United Way Of Massachusetts Bay, Inc.

  YAY! We are thrilled to partner with United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley

 TWO DAYS GET YOUR DONATION IN BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR!


The COVID-19 Eviction Crisis: an Estimated 30-40 Million People in America Are at Risk...

The virus has devastated the economy, our communities, our neighborhoods, and our families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers, academics, and advocates have conducted a continuous analysis of the effect of the public health crisis and economic depression on renters and the housing market. The Aspen Institute's study, www.aspeninstitute.org , as well as multiple other studies have quantified the effect of COVID-19-related job loss and economic hardship on renters’ ability to pay rent during the pandemic.

While methodologies differ, these analyses converge on a dire prediction: If we the people do not help now, 29-43% of renter households could be at risk of eviction by the end of the year. This has the potential of negatively impacting families and their children for generations.

My name is Norm Brzycki.  I am a business owner,  a musician, and a community activist.  Working with United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley  I am in the process of organizing virtual fundraising events and partnering  with a number towns, chambers of commerce, businesses, housing departments, and charitable groups in Massachusetts with hopes of expanding this effort to as many towns, cities, and states across the country.

I am building this organizing effort in the hopes of soliciting donations and helping and to get as much money as possible directly in the hands of the people who need it. Time is of the essence and we need to do as much as we can, as quickly as we can to avoid as much pain an suffering as possible.

If you are a town/city official, business owner, director of charitable programs, we are actively looking for sponsors and help with getting the word out.  Please reach out via the contact page on my web-site.

 "Making a difference is people's lives, makes a difference in yours"

It feels like we are doing this alone, but  WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! and while we ARE in it together, the only way that we can help slow the spread of this virus is to be physically separated from one another.

The Front Steps Project was started by Needham photographer Cara Soulia, to help bring us together when we might feel isolated, and share the faces of those in our community who are also living through this time. While we might not see our friends and neighbors in passing at the grocery store, coffee shop, on the train or at the gym, we are all here, wishing life would go back to normal. Participating in this project is also an opportunity to help those who need it most right now in our community.
 
For the next few weeks, I am offering to take five minute "Front Steps Portraits” of North Shore MA residents (20 mile radius of Newburyport, MA). After your session, I will email you the digital file of your portrait. In exchange, I am asking you to make a donation to United Way Organization, through this Go Fund Me Campaign.
 
I will be taking images outside ONLY and from at least 10 feet away, Our session will be brief, likely just 5-10 minutes.  I want to document you as you are today, living in this new "normal". That means PJ's and slippers are OK if you're getting through some days like I am! Or since you don't need to care what your kids look like for "school", feel free to let them pick out their outfits, whether or not they mismatched or weather appropriate. Are you a health care worker or someone on the front lines? Feel free to pose in your scrubs or work uniform because we all want to know who you are so that we can thank you. These sessions are available to families, couples, singles, roommates -- whoever is living in your home right now -- including pets, of course!

Please  click here  to participate