HEARTH Program
Helping Empower and Resettle through Housing
The HEARTH program is a Community Sponsorship program for families exiting an emergency shelter. The goal of HEARTH is to provide families with support and services as they transition into self-sufficiency in their new home.
HEARTH FAMILIES
Families eligible for HEARTH:
- Are recent arrivals to the United States who are currently living in a local Massachusetts Shelter
- Have work authorization in the United States and a valid Social Security Numbers
- Are employed or are actively seeking employment w/ the assistance of their shelter and Catholic Charities
- Are eligible for HomeBASE funds to subsidize the cost of rent for their apartment
The Goal of HEARTH:
We can give families the best chance for long-term self-sufficiency through our work to assist families in adjusting to their new lives in our community. Together, in your role as a Community Sponsor through the HEARTH Program and our role providing stabilization services for the family, HEARTH families have the best chance to successfully stabilize and integrate into our society and avoid re-entry into the shelter system.
HEARTH TEAMS
HEARTH Teams are groups of individuals that come together to shepherd a shelter-exiting family during their first year in permanent housing. Working with a Case Manager and Housing Specialist at Catholic Charities, HEARTH teams help an assigned family with several critical tasks, including:
- Finding and securing their first apartment.
- Furnishing their new apartment
- Providing Community and Cultural Orientation to assist families in acclimating to their new local community
- Connecting the family to local support and resources
- Orientation to local transportation
- Connection to local food pantries, organizations, and opportunities for learning English, career advancement, etc.
- Mentoring families on the responsibility of being good tenants, safety/cleanliness in the new home.