MAAP is a small but important grassroots organization in the middle of a global pandemic. Information is changing rapidly, and we are always very careful not to speak for people experiencing homelessness. And, yet we know if we don’t speak up no one will say the obvious: the Commonwealth doesn’t have a plan for people experiencing homelessness but especially for those living unsheltered.

With your help we can make a difference. More people will be unsheltered in the coming days. We know this. Two seasonal shelters told MAAP community members, including many young people, they will be closing weeks early— potentially as soon as next week. On Thursday, staff provided people with survival supplies and had challenging conversations with young people about sleeping rough; a long-time volunteer was there and quickly went to Target to purchase tents and tarps for them. We are both heartbroken and outraged on their behalf.

Here’s how we’re making a difference:

Controlling what we can: we have put in place a system to make the best decisions we can as a small grassroots organization. Each Sunday, we’ll make a Board/Staff decision based on the information we have and the needs community members have identified about our services for the coming week with the full transparency that that could change daily as we monitor external conditions and our resources.
Moving our support outside: we will be outside the Friends Meeting at Cambridge offering material aid to people experiencing homelessness during our regular hours. We are also working to be able to continue providing food, cell phone charging, and laptop and phone usage to people. Despite social distancing, we are hoping to continue to be a place where people feel a sense of connection and belonging even if that is from six feet away.

Here’s how you can help:

We need to immediately raise $25,000 for staff support and increased material aid. It’s our 75th anniversary and we were going to hold a Spring celebration. We are now canceling that fundraising celebration. We are instead asking that you give here.