LIFT

LIFT-Boston engages regularly with locally based social service organizations to create reciprocal partnerships in order to capitalize on the strength of existing community resources.  LIFT highly values collaboration, not competition, within the sector and believes it is essential for nonprofits to work together along with for-profit industries to both move people out of poverty and permanently change the circumstances which produce poverty.  Last year, the Cambridge and Somerville offices received over 200 clients referred-in to LIFT from other service agencies, demonstrating the trust that local agencies have in LIFT.  Correspondingly, LIFT made more than 475 quality referrals-out to other service organizations in order to connect clients to the service they needed that LIFT does not directly provide, such as trained legal aid or medical attention.  This model of partnership ensures the non-duplication and efficiency of social service programs in the community and strengthens the social services infrastructure.

The Boston offices actively host and co-sponsor events on-campus and in the community to bring community members together, to bring together expert opinions and dialogue about community issues, and to raise awareness about the issues facing low-income families in Boston and the resources available to help them.  LIFT maintains strong relationships with Harvard University's Public Service Network and the Jonathan M. Tisch School of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University to encourage student awareness and action for the problems facing low-income communities in the Boston region, while representatives from the Cambridge Multi-Service Center, HomeStart, the Community Action Agency of Somerville, and the Somerville Homeless Coalition frequently participate in LIFT trainings and events.

Past events have included:

• Community outreach tours in the Somerville and Cambridge communities, where LIFT volunteers, community members, and supporters toured social service providers and community partners in the offices’ immediate neighborhoods.  LIFT volunteers were able to spread the word to new community partners, such as libraries, community centers, and shelters, about LIFT's services, while tour participants were able to see and meet social service providers in the area.
• "Picture the Homeless" poster exhibitions, where LIFT-Cambridge volunteers created posters dispelling myths about the homeless population to display on Harvard University's campus.  The event is part of LIFT-Cambridge's participation in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
• Volunteering and running on behalf of the Somerville Homeless Coalition, a community partner, for its annual 5K walk/run to benefit homeless services in the Somerville community.
• LIFT-Boston Bike Project, where LIFT volunteers distributed refurbished bikes, helmets, locks, and bike safety info to clients.  The reception was attended by clients and community partners who worked with the project to provide free, sustainable transportation for Boston-area residents when MBTA access proved unaffordable.