Page 56 - BusinessWest December 9, 2024

WAY FINDERS INC.
1780 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 233-1500 www.wayfinders.org
President and CEO: Keith Fairey
YEAR ESTABLISHED
1972
OPERATING BUDGET
$35 million
MISSION STATEMENT
Way Finders builds and advocates for a thriving and equitable region by improving the stability and economic mobility of families and individuals, together with developing and managing
a wide range of housing to support strong communities.
BOARD MEMBERS
Jasmine Naylor, Chairperson
Erica True, 2nd Vice Chair
Leonard Underwood, 3rd Vice Chair
George Rosa, Treasurer
Denise Cogman, Secretary
Rondey Allen Marta Alvarez Jim Broderick Adlyn Colon Amber Coughlin Jim Hickson Harry Montalvo Andrew Morehouse Melissa Prohaska Alicia Raymond Janna Tetreault Karon Tyler
G36 DECEMBER 9, 2024
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WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
Way Finders tackles the housing crisis head on.
Housing is more than a roof over one’s head. It’s knowing you’ll be home for the holidays, and the holidays to come. Sending your kids to the neighborhood schools. Making friends and memories.
At Way Finders, we’re happy to provide safe and stable rental housing in our developments for almost 900 families in Western Mass. And we work with 5,000 more families to help them find and rent affordably in the private market.
Way Finders is expanding the definition of housing beyond four walls and a roof — to housing stability. It’s getting the help you need to stay in your home, owned or rented, if times get tough.
Here’s a snapshot of the work we’ve done in the past year to create housing stability for Western Mass. families:
• Number of families living in stable, affordable Way Finders housing: 846
• Number of affordable housing units we will build in the next few years: 200+ • Number of families we support who live in stable, affordable private-market
housing: 5,000
• Number of families living in our housing shelters: 297
• Number of calls, emails, or office visits by people requesting housing or financial
assistance: 80,000
• Number of services we provided (application assistance, housing search,
referrals): 8,000
• Number of clients we helped apply for and receive emergency financial
assistance to help pay overdue rent, mortgage payments, or utilities: 7,460
• Amount of assistance: $31.4 million
• Number of financial education, homebuying, or landlord classes given: 58 • Participants in our financial education classes: 144
• Participants in our first-time homebuyer classes: 689
• Number of homes purchased: 198
• Value: $49 million
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Way Finders relies on the generosity of our community to provide critical services to help individuals and families get housed and stay housed.
Every contribution, no matter the size, has the power to change lives. Your generosity helps us continue our mission and reach those in need. Whether it’s a small donation or a few hours of your time, every bit counts.
Did you know that your contribution of $1,000 or more could be eligible to receive a 50% Massachusettstax refund? Any Massachusetts taxpayer — an individual, corporation or nonprofit — could be eligible for this benefit when donating to Way Finders. Do well by doing good. Learn more at wayfinders.org/citc.