It’s “HAT,” but it’s about heat.
Boston – Six Boston-area nonprofits have received a combined gift of over $1.1 million dollars in brand new clothing through a partnership with Dignity U Wear a national non-profit.
St. Anthony Shrine; Ministry Center, St. Francis House, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, Women’s Lunch Place, Bakhita House and Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester each received brand new clothing in 2014 to support their missions to serve those in need throughout the Boston area.
Dignity U Wear is a national nonprofit headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the mission of Dignity U Wear to procure brand new clothing from over 200 apparel industry partners to include; manufacturers, retailers and distributors, and deliver it at the right time to the people for whom it will make the most difference.
“Nearly 80,000 units of clothing have been sent to the Boston area,” said Barbara Truncellito, executive Director for Dignity U Wear,” items including underwear, socks, school uniforms, sweaters, khaki pants, polo shirts, jeans, dresses and accessories. “So many people in our country are in need of such basic items as socks and underwear and we are here to help.” added Truncellito.
Dignity U Wear focuses on three initiatives to reach those in need: school clothing for children, veterans in transition and women and girls in crisis.
“We are truly grateful for their support”, commented Ed Kelley, CEO, Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, “Dignity U Wear aligns with our mission to ensure that all children can live as we would want our own children to live. Their approach and commitment to the most at-risk is exactly what our community needs – we are stronger together.”
RFK Children’s Action Corps serves children throughout Massachusetts. Through this partnership we are able to provide clothing to children in over a dozen communities including Western Mass and the Cape.
In collaboration with St. Anthony Shrine, St. Francis House is the largest distributor of clothing to the poor and homeless in the Greater Boston area, “we are grateful for the relationship with Dignity U Wear, together we are making a positive impact on men and women in need,” said Karen LaFrazia, Executive Director of St. Francis House.
“These new clothes will give many people the power to create change for themselves in order to find a brighter future,” said Fr. Tom Conway, OFM, Executive Director at St. Anthony Shrine and board member at St. Francis House.
Founded in 2000 by philanthropist and Holocaust survivor Henri Landwirth, Dignity U Wear is a nonprofit that receives in-kind and financial donations from corporate sponsors to provide brand new clothes to over 200 social service agencies across the country at no cost to the recipient. “I know what it means to be stripped of personal dignity,” Landwirth commented, “ I know what it is like not have clothes of one’s own and to give up all hope.” Through Dignity U Wear and partnerships with these Boston agencies, Dignity U Wear is helping those in need throughout the Boston community.
The mission of Dignity U Wear is to positively impact the lives of children and their families in need throughout the United States by providing them with brand new clothing. Dignity U Wear partners with the apparel industry to provide the supply of clothing and then works through a network of social service agencies to deliver the clothing based on specified needs. Founded by philanthropist and Holocaust survivor, Henri Landwirth in 2000, the organization has provided more than 9.3 million pieces, valued at $180 million, to more than 830,000 people.
St. Anthony Shrine & Ministry Center, the “Church on Arch Street,” has been a center for Roman Catholic ministry in Boston, MA for over 65 years. It is directed by Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province and has over 30 outreach and spiritual ministries.
Dear Friends of EPOCA,
We are proud to have just celebrated our 10th Anniversary. Thank you to the many people who came out for this great event and donated to our cause.
This past year, the Jobs NOT Jails Coalition grew to 136 participating organizations, we staged a big rally on Boston Common and wrapped 46,643 Jobs NOT Jails petition signatures around the State House.
In the new year, we will engage thousands of people in mass trainings and high-profile direct actions, to build upon the unstoppable wave of support we have garnered.
Together, we will guide the evolution of our society from one characterized by suffering and mass incarceration to one of freedom and self-sufficiency, where employment and a living wage is available for everyone.
Our allies in California have succeeded with Proposition 47, where many felonies have been dropped to misdemeanors, which will release thousands of people from prison. The resulting savings from reduced incarceration will be tracked and funneled into three important services: truancy prevention; victims’ services; and treatment for mental illness and addiction.
Right now, we are drafting radical new legislation to enact a series of criminal justice reforms and divert millions of dollars away from prisons into job training programs, social enterprise and co-op development.
Beyond changing laws, we seek a wholesale shift in consciousness: to end the dehumanization that underlies mass incarceration and economic exclusion. This is what the Jobs NOT Jails Movement is about.
