Lowell Transitional Living Center

Lifting the Stigma of Homelessness

By Katrina McDowell on Nov 8, 2024 in Giving

Yardi-supported nonprofit Lowell Transitional Living Center (LTLC) is the largest shelter north of Boston that provides services to over 100 individuals daily. Located in Framingham, MA, established in 1987, it is a shelter that offers clients transitional living, three meals a day, laundry facilities, and showers.  It also operates many programs, including a Diversion Program and the region’s only Winter Emergency Bed Program.

“Our mission is to help individuals go from homeless to housing by providing case management support and offering individualized plans that suit our client’s needs,” said Debra Leary, senior development manager at LTLC.

LTLC continues to find permanent supportive housing (PSH) for its clients, which is no small feat, given that the price of housing in Lowell is rising. As an organization, LTLC will continue to work and grow its PSH program to help those most in need. Funding from Yardi helps LTLC lift the negative stigma associated with homelessness and helps them work hard with kindness, encouragement, and support that go a long way to change someone’s life.

“We are so very grateful for the continued support and generosity of Yardi Systems. Without companies and donors like Yardi, LTLC would be unable to operate,” said Leary. She continued, “It is not easy to put into words just how impactful it has been to have the support of Yardi Systems over the last few years.  LTLC is extremely grateful for all you have done and continue to do. We are so very grateful; your generous gift makes a huge impact on us.”

Rebuilding Bob

Bob understands why some people are reluctant to stay in a shelter if they lose their home because that’s how he felt when he and his roommates were evicted from a shared apartment early in the pandemic. Pride and concerns about the shelter environment kept him from seeking assistance, and he got by sleeping in his taxi or at the dispatch office.

But after a month on the street, he decided to set aside his pride and ask for help at LTLC. What happened next surprised him. Bob was placed in the LTLC dorm and assigned a case worker, who began helping Bob rebuild his life. LTLC’s Low Threshold Permanent Supportive Housing Program quickly found a studio apartment and helped him furnish it. His case worker got him into a rehab program to help kick an addiction to painkillers that he had developed following an earlier surgery and signed him up for Social Security disability insurance. That extra income added to his earnings as a cab driver and made it possible for Bob to afford an apartment without Section 8 assistance.

Bob knows his life would not be what it is today without LTLC. “The shelter is a great stepping stone,” Bob says. “The case managers are people’s people; they really care and help. Rebuilding is hard. I wouldn’t have made it without the program.”

Bob’s story is just one of many demonstrating the life-changing impact of LTLC’s programs.

“It has been a joy to see so many clients of ours get themselves back on their feet with the help of our case managers,” explained Leary.

Volunteer Opportunities

Lowell Transitional Living Center offers several volunteer opportunities. LTLC seeks volunteers to help at its Steps to Home Walk on September 14. Volunteers will follow the course to direct people, help with registration and guide people to the ice cream social.

In addition, LTLC offers volunteer work by organizing at its donation center, serving meals to clients or hosting a toiletry drive. Those interested can reach out to Debra Leary at [email protected].

Find future non-profit profiles at https://www.yardi.com/blog/category/giving.

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