Future Goals
1. To ensure children in our shelters have opportunities to thrive and not just survive;
2. To lead creative approaches with our community partners to assist people before they face a housing crisis in conjunction with our Community Partners and Foundations;
3. To be the driving force behind ensuring everyone has a safe, stable and healthy home;
4. To work with cities and towns across Worcester County to support them so that they can combat homelessness within their communities;
5. To work with our partners so our seniors do not become homeless, especially as they represent an increasing demographic at risk of homelessness;
6. To develop a site (Day Resource Center), in partnership with the City of Worcester, filling a notably missing piece of service provision for homeless individuals.
Fundraising Opportunities
August 1 – 15, 2025: Back-to-School Drive for the approximately 600 children we serve (back-pack drive, school supply drive)
November 10 – December 12, 2025: Our Holiday Gifts Campaign for the approximately 600 children we serve (wish lists to fill, toy drives, etc.)
May 17, 2026: Our Annual WALK for the Homeless benefits the programs of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, providing direct assistance to Worcester County’s most impoverished residents, preventing homelessness and providing direct services to those experiencing homelessness.
Giving Opportunities
Capital Campaign for the Day Resource Center, in partnership with the City of Worcester, opening in September of 2026. Please contact Christina at cjagolinzer@cmhaonline.org
Online donations are gratefully accepted throughout the year through our online giving portal at www.cmhaonline.org.
Donations Clearinghouse, our furniture donation program, accepts gently used furniture for families who are moving from shelters to permanent housing. You may contact Nicole at nquidon@cmhaonline.org.
In August we collect Back-to-School supplies for the children we serve. You may contact Michael at
mmaher@cmhaonline.org.
In November, we host our Holiday Gifts Campaign for the children we serve. You may contact Michael at mmaher@cmhaonline.org.
On May 17, 2026, we will host our 41st Annual WALK for the Homeless. You may contact Michael at mmaher@cmhaonline.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
Central Mass Housing Alliance has volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Our largest opportunities are our annual WALK for the Homeless, Days of Action to spruce up our shelters, and organizing our Donations Clearinghouse Center. We also partner with volunteers to create housewarming baskets for our families and young adults moving into permanent housing and putting together our backpacks and Wishlist donations.
Leadership
Leah Bradley, CEO
Sam Bitar, Board President
Sharon Krefetz, Vice President
Jennifer Nickerson, Treasurer
Steven Kennedy, Esq, Secretary
Board Members
Dr. Alan Brown
Lea Christo, LICSW
Josephine Fitzgerald
John Haffty
Sandra Longvall Johnson
Kathleen Keohane
Julie Koshgarian
Deborah Martin
Robert McLaren
Winifred Octave
Doreen Samuels
