“At the start of the pandemic, we knew we needed to find a way to help our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Andrew Marquis, senior vice president of CrossCountry Mortgage. “Friends of Boston’s Homeless allowed us to give back to the community and utilize our area of expertise – getting people into stable, permanent housing.”
And help they did! Over the last three years, the Marquis Team donated over $100,000 to our Housing Start-up Fund which helps our neighbors experiencing homelessness overcome the final barriers to a safe stable home (security deposits, first/last, and furniture and household items that must be new like new beds and linens) and get connected to the vital supports they need to rebuild their lives.
“It’s been years – decades really – since I’ve felt safe. My home has finally given me the security and stability I needed to believe in myself again and have faith in the future.” – Harry, Vietnam Veteran
Harry is just one powerful example of the Andrew Marquis Team’s impact on people’s lives and our community as a whole.
A Vietnam Veteran, Harry struggles with severe PTSD and was homeless for 27 years. He rarely came into shelters, but COVID brought him in more often as he was more afraid to be on the streets. With the persistent and caring work of the housing staff at Southampton Emergency Shelter, and our Housing Start-up Fund, he is finally safely housed and connected with the critical supports he needs to reclaim his life.
Thanks to the Andrew Marquis Team, hundreds of our most vulnerable neighbors like Harry are no longer struggling on our streets and in shelters. They are in safe (and warm) homes of their own and living hopeful, peaceful lives in our community.
And together with our amazing friends at CrossCountry Mortgage we are making our Village a happier, healthier, more equitable place for everyone.