Boston Housing Authority -

Home > News & Events > Press Releases > BHA Receives $500,000 Grant

Boston Housing Authority - BHA Receives $500,000 Grant

Main Menu

Sub Menu

• Press Releases
• Newsletters
• BHA Events
• What's New On The Site

Contact: Lydia Agro, BHA Communications Director, 617.988.4109
Location: Boston, Mass.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino is pleased to announce that the Boston Housing Authority was recently awarded a $500,000 federal grant which will provide employment assistance and educational services to youth residents ages 14-21 as well as to adults ages 22 and older. The program will be called DREAYM, Developing Resources by Educating Adult & Youth Minds.

“This is great news,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “These job training and educational opportunities will help the families in our public housing communities become more competitive in today’s job market.”

The three-year program will be primarily targeted to the Charlestown, Franklin Field, Mary Ellen McCormack, Old Colony, and Washington Beech developments, but will be available to other BHA residents. The funding will be used to expand economic opportunities for residents by providing them with job search skills and placements, GED, ESL and post-secondary education classes, structured after-school and summer activities, and support services related to child care, transportation and health needs. The BHA, through a combination of case and career management services, collaborates with a number of local tenant organizations and partner agencies (listed below) to provide these opportunities to residents.

“I am excited to continue the work with our residents that this grant allows,” said BHA Administrator Sandra B. Henriquez. “It is important to do all we can to assist our residents in becoming economically independent. This grant helps us move toward that goal.”

The more than 3,000 families who live at the five developments listed above will also have access to financial literacy services, free tax preparation, home-ownership referrals, and summer employment opportunities.

The services provided under the grant are made possible through the BHA’s partnership with the following organizations: Mayor’s Office for Jobs and Community Services, Boston Private Industry Council, Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), Institute for Community Inclusion, Boston University School of Public Health, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, J.F. Kennedy Family Service Center, Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition, Sociedad Latina Inc., Organization for a New Equality, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, JobNet Career Center, Hispanic Office of Planning & Evaluation, Easter Seals, YouthBuild, YMCA Training Inc., Job Training Alliance, Boston Workforce Development Coalition, the Boys & Girls Club, Girl Scouts and City Year.