LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS. City Hall was the site of last week's unveiling of Partnership for Change: Action Plan to End Homelessness in 10 Years for Massachusetts' "Mill City." Mayor Edward "Bud" Caulfield and City Manager Bernard F. Lynch welcomed United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano for the event. Pictured here is City Manager Lynch speaking at the press event in City Hall, with Mayor Caulfield and Director Mangano at left.

"With this blueprint for change, you are adding creative thinking to your community's response, linked to your State Plan," indicated Director Mangano. "Thinking that is informed by data, and research, and field tested innovations proven elsewhere. Innovative initiatives that are cost effective, results oriented, and consumer preferred."

In his introduction to the Plan, Mayor Caulfield stated: "The Partnership for Change: Action Plan to End Homelessness is an ambitious undertaking that presents our community with an opportunity to move away from the current, high cost ineffective system of homeless shelters to the new - more cost effective - Housing First models of permanent supportive housing. It recommends new strategies to consider for preventing homelessness and getting those hardest to employ back to work. "

Committee members were also each presented with a compass to indicate they were moving in the right direction and that they needed to stay on course. Prior to the press event, Director Mangano met with the Implementation Plan Executive Committee, local government, educational and community leaders. The Executive Committee is charged with developing the implementation plan. Director Mangano is pictured here with Mayor Caulfield at left and City Manager Lynch at right during the compass presentation.

The Lowell Plan focused on several key strategies: prevent homelessness; end individual and street homelessness; rapidly re-house families who become homeless and minimize the impact of homeless on children; identify at-risk youth and end youth homelessness; ensure that seniors can age in the community in peace and safety; move beyond shelter to housing; develop employment and educational assets; and administer and oversee the Action Plan, measure progress and evaluate success

In addition, the Plan embraces Housing First/Rapid Re-housing, calls for local cost-benefit analysis study, prioritizes prevention and intervention, has specific strategies to prevent and end homelessness among veterans, adopts the Four Tier Model for reducing homelessness identified in the Massachus etts Homeless Commission Report for both individuals and families, and commits to an annual Project Homeless Connect event.

LOWELL SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS "HOME."
Following the press event, Director Mangano joined the Mayor and City Manager, as well as E. N. Rogers Middle School Principal Timothy McGillicuddy, for the Partnership for Change Essay Contest Awards Ceremony. The Essay Contest is one of the first initiatives of the Action Plan. The goal is to engage students in the discussion of the main principle of the plan, the importance of "home", why a home is so important, and what it would be like not to have a home - to be homeless. Pictured here are the students who competed.

Essays were judged on how they expressed the principle theme of the 10 Year Plan, that is, that there is nothing more important than having a home - the importance of each student's home to them. Contest prizes included a Certificate of Participation for each student who submitted an essay, signed by Lowell City Manager Bernard F. Lynch; a $10.00 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate for one essay from each class; four Grand Prizes of a $100 Savings Bond for one student from each grade citywide who was also given the honor of reading their winning essay at a future Lowell City Council or School Committee Meeting.

Essay contest judges were from City of Lowell, Lowell Public Schools, Lowell School Committee, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, Enterprise Bank, Community Teamwork, Inc., Barnes & Noble, Washington Savings Bank, Coalition for a Better Acre, Cisco Systems, The Wish Project, St. Anne's Episcopal Church/LTLC, House of Hope, Inc., Lowell Transitional Living Center, Bridgewell/Pathfinder Safe- Haven, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Dynamics Research Corporation, and Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership. Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien took part in the visit and events.

Read about 10-Year Plans . . .

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. Springfield's Project Homeless Connect one-day results: 19 people housed, 18 employers on site taking more than 220 job applications, 115 applications filed for Medicaid, Social Security, TANF, and Food Stamps, and over 165 Massachusetts IDs issued. In addition, warrants were cleared, skin cancer tests administered, eyeglasses distributed, and phone calls made.

"That's the idea behind Project Homeless Connect: combine resources for which most homeless people would have to travel to three or four (or five or ten) different buildings located across the city." So opined Springfield's The Republican on the city's successful Project Homeless Connect event at the Mass Mutual Center last week.

