They also deny basic services to New Life program participants. The head of this program told me that he could determine if a mental health assessment was needed even though he lacks any training in this area. My relative who participated in the program was told he would be kicked out of the program if he kept an appt. to have a mental health evaluation. He was told to pray instead of seeking this assessment (which would have helped determine what State programs he qualified for and what services he might need). My relative also was not allowed to leave the facility to apply for medicaid and instead, was told to pray that his health condition would be resolved. The shelter had difficulty finding a tutor for the GED test but refused to allow my relative to access a free GED class within walking distance.

While I’m sure that some people have benefited from this program, I believe that the first priority of the shelter staff is to use food and shelter as a tool to impose their religious ideas upon desperate people who have few options for support and that is just wrong.

Western Mass: 297 families 16% from out of state

State total: 951 families 31% are in Western Mass.

12/21/09 motel stats

Western Mass: 306 families 17% from out of state

State Total: 986 31% are in Western Mass.

in one week 9 families exited motels.

As of 12/7/09

Statewide: 1032 families
western MA: 310 down by one out here over last week.