Jennifer Santos 17.SEP.09

hopeFound, the Jamaica Plain based non-profit organization aimed at preventing and ending homelessness and addiction among men and women, recently received a $25,000 donation from Wal-Mart. The money will be used towards hopeFound’s latest program, WorkFirst, which launched this month. 

For over 25 years, hopeFound has helped some of the most chronically homeless men and women in the Boston community find affordable housing. At the same time, the organization has helped to assist with food, clothing, medical care, mental treatment, legal assistance and addiction referrals.

The WorkFirst program is another addition of services to help those who are homeless put their life back on track and re-enter the workforce. At Impact Employment Services, located in Downtown Crossing and in Quincy, individuals may receive employment services such as counseling, placement and job retention.

"Once someone has a roof over their head, the goal is to get them to live independently," Mary Nee said, Executive director for hopeFound. "An income for us, we believe is critical to self-sufficiency."

According to Nee, hopeFound typically helps individuals find employment within 60 days of moving into a home, after the client has stabilized. Now, Nee said the organization has realized that finding employment is a significant piece to recovery and self-sustainability.

Finding employment helps individuals overcome feelings of isolation and helps to improve communication skills with other people, Nee said.

"When you feel productive you feel good about your life," Nee said. "In order to help people feel well, they should get to employment real soon because employment helps people to think about their next step in life."

Chris Buchanan, senior manager of public affairs and government relations for Wal-Mart, said that the Wal-Mart Foundation seeks to support organizations that align with the company’s mission to create opportunities for people to live better. The State Giving Program awards grants to organizations that have a long lasting and positive impact.

"We review different proposals that groups and organizations put forth seeking funding and hopeFound definitely stood out as they are doing great work," Buchanan said. "The way the economy is, it’s nice to be in a position like Wal-Mart, where we can give back to various groups and organizations, not just in Boston but across the state."

- The Bulletin Newspapers