Co-chairs Pastor Greg Dyson and Doreen Fadus of Mercy Medical Center/Health Care for the Homeless, Geraldine McCafferty Deputy Director, Homeless and Special Needs Housing and 10 Year Plan point person, along with more than 350 community volunteers, welcomed over 600 neighbors to the city's event. Springfield, Massachusetts, which recently posted a 39% decrease in chronic homelessness, sees the national innovation of Project Homeless Connect as a highly successful community engagement tool as the City implements its 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano (pictured here, center) joined community partners for the 'welcome' to homeless neighbors, with (left to right): Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins, Peter Pan Bus Vice President and 10 Year Plan Implementation Chair, Community Champion and Home for Every American Awardee Robert Schwarz, Mercy Medical Center Community Health Director and Connect Co-chair Doreen Fadus, Springfield's 10 Year Plan point person Gerry McCafferty, Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno, and MA Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing Executive Director Robert Pulster. Ms. McCafferty was honored last month by the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance with its "Cornerstone Award" for her leadership.

According to Pastor Dyson, who chaired the city's inaugural event in 2007, Springfield used the "lessons learned" from the first PHC to insure the 2008 PHC has real time results in the lives of homeless people in Springfield. Pastor Dyson was featured at the Council's Third Annual National Summit for Jurisdictional Leaders in Washington during the "Innovators' Symposium," for his Project Homeless Connect leadership.

A further innovation that Springfield has pursued involves the identification of individuals whose expertise is in identifying and solving complex problems. The PHC planning committee sought to deploy business and other volunteers with this background to resolve within 30 minutes the most complex individual problems individuals or families present. The ID and DMV station is shown here.

Community partners included Nehemiah Ministries, Inc., Peter Pan Bus Lines, Health New England, Williams Distributing, Springfield Health & Human Services, Springfield Office of Housing, Davis Foundation, Mental Health Association, United Way of Pioneer Valley, HAP, Inc., Mercy Hospital, Catholic Charities, St. Andrews, Hampden County Sheriff, Northwest Mutual, Soldier On, Regional Employment Board, Branford Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, and Springfield Veterans Department. The "eyemobile" is shown here.

Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien took part in the visit and events.

Read the Plan . . .

NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT. La Quinta Inn & Suites was the site of this week's first Project Homeless Connect in New Britain, Connecticut, where Mayor Tim Stewart, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, and over 100 community volunteers welcomed over 175 homeless neighbors at the hotel. The Project Homeless Connect event is an action step in the city's employment-focused 10 Year Plan. Director Mangano is pictured here speaking at the welcome event.

"With the attention New Britain has paid to employment, it's the only plan in the country whose employment plan is equal to housing," indicated Director Mangano. The City has created an "Employer to Employer Network" that is committed to creating 50 jobs for homeless people.

Project Homeless Connect guests used two function rooms at the hotel, with one reserved for food and entertainment, and a second concentrating available resources. The event, which was organized by the Prevention Committee of the Mayor's Task Force to End Homelessness, also included 30 resource vendors on site. The state Department of Labor's Career Bus provided Internet access on seven computers for job hunting. The bus is a traveling employment office. A "Dress for Success" site provided free work clothing donated by local business people. Very popular was a dental cleaning station.

Mayor Stewart has also reached out to colleagues in the business community and asked them to hire homeless people. Rachel Davis of the Friendship Center homeless center reported that 21 homeless people are now working as a direct result of the Mayor's initiative.

Specific employment strategies in the Plan call for New Britain to: 1) create employer-to-employer outreach network to increase participation and job opportunities, 2) expand awareness and linkages with the CT Works One Stop Center in New Britain, 3) support bridging programs that get very low-wage and unemployed people into skills training, increasing employment opportunities for homeless and at-risk of homeless populations, 4) establish an employer- driven entry level and career ladder workgroup that oversees the integration of existing training services, 5) create a targeted strategy to identify Sector Career Ladders in High Growth Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Allied Health, Retail/Hospitality and Business/Finance, 6) establish/enhance support services for child-care, basic skills literacy, and transportation to homeless population, 7) assess and meet non-traditional child care needs for sick children and evening daycare, and 8) develop a Coordinated Transportation Plan for low- wage workers.

Prior to the Project Homeless Connect event, Director Mangano met with Mayor Stewart and community and business leaders to discuss the Mayor's 10 Year Plan initiatives and implementation progress, including the work of the business community in creating a jobs program. Also discussed were national innovations and results from other jurisdictions, including those that will be shared at the upcoming U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Miami, which Mayor Stewart will participate in.

