'Deck The Cause' Rewards Somerville Nonprofits At Assembly Row

SOMERVILLE, MA — Assembly Row on Tuesday presented $5,000 to the winners of its 2020 "Deck the Cause" initiative. The Center for Teen Empowerment, based in Somerville, won the $2,500 "People's Choice Award," and an equal prize was presented to the Somerville Homeless Coalition for the "Judge's Choice Award."

"Deck The Cause" featured trees decorated by local non-profits as part of a self-guided stroll throughout Assembly Row. Participating organizations included East Somerville Main Streets, Breakthrough Greater Boston, Somerville Media Center, RESPOND, Inc., Somerville Homeless Coalition and The Center for Teen Empowerment. At each tree location, visitors scanned a QR code to learn more about each non-profit and vote for their favorites.

Each participating charity received a $500 donation from Assembly Row.

"Our holiday efforts this year were particularly focused on connecting with our community partners to not just create a festive atmosphere but support critical local resources," David Middleton, general manager for Federal Realty at Assembly Row. "As we get to the other side of the pandemic, we want to make sure these non-profits are able to continue to serve the needs of our neighbors."