The non-profit organization provides safe, temporary shelter and housing to homeless and at-risk families

Housing Families Inc (HFI), a Malden-based non-profit organization with a mission of ending family homelessness, successfully previewed its annual backpack drive initiative as the featured agency at Building Impact’s NonGala Event that took place on May 11, 2017. Active in the area for 30 years, HFI has established several initiatives to combat homelessness and disenfranchisement by providing temporary shelter and affordable housing options to over 3,000 homeless and at-risk families in the greater Boston area.

The NonGala is held annually by Building Impact, a non-profit organization Boston-based dedicated to strengthening communities and connecting companies and individuals with volunteer and donation opportunities. The NonGala recognized social responsibility through participant awards, while also raising money for volunteer programming.

“Homelessness is a problem affecting so many in our communities, especially children. Participating in Building Impact’s NonGala was a wonderful opportunity that allowed us to help spread the word about our initiatives and continue to effectively support these families through our volunteers and donors,” said Ed Cameron, CEO of Housing Families.

During the Building Impact NonGala, HFI previewed the organization’s annual backpack drive to support children within the greater Boston area who are impacted by homelessness. NonGala attendees were eager to learn about ways they can help support children get one step closer to realizing their full academic potential.

Through the generosity of the community, HFI will provide backpacks filled with school supplies to help homeless and very low income elementary, middle and high school students succeed in school. Highly requested items include notebooks, folders, magic markers, backpacks, #2 pencils and ball point pens. Participants and community partners are encouraged to donate school supplies and new backpacks from now through August 4 to HFI, located at 919 Eastern Ave. in Malden.

HFI also displayed a photo exhibit, during Building Impact’s NonGala, depicting individual stories from families affected by homelessness and serviced by HFI programs. HFI offers many volunteer opportunities through several different initiatives, including working with homeless or at-risk children, maintaining properties provided to low-income or homeless families, and fundraising drives.

For more information about Building Impact’s NonGala, visit: http://buildingimpact.org/nongala/

To learn more about Housing Families and its backpack drive, visit www.housingfamilies.org

About Housing Families: Celebrating over 30 years of service, Housing Families was founded in 1986 by community members concerned about the growing crisis of homelessness among families in Greater Boston. Since then, Housing Families has grown into one of the largest providers of family shelter in Massachusetts and has served over 3,000 families.

Housing Families’ central mission is to help families build the skills and understanding they need to make a successful transition into their own home, and to prevent any recurrence of homelessness. To learn more about Housing Families visit www.housingfamilies.org