Pictured here at the meeting are (left to right): Ellen Simpson, Executive Director, The Friendship Service Center; Mike Tomasso, Tomasso Companies and the "Employer to Employer Network"; 10 Year Plan Implementation Chair Greg Howey, President ,Okay Industries; Dave Davison, President and COO, American Savings Foundation; Mayor Stewart; and Director Mangano. Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien took part in the visit and events.

Read about 10-Year Plans . . .

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA. The RiverCentre was the site of St. Paul's third Project Homeless Connect this week, as Mayor Chris Coleman and United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano welcomed homeless neighbors in the state's capital and second largest city. Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Tim Marx also took part. Jim Anderson is Chair of the Connect event, and Carol Zierman, new director of Heading Home Ramsey and St. Paul "Downtown Beat" Police Sgt. Paul Paulos also participated, along with over 100 volunteers from Target and 3M. Sgt. Paulos, Mayor Coleman, and Director Mangano are pictured here at the event.

Prior to the event, Mayor Coleman and Director Mangano addressed assembled volunteers. Director Mangano applauded their commitment and partnership in a "conspiracy for good" through Project Homeless Connect one-stops in more than 170 cities of all sizes across the country and around the world.

Noted event organizers: "Offering shelter alone does not end homelessness. Connecting individuals with services that provide them with support and opportunities, can. This event is a powerful tool to get individuals and families directly connected to services by coming together in one building that is easily accessible to all." Mayor Coleman and Director Mangano are pictured here greeting arriving guests.

Heading Home Minnesota is the statewide umbrella strategy announced last year that includes Minnesota's Business Plan to End Long- Term Homelessness and regional/local "Heading Home" Initiatives. These initiatives represent the long- term strategy of partnerships with support of the public, business, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and the faith community. The Project Homeless Connect one-stop housing engagement station is pictured here.

Sgt. Paulos is a leader in the police- homeless outreach partnership innovation profiled recently in 20 in 20 A Month of Innovations, in which St Paul/Ramsey County partners create tenancies for men and women experiencing chronic homelessness who have been living on downtown streets, in encampments, and in abandoned buildings. Pilot funding came from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, in collaboration with Ending Long-Term Homelessness Advisory Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Economic Opportunity, which has extended its investment through 2009. The DMV and ID station is pictured here.

Prior to walking over to the Project Homeless Connect event from City Hall, Director Mangano and Mayor Coleman met to discuss progress on the St. Paul/Ramsey County 10 Year Plan, including the recent hiring of Carol Zierman as director of Heading Home Ramsey. The officials also discussed the upcoming GOP convention in the Twin Cities, and the opportunity to focus on solutions and results with visiting delegates and officials.

Director Mangano also met with Minnesota Housing Finance Commissioner Tim Marx, who attended the Project Homeless Connect event, with a focus on the state's continuing commitment to its Business Plan to End Long Term Homelessness. $77 million in bond financing was originally forecast for the plan, with $47 million provided initially, and more recently, with the remaining $30 million identified.

Following the St. Paul Project Homeless Connect event, Director Mangano moved across the Twin Cities to meet with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, and 10 Year Plan leader Cathy ten Broeke. Officials focused on Minneapolis' progress in meeting its 10 Year Plan benchmarks, and preparations for the upcoming convention and the convening of activities emphasizing to solutions to homelessness similar to those being planned in Denver for convention visitors.

Council Regional Coordinator John O'Brien took part in the visit and events.

Read the Minnestoa State Business Plan . . .

WASHINGTON, DC. New U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston was sworn in last week during ceremonies at the Department headquarters, with President Bush, Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, and former HUD Secretaries present. Secretary Preston is pictured here.

The President noted in his remarks about the new Secretary: "His impressive career has taken him from investment banking to senior financial posts at major corporations."

Secretary Preston, formerly Administrator of the Small Business Administration and experienced in the private sector, noted that Robert C. Weaver, the first HUD Secretary for whom the headquarters building in named, had cautioned HUD staff "to look behind the data, to see the values and the concerns and the hopes and the lives of the families we serve."

Stated the Secretary: "I look forward to working with you and our partners in the Administration. And I am committed to collaborating in a bipartisan fashion with Congress on the path ahead."

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano, who met with the new Secretary as he was being nominated, noted: "We welcome Secretary Preston as a new member of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and as a partner in our national initiative to end chronic homelessness."

