Video: The 'Homeless Epidemic' on 'Greater Somerville'

Somerville Homeless Coalition's Mark Alston-Follansbee talks homelessness in Somerville and programs that can help.

Mark Alston-Follansbee, from the Somerville Homeless Coalition, spoke with "Greater Somerville's" KyAnn Anderson on SCATV about the problem of homelessness in the city about various programs that can help. Here's a description of the episode from "Greater Somerville": Join host KyAnn Anderson as she speaks with the Somerville Homeless Coalition's Mark Alston-Follansbee about the homeless epidemic in Somerville, innovative emergency programs that are available for people and families in need, and why your help is so vital during these tough economic times. Tune in to this inspiring episode to find out how one local organization has been helping strengthen our community one bed at a time since 1985. Watch the episode above.

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AHM

12:33 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013

If there is one place in Somerville we should be helping, this is it. Money would be well spent here than on fancy brick sidewalks, bike tracks, paths and whatever. That $20000 raise for the mayor would have been better served here.   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Somerville Homeless Coalition Talks Stabilizing Lives Through Housing

Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director of the Somerville Homeless Coalition, describes how his organization works to provide temporary housing, services and stability to people in crisis.

  The following is a letter from Mark Alston-Follansbee, executive director of the Somerville Homeless Coalotion. He describes how the Somerville Homeless Coalition operates, and he invites Somerville landlords to learn more about the coalition's programs: The Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) started our first housing program, Prevention and Stabilization (PASS), in 2001 with funding provided by the City of Somerville.   The program offers Somerville residents who are in crisis with a rental subsidy for a limited time period to help them stabilize their lives.   Since 2001 the Coalition has also been awarded funds from the federal government to provide permanent housing for formerly homeless, disabled people.  We are now operating five …

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Announcement: Thalia Tringo Honored by Somerville Homeless Coalition

The Somerville real estate agent was recognized for her work in the community, according to an announcement on Somerville Patch.

Inspiring TV: Local Homeless Man Turning Life Around Through Marathon Training

Check out NECN's story about a homeless man who's getting his life back on track with help from the Somerville Homeless Coalition and marathon training.

With the Boston Marathon weeks away, NECN carried a great Somerville story about Wahid Chaudhary, a homeless man who's battled drug problems but is now getting his life in order by training for the Marathon. Chaudhary is undertaking his effort with help from the Somerville Homeless Coalition, and the TV segment included numerous shots of Chaudhary training in Davis Square. See the NECN segment here. Lots of Somerville residents are running the Marathon for good causes. Here are some. If you or someone you know is running the Marathon and raising money, leave a comment here.

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Photo of the Day

600 Pounds of Ham and Turkey

Last month, members of the Utility Workers of America, Local 369, joined with city officials to donate food to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

The following is from the city of Somerville: UTILITY WORKERS OF AMERICA DONATES 600+ POUNDS OF FOOD TO SOMERVILLE HOMELESS COALIATION FOR HOLIDAYS Mayor, Aldermen joined SHC in receipt of, thanks for turkeys to feed local families and individuals over the 2011 holiday season. SOMERVILLE – On December 19, 2011, officials from the Utility Workers of America, Local 369, invited Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward One Alderman William Roche and Alderman at Large Jack Connolly to join them as they delivered over 600 pounds of whole hams and turkeys to the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Project Soup.  “The type of holiday donation is the simplest and most direct help any organization can provide to those in need,” said Alderman Roche.  “It made a …

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5 Things to Know Today

Pickin' Pigs at Redbones, Greta Garbo Stars in a 1939 Classic

And singing and trivia.

Redbones 10th annual pig pickin' Tonight, Redbones is serving up pulled pork, corn on the cob, corn bead, coleslaw, watermelon and beverages, including beer. It's all to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition, and you get all that food for $25. There will also be live music. It's from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside Redbones, which is at 55 Chester St. in Davis Square. The rain date is Aug. 8. Ninotchka This summer's classic film series at Somerville Theatre continues with Greta Garbo in the 1939 film Ninotchka, a comedy. It's showing at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight. Somerville Sunsetters The summer of singing continues tonight when the Somerville Sunsetters perform at Little Sisters of the Poor, at 186 Highland Ave. The performance begins at 7 p…

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