticktin | Tieso Family | Barbara & Jay Waterhouse | Judy Waterhouse | Wegmans | Anne Welch & Stephen McMillan | Wellesley Bank Charitable Foundation | Wells Fargo
Together, we are building a brighter future for homeless children and adults in Boston and Metro West. THANK YOU!
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley attending HOPE Blooms
Photo Credit: Office of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
We are excited to share that Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley will attend HOPE Blooms as our honored guest. Rep. Pressley has been a champion for those in the Greater Boston area experiencing homelessness, poverty, and trauma for more than a decade, and we are thrilled to have her join us on May 11!
Celebrate 10 years of helping homeless individuals at our festive spring fundraiser. Funds raised at HOPE Blooms will support Circle of Hope's mission to promote the health and dignity of homeless children, women, and men in Boston and MetroWest.