"His experience in the private and public sectors positions him to contribute to both HUD and the Interagency Council through a focus on investments that anticipate accountability and results," indicated Director Mangano. The Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development is one of four Secretaries among member agencies of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness who rotate as Council Chair on an annual basis.

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. The largest housing bond bill in Massachusetts history includes $120 million to support housing needs for people with disabilities and clients of the Departments of Mental Retardation Mental Health, and $75 million for housing for people who are homeless, seniors, veterans, and those with substance abuse issues. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (pictured here) joined key legislative and community leaders to sign the bill last week.

"This bond bill was an important and collaborative effort with the state Legislature to devise a comprehensive plan to provide affordable housing in Massachusetts," noted Governor Patrick. "There are steps we need to take to keep our state a great place to live and work."

Governor Patrick, joined by Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Dan O'Connell, Undersecretary of the Department of Housing and Community Development Tina Brooks, and Senior Director of Legislative and Community Affairs Charlotte Golar Richie, also underscored the important role of legislative partners in securing the final bond outcome, noting House Speaker Sal DiMasi, Senate President Therese Murray, Joint Committee on Housing Chair Kevin Honan, and Senate Housing Committee Chair Susan Tucker, who was represented at the event by Senator Steve Tolman. Boston Mayor Tom Menino also participated.

Included in the new bond bill are:

• $120 million for programs targeted to meet housing needs for people with disabilities and clients of the Departments of Mental Retardation and Mental Health
• $75 million for the Housing Innovations Fund which supports the production of alternative forms of rental housing, including single person occupancy units, transitional and permanent housing for people who are homeless, battered women's shelters, supportive housing for seniors and veterans, and housing for substance abuse recovery
• $220 million for the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund established for the creation and preservation of housing projects throughout the Commonwealth for households whose incomes are not more than 110% of median income
• $125 million for the Housing Stabilization Fund which supports the acquisition, preservation and rehabilitation of housing, including foreclosed and distressed properties.
• $500 million for upgrading state-supported public housing developments
• $55 million for Community Development Action Grants, a municipal grant program that provides funding for publicly owned or managed projects
• $10 million annually for the Massachusetts low income housing tax credit program which awards credits to investors in multi-family rental projects that meet strict affordability requirements

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration last week honored screenwriters, producers, and advocates for their contributions in promoting understanding and support for individuals with mental health issues through their depiction of "dignified, respectful, and accurate portrayals" of individuals with mental health problems into film and television productions.

"The Voice Awards honors television and film writers and producers who have created realistic characterizations of people living with mental illnesses," said Terry Cline, Ph.D., SAMHSA administrator. "We are also recognizing people with mental health problems who have demonstrated that recovery is real and possible, and who promote understanding and support for others with mental illnesses."

Voice Awards were presented in ceremonies at Paramount Theater at Paramount Studios entertainment industry, consumer movement, and advocacy community for a night that celebrates increased awareness of mental health issues and recovery. The event was hosted by hosted by award- winning actor and mental health advocate Joe Pantoliano and Hairspray film star Nikki Blonsky. The Voice Awards also recognizes advocates who work to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses.

Winners in the television category were episodes from: "The Sopranos" (HBO) for the episode "The Second Coming" addressing suicide and depression; "Dirt" (FX) addressing schizophrenia; "Monk"(USA) addressing obsessive compulsive disorder; "House" (FOX) addressing suicide; "Friday Night Lights" (NBC) addressing bipolar disorder; "Huff" (Showtime) addressing schizophrenia; "Crossing Jordan" (NBC) addressing schizophrenia; and "General Hospital" (ABC) addressing bipolar disorder.

Canvas, Reign Over Me, and Home of the Brave received awards in the film category. Based on writer- director Joe Greco used his own experiences growing up with a mother with schizophrenia in Canvas to tell the story of a family dealing with the challenges of a loved one's mental illness. Reign Over Me, starring Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle, depicts a renewed relationship between college roommates after one experiences PTSD when he loses his family on September 11. Home of the Brave also focuses on PTSD and presented what happens when four American soldiers return home from Iraq to deal in civilian life with the memories of war.

Documentary winners included Cracking Up, Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, Through My Eyes, and the MTV documentary series "True Life," for its "True Life: I Have Autism" and "True Life: I Have Tourette's Syndrome" episodes.