The work ahead will be joyful, but it will require sacrifice as well. Last year, EPOCA members and staff spent over $20,000 on in-state travel. This year we expect to log even more miles, as we reach out to inspire action and train leaders across the state, from the Berkshires to Barnstable. Our staff and leaders will train with the experts at Movement Mastery and will pass these vital organizing skills along to you, our allies in this movement.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all of you who have donated to EPOCA and made it possible to come all this way in just ten years.
If you haven’t yet, we hope you will consider making a tax-deductible donation to EPOCA this year. Your gift will make all the difference, to keep us on the road and build further momentum across the state.
Delia Vega & Steve O’Neill, Co-directors
Checks can be sent to:
4 King Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Join us at our next Jobs NOT Jails Community Meeting on January 31, 2014. Details to be announced….
EPOCA’s office will be closed for the holidays!
We will be closed from Monday, December 22nd until Monday, January 5th.
Happy New Year!
A few months ago my neighbor gave me this blouse and other goodies. What I didn’t use I donated to non-profits, with one very nice pair of shoes (new) going to Abby’s. … All your donations are tax-deductible. – R. Tirella
… then shop where our Parlee Jones works – ABBY’S HOUSE!
52 High St., Worcester
Parlee runs their homeless shelter; she places women, often fleeing domestic violence, in safe spaces.
By shopping at Abby’s House THRIFT SHOP (52 High St., across the street from St. Paul’s Cathedral) you support the shelter and the homeless women for whom it spells HOME.
Lots of greats buys! Lots of items Diamonds in the Rough! Don’t forget! The money you spend at the shop goes towards supporting Worcester’s iconic women’s shelter.
Learn more (from their website):
Abby’s House Thrift Shop
The Abby’s House Thrift Shop continues to be our largest single source of revenue.
All of the profits from sales at the Thrift Shop fund our emergency shelter.
The Thrift Shop is full of quality clothing, accessories, home goods, and bargain-priced cosmetics.
We encourage you to visit the store today, not only to donate clothing and homegoods, but to add some great pieces to your wardrobe!
Monday through Thursday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Fridays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Thrift Shop is closed on holidays. When Worcester Public Schools declares a snow day, the Thrift Shop will be closed.
In case of bad weather, please call ahead to make sure we’re open: (508) 756-5486 extension 12.
Donations are accepted during regular shop hours. We are happy to accept gently used, seasonal women’s clothing in good condition and household items of all kinds including kitchenware, lamps and decorative items. New, unopened health and beauty products are also welcome.
At times we are in need of furniture in good condition that may be used to set up an apartment, such as small kitchen sets or desk sets. If you would like to make a furniture donation, please call ahead.
We do NOT accept books, computers, TVs, furniture, records, record players, hangers, used pillows, men’s clothing or used children’s clothing and toys.
Please note that due to the new laws regarding child safety we can only accept children’s clothing or toys if they are NEW, in package or tagged.
CLICK HERE to visit the Abby’s House website to learn more!
… yet they receive non-profit sponsorship $$$ from Harvard Pilgrim health. WTF?!
LEARN how to counter CLASSISM at FARMERS MARKETS when REC makes a presentation at …
… the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass) 28th Annual Winter Conference, Saturday, January 10.
At Worcester State University, Chandler Street.
Featuring 70 workshops, exhibits, an all-day seminar and keynote by Greg Judy, rotational grazier and carbon sequestration advocate.
The conference draws about 1,000 participants from Massachusetts and neighboring states, including seasoned and beginning farmers, urban homesteaders, backyard gardeners, food activists, and others.
2015 workshop topics include crop production, farm management, health, homesteading, livestock, beekeeping, policy, skill building, infrastructure, soil, urban/backyard gardening and organic land care.
The conference will be followed by a post-conference dinner with Greg Judy.
GENTRIFICATION IN THE FOOD SYSTEM:
Members of [Worcester REC’s] YouthGROW will be presenting a workshop entitled Gentrification in the Food System.
The workshop will focus on:
the rapid growth of the food justice movement and “foodie” culture that has often excluded communities of color, youth and the poor
.. and the many ways we can work to reverse this trend.
Ralph Weah, Assistant Farm Manager, and Chad McClain, Assistant Youth Coordinator will share stories and strategies for dismantling racism and creating inclusive spaces.
We’d love to see you at our workshop:
1:30 p.m – 3 p.m. – Saturday, January 10, at Worcester State University!
For more information, please visit nofamass.org/winterconference
Not this wild, edible tree made by Chef Joey!
But a real one!
CLICK HERE to learn more!