United Way of Greater Plymouth County

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Letter to the editor: Night in Brockton reveals mentoring need
January 30, 2009

Grant to fund pilot program to better address homelessness
Feb 24, 2009

Letter to the Editor
February 27, 2009

Press Release: UNITED WAY DISTRIBUTES $900,000 TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S MOST URGENT NEEDS
June 4, 2009

Article: Brockton seeks $21 million more in federal money to clean up housing foreclosure 'mess'
(Brockton Enterprise - Jul 08, 2009)

Letter to the Editor
June 11, 2009

Letter to the Editor: Is help on the way?
December 4, 2008

United Way of Greater Plymouth County Announces Campaign Co-Chairs for its 87th Annual United Way Campaign

Press Release: United Way Actively Involved in City of Brockton's Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
(April 7, 2008)

Article: Homeless finding help, tally suggests
(Boston Globe - February 10, 2008)

Article: "To aid homeless, first count them"
(Boston Globe - January 27, 2008)

Article: "Helping Hands Drive Starts with $1,000 Donation"
(Brockton Enterprise - November 10, 2007)

Press Release: United Way Distributes 18,000 Drug Prescription Discount Cards November 9, 2007

Article: "Not So United Ways?"
(Boston Business Journal - September 28, 2007)

Press Release: Former Patriots' Steve Grogan Attends United Way 86th Annual Kick Off
(Boston Business Journal - September 28, 2007)

Press Release: United Way Distributes $1 Million!
(Boston Business Journal - September 28, 2007)

Press Release: United Way Supports Brockton Police Camera Surveillance Program
June 1, 2007

Letter to the Editor: UW Offers Thanks for Campaign Support
(Brockton Enterprise - March 30, 2007)

Article: "Close to Home"
(Old Colony Memorial - February 3, 2007)

Letter to the editor - February 27, 2009

The Enterprise
Posted Feb 27, 2009 @ 05:24 AM

BROCKTON - Carman deserves to be honored

I would like to enthusiastically commend the leaders of Father Bill's & Mainspring for their decision to honor Dennis Carman, a dedicated community leader who has spent his life "on the front lines" passionately advocating for the homeless.

Carman will receive "The Marie Sheehan Heart of the Homeless Award" at the organization's fundraiser "Dishin' It Up for the Homeless" on March 4 at the Shaw's Center in Brockton. Carman's resume of service to our more humble brothers and sisters is long and impressive: President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, former executive director of MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless (before the merger with Father Bill's Place in 2007), chair of the 10-Year Plan to End Family Homelessness in Greater Plymouth County, co-chair of the Plymouth County Housing Alliance, chair of the local Emergency Food and Shelter Program board, former board member of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, and past president and board member of the Community Services of Greater Brockton.

As I read this list, I am struck by the amount of personal time - family time - which Carman must have sacrificed to lead so many important efforts to help the most vulnerable members of our community. He truly lives a life for others and that is most deserving of our respect.

I am impressed by the decision of Father Bill's & Mainspring to honor Dennis Carman but I am not surprised. Father Bill's & Mainspring is an innovative, forward-thinking organization which is on the cutting-edge of homeless issues.

Led by President and CEO John Yazwinski, their staff works hard to find permanent solutions to homelessness, not just manage the short-term challenges. Their Housing First model has been recognized across the nation as a dignified, cost-effective solution to homelessness- providing homes for the homeless, not just a bed for the night.

As a sign of our admiration for Dennis Carman and our appreciation for Father Bill's & Mainspring, representatives from My Brother's Keeper will proudly be in attendance at "Dishin' It Up for the Homeless" on March 4. I encourage your readers to consider doing the same.

ERICH MILLER
Executive director
My Brother's Keeper
Easton