Cracking Up depicts a year in the life of 12 individuals who use laughter as therapy and face their mental illnesses through the use of stand-up comedy. For his film, British actor and comedian Stephen Fry interviewed celebrities including Robbie Williams, Carrie Fisher, Richard Dreyfuss, and others about the impact of bipolar disorder and how they have recovered. In Through My Eyes, Emmy-winning producer Linda Midgett educates teens about mental health issues by filming the moving testimonies of their peers who have mental health challenges. In MTV's "True Life" episodes, young people share how they deal with their disorders in their own words and illustrate that they are still able to live life to the fullest.

The 2008 Voice Awards is supported by the Ad Council, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, American Psychiatric Foundation, American Psychological Association, The California Endowment, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, everyminute.org, Mental Health America, Mental Health Media Partnership, NARSAD, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, No Kidding, Me Too!, RTI International, and the Writers Guild of America West.

Community Champions for 10 Year Plans have emerged in city after city to demonstrate the new value of business leadership in developing and implementing 10 Year Plans. The Council has encouraged Mayors to select a Community Champion who will bring to homelessness the experience and expertise from their role in the business community.

William "Bill" Greehey in San Antonio, Texas is Community Champion for the new progress being seen in that city, chairing the new Haven for Hope being created in that city. Mr. Greehey is Chairman of the Board of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC, one of the largest terminal and petroleum liquid pipeline operators in the nation. He helped NuStar grow from 160 employees in 2001 to 1,300 today; from less than $400 million in assets to more than $3.5 billion.

"There's no question that Bill has generated a renewed sense of hope in San Antonio and has fostered a city-wide level of visibility for the issue of homelessness unprecedented in his city's history," indicated United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Executive Director Philip Mangano. "He understands that the intent of Haven for Hope is to create a trajectory out of the long misery of homelessness."

"Bill has created an award-winning corporate culture at NuStar, and it's obvious that that culture has extended to a wider circle of partners," Director Mangano continued. "Through the Haven for Hope, he is extending that culture of welcome and hospitality now to his poorest neighbors here in San Antonio." Director Mangano and Mr. Greehey are pictured here.

Previously Mr. Greehey was Chair and CEO of Valero Energy, which grew from a regional natural gas pipeline company to become the largest refining company in North America. Under his direction, Valero was consistently ranked one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune magazine, rising to No. 3 in 2006. Forbes recognized Valero on its 2005 listings of "Best-Managed Companies in America" and "Fastest-Growing Big Companies," while Fortune named Valero one of America's "Most Admired Companies." For its commitment to community service, Valero received the "Spirit of America" award, United Way's highest corporate honor, in 1992 and 2003, making it one of only two companies to have received the honor twice. It was also one of nine U.S. companies to receive the 1999 "Award for Excellence in Corporate Community Service" from the Points of Light Foundation; and it was ranked No. 15 out of the Fortune 500 in terms of corporate philanthropy by the Council on Economic Priorities and Worth magazine.

Mr. Greehey established The Greehey Family Foundation in 2004, which has supported the University of Texas Health Science Center to fund research and treatment for children's cancer, and St. Mary's University. He has served on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's University in San Antonio, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1986, granted him an honorary doctorate of philosophy in 1998, and named its business school in his honor in 2005. He also gave a $25 million gift to the business school to expand the university's recruitment of top business students and attract internationally known business professors, and to promote business ethics and community service among future business leaders. It is the largest single gift in the university's 155-year history. In 2002, Mr. Greehey was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, which honors members of the state's business community whose visions and careers have helped to place Texas at the forefront of the 21st century economy. In 2000, he was selected as one of 10 American leaders to receive the prestigious Horatio Alger Award, which recognizes individuals who have climbed from humble beginnings to personal and professional success.

Noted Director Mangano: "Bill is the Community Champion of homelessness here in San Antonio. And what a great story. From watching a documentary on homelessness on television to creating a new model of response in his city. Bill reminds us that when we consider volunteerism, we should bring our expertise and experience to that issue, not park it at the door. The new volunteers on homelessness are putting their everyday skills to work for the poorest. Thank you, Bill, for modeling that new volunteerism for our nation."

USICH Mission	USICH Council Members
National Project Homeless Connect	Good . . .to Better . . . to Great: Innovations in 10-Year Plans
Jurisdictional Partnerships in States and Cities	Innovative Initiatives