Waltham summit brings faith leaders together to tackle rising homelessness

With the region’s homeless crisis deepening, two dozen faith leaders from Waltham and surrounding communities gathered on Sunday, April 19, to discuss coordinating relief efforts. Chaplains on the Way, an interfaith ministry serving unhoused neighbors, hosted the event at First Parish in Waltham, 50 Church St.

According to Michael Jones, executive director of Chaplains on the Way, attendance at its daily breakfast program and warming center jumped by 66.7% in recent months — a surge that has strained the organization’s capacity and underscored the need for regionwide collaboration. On top of the growing need, “we need to make up for funds lost from government programs,” he said.

The summit drew 24 attendees, including faith leaders from Waltham, Lexington, Newton and Harvard, as well as Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy and Chloe-Rose Crouch, executive director of the Community Day Center of Waltham.

Crouch described the services CDC provides to people experiencing chronic homelessness. It is the only drop-in day center in Metrowest. People are served lunch and have access to a shower and free clothing. On-site counselors help manage their issues, connecting people to services and transitioning them into more permanent housing. The center served some 400 people last year, Crouch said. 

Chaplains on the Way provides a free hot breakfast on weekdays in the winter and Tuesday through Thursday in warmer months. “We used to serve around 30 people a day but it’s gone up to around 60 a day this year,” said Ed Madson, the organization’s Director of Chaplaincy and Programs.

Rabbi Ben Chaidell said Temple Beth El operated a warming center this past winter and lends its kitchen to Food not Bombs, a group that provides free meals. 

Finding space

Father Michael Nolan of St. Mary Parish said it has become harder for people to find spaces to live. Mayor McCarthy praised the Community Day Center’s success in finding housing for people and said the city is working to provide more resources. The former Bright School will be an emergency center and 17-bed shelter for women, she said. The former Elk’s Lodge is being renovated to provide housing for “working but homeless” women aged 55 to 65, who don’t yet qualify for Social Security.

“We’re trying to keep resources downtown” where it is easier for people to access them, McCarthy said.

The nonprofits and faith communities serving the homeless “need help,” said Jones. “We need volunteer chaplains. We need people to help cook breakfast and run the spaces.” Waltham absorbs unhoused individuals disproportionately from surrounding communities, he noted.

Madson encouraged volunteers to consider becoming a chaplain. “I’m here just to walk with a person. To make that connection and see the person who’s in front of you. That’s the heart of chaplaincy.” 

The homeless are our neighbors, he said. In providing food and shelter, “We’re taking care of our neighbors.”