Neighbor News
On The Rise, Inc., of Cambridge holds annual Prepare For Winter Dinner September 15
Benefit for area homeless women
A lively welcome by Event Chairs Janna Murgia and Jack Hoppin opened On The Rise's 19th Annual Prepare For Winter Dinner on Thursday, September 15. On The Rise is a day service that provides aid and support for area women from all backgrounds who are homeless or in need. It is located at 341 Broadway in Cambridge.
The dining room was filled to capacity as the event began at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Edwin Land Boulevard. Board Chair Carol Goss spoke to the crowd early on, taking listeners on an imaginary tour of places where a homeless woman in Cambridge might stop in the course of a day and traumatic events she might undergo. That woman can, with OTR’s help, become established in housing and put her own key into the lock for the first time, Ms. Goss told listeners.
“There just has to be a door for her to walk through,” she said. “Thank you for keeping that door open by being here tonight.”
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The audience watched a video featuring Alexandria Long, a local poet who at times in her career has depended on OTR for shelter and services, and Patricia Maher, APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse), who formerly worked with Healthcare for Homeless in Cambridge. In the film the two shared observations about issues facing homeless women and those who seek to assist them.
As the evening’s finale Ms. Long, known professionally as Alexandria Victoria Cox-Long, read a new poem and received a standing ovation. Commenting on Ms. Goss’s description of the open door at On The Rise, the poet said, “I can walk through that door, and talk to women who care about me.”
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During the meal the organization's Executive Director Martha Sandler announced that a special matching-funds boost for the evening’s fund-raising had been made possible by three special donors on the occasion. She expressed gratitude for the generosity of all who helped make the evening a success, including some three dozen business contributors to the silent auction and a wide range of local philanthropies and individuals. “This event raises about 20% of On The Rise’s budget for the entire year,” she said.
