Somerville Homeless Coaltion (Team Somerville)
Updated: September 21, 2011
Facility Information
In 1985 the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) was created by the local community’s grassroots response to the social crisis of homelessness. Neighbors, community activists, university students, faith-based leaders, business supporters and city officials united to address the escalating problem of homelessness within Somerville. These collaborative efforts resulted in the opening of the city’s first emergency shelter and the establishment of SHC.
Today, SHC transforms lives by providing services, support, resources and housing to well over 600 men, women, and children.
SHC’s emergency response programs include an Adult Shelter, Family Shelter, Food Program & one-on-one Case Management Services. SHC is also an innovator in the realm of “Housing First”. These housing programs involve Homeless Prevention and providing Affordable Housing with home-based Supportive Services to the most at-risk homeless individuals and families in our community.
Team Information
Meeting Location: Davis Square in front of the JP Licks.
Meeting Time and Days: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays at 5:45 AM.
Mileage: Various distances from 1 to 5 miles. Varying paces from walking on up.
Team Leader
The Team Somerville Team Leader is Sara Raiken. Sara is an experienced and founding Back on My Feet core team member.
Member of the Month
Brian Doucette is currently a member of the Somerville Homeless Coalition, and has greeted the team with a smile every morning since February.
In the years before he joined Back on My Feet, Brian had been a runner and owner of a successful catering business. After losing his business when the economy soured, he turned to alcohol and eventually ended up without a place to live. He is now 14 months sober, and credits Back on My Feet for putting him in a much better head space.
“As long as you have hope and faith and are willing to reach out to those programs like Back on My Feet and the Somerville Homeless Coalition, you can turn your life right back around,” says Brian. “I could go on all day about how much this means to me.”
Most people can find something to complain about at 5:45 in the morning. Brian, however, is not one of those people. And this summer, his positive attitude and encouraging words for his teammats haven’t been the only thing Brian has brought to his runs. Whenever he can, he likes to surprise his fellow team mates with small treats to celebrate special days such as holidays and birthday.
This positive attitude, combined with his dedication to his fellow running group members and humorous antics, make daybreak runs well worth getting up for. Brian recently participated in the legendary Falmouth Road Race and plans to run the Bay State Half Marathon with his teammates in October.
Outside of running, Brian has demonstrated a great commitment to his job, and recently moved into a new apartment. Congratulations, Brian!
Don't forget, you can catch all the Boston Members of the Month on the Back on My Feet blog!
