Somerville Homeless Coalition Leading Fundraiser for Victims of Fire

SOMERVILLE, MA - The Somerville Homeless Coalition has currently raised more than $16,000 for people who were displaced due to a fire on May 5.

The SHC set up an online fundraiser using Crowdrise with a goal of reaching $25,000 to assist 35 people from 11 different families after their home was destroyed in a fire.

The purpose of the fund is to help cover short-term shelter costs or long-term housing needs for the victims, and subsequently for clothing and other essentials.

“It’s been phenomenal and heart warming,” SHS director of development Kathryn Benjamin told the Somerville Journal. “The city of Somerville’s a wonderful community and people really do care about their neighborhoods and this is something people identify with because by the grace of God it could be my building. People know there’s a need and people are really generous.”

The city and Somerville Public Schools have been working with the victims while other organizations such as East Somerville Main Street, the Connexion Church and Somerville Community Corporation have been helping as well, according to the Journal.