The Almost Home program recently closed its doors due to loss of funding from the Parole Board transitional housing program:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20090710/NEWS/907100401

We wanted to take the time to thank everyone who was involved in the launch of this program, and its successes for the last three and half years. This truly was a community project, with many partner agencies and churches helping the residents in their transition to the community. Folks like Pernet Family Health, the Health Foundation of Central MA, St. Rose of Lima, St. Joan of Arc, St. Mary's of North Grafton, Salem Covenant Church, Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Lady of Good Counsel, College of the Holy Cross, Stoddard Trust, UMASS, The Massachusetts Parole Board and Sheriff's Department, and many others made Almost Home a great place for successful and holisitic prisoner reentry. Our staff was instrumental in making this project a success - and we appreciate their service, While we are disappointed in the loss of the parole transitional housing program funds, we recognize that many agencies and businesses are affected by the same economic tre

nds. Currently, we are exploring the next step with the house and project for the future. We are fortunate that our flagship progarm on Richards Street, Dismas House, and the Father John Brooks House remain strong, thanks to the involvement of the community as church cooks, student interns, and our many foundation funders and private donors who have supported our mission of reconciling former prisoners and society for so many years.

One door closes, and another one opens. Despite the closure of Almost Home, Dismas is still forging ahead with our plans for a new farm project to serve additional people in need in the community. Stay tuned as we continue progress towards this goal.

As always, we encourage you to visit our website for updates, to DONATE SECURELY ONLINE, or to sign our guestbook which is located in the "About Us" section of the website, at www.dismashouse.org.

On behalf of the Dismas family, many thanks.

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