NORTHAMPTON — The Friends of Hampshire County Homeless has received a $10,000 donation from Florence Bank which bolsters the nonprofit’s efforts to buy and fix a house for homeless youths in the city.
Rick Hart, president of Friends of the Hampshire County Homeless Individuals Inc., said the volunteer-based organization has raised about $535,000 of the $750,000 goal. The project would house approximately eight people, ages 18 to 24.
“It’s a very interesting group of people because a lot of them are aging out of foster care or they’ve lost their original family in some way,” Hart said Thursday. “The problem with homeless young people is they’re not in the shelters — a lot of them are couch-surfing or living in cars.”
Hart said the fundraising efforts took off this spring when the city contributed $275,000 to the project through the Community Preservation Committee.
This is the third time the organization has embarked on a project to buy and fix houses for local homeless people.
“We raise money and buy a facility, get it all furnished and fixed up and turn it over to an organization with staffing to do the actual casework,” Hart said.
In this case DIAL/SELF Youth and Community Services will take over management of the home, which will provide counseling, job training and other services to the homeless young people.
“With help they can get their act together,” said Hart. “What we want to do is divert them from long-term homelessness.”
Those wishing to help can sign up for Sunday’s paddle pledge on the Connecticut River, donate or volunteer — all of which can be accomplished via the nonprofit’s website at hamphomeless.org.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.