Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation Provides a $100,000 Grant to Father Bill’s & MainSpring

Quincy, MA – November 11, 2021 – Recently, the Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) towards construction of the organization’s Housing Resource Center (HRC).  HRC is a new model of shelter, housing, and services for individuals at-risk of, or struggling with, homelessness on the South Shore. This new model incorporates best practices across the continuum of care, and has three components including a day center that offers wraparound services, an emergency shelter, and on-site permanent supportive housing.  

“Over the last 30 years Father Bill’s & MainSpring has proven that providing those challenged by homelessness with a safe, secure place to live is often the key to success in other areas of life,” said Edward H. Seksay, President and Chair of the Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation. “We are honored to support the Housing Resource Center which will allow Father Bill’s & MainSpring to serve more individuals and families.”

The city of Quincy acquired the land for the new project on FBMS’ behalf and furnished the 99-year land lease. The multi-use facility will be located at 39 Broad Street, directly across from Father Bill’s Place existing location in Quincy. The construction commenced earlier this month and will be completed in two phases. The first phase is the HRC building which is scheduled to be open by spring 2023. Phase one entails the construction of the two-story 16,000 SF HRC building which, in addition to shelter beds, will provide healthcare, meal services, young adult services, education services, veteran services, and substance abuse treatment in collaboration with local community partners. Phase two of the project will be the construction of a 20,000 SF four-story building with 30 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals. This phase of the project is scheduled to be open by summer 2023.

“A bold plan like the Housing Resource Center can only take shape with the support of caring partners like the Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation,” said John Yazwinski, President & CEO of Father Bill’s & MainSpring. “We are grateful to the Rockland Trust-Blue Hills Charitable Foundation for believing in our innovative vision to end homelessness and for its larger impact on our community, realized through its generous support of non-profits serving our neighbors in need.”

The HRC project will transform the way FBMS is able to serve the homeless population. The existing shelter in Quincy serves 900 individuals annually. The new HRC will help the organization better meet the increasing demand. Additionally, by emphasizing comprehensive, collaborative services as a first response, the new vision for FBMS’ services will reduce reliance on an expensive emergency shelter response, freeing up additional resources to be dedicated to this proactive, preventative model. The project will also offer participants a variety of day services, access to technology, showers, and more. For the first time, the most vulnerable neighbors in the city will have access to reliable, safe day facilities and services. This will lead to better outcomes for participants and the community.