| Featured Nonprofit |
Preserving a stable family environment is directly relative to maintaining a permanent residence. Many homeless and/or low income families can conceivably afford monthly rent; however it is often a struggle to afford the initial security deposit and first/last month's rent which is due at the start of a lease. The Metrowest Outreach Connection's Homeless Prevention Program is committed to helping local families pay the initial fees necessary when signing a lease for an apartment or a house. The Homeless Prevention Program gives families the impetus needed to maintain a permanent residence and sets the foundation for a future of stability. The Metrowest Outreach Connection (MWOC) is an all volunteer non-profit organization based in Framingham . MWOC has served families in Framingham , Natick , Holliston, Ashland , Milford , Acton , Lincoln , Wellesley , Brockton , Worcester , Marlboro, Wayland, Needham , Dedham , Millis, Hudson , Stow , Medfield, and Franklin . The Crossroads Community Foundation Youth in Philanthropy program granted $5,000 in the spring of 2007 to the Homeless Prevention Program. This group believed a permanent home is crucial in supporting a healthy family. Through the donations of individuals and foundations such as the Crossroads Community Foundation, the Metrowest Outreach Connection's Homeless Prevention Program will continue to help families build foundations of permanence and stability while promoting hope and optimism. Metrowest Outreach Connection, Inc. |
 Autism Alliance of Metrowest Just 10 years ago, it was estimated that one in every 10,000 children would be diagnosed with some form of autism. Today that same estimate is one in every 166 children. Families living with autism face monumental challenges and need to structure daily activities with extra care and concern. Since 1998, the Autism Alliance of Metrowest has been working tirelessly to provide families living with autism information, education and much needed support and programs to enhance their ability to work effectively with their autistic child(ren) and the myriad systems that serve them. Through its services and programs, such as the One on One-Jump Start program and The Family Voice newsletter, the Autism Alliance currently serves over 300 families in the14 Metrowest communities of Framingham, Natick, Holliston, Westborough, Sudbury, Hopkinton, Northborough, Ashland, Southborough, Hudson, Wayland, Sherborn, Marlborough and Weston. In order to fulfill its mission of public education and direct family support, the Alliance applied for and received a $5,000 grant from Crossroads Community Foundation in 2005. With the grant award, it launched two initiatives to create a database of community volunteers and a revolving internship program. The Alliance now has a database of 36 volunteers as well as 12 high school students who are willing to volunteer to meet their community service requirements for graduation. In addition, the Alliance is working with The Volunteer Family, a Crossroads Community Foundation partner, to establish a networking juncture among families and create volunteer opportunities. These initiatives have allowed Autism Alliance of Metrowest to add new programs and services for families living with the challenges of autism and make wonderful connections with the local community. |
