atLaw
Kathleen E. Cross
617 226-3433
Shareholder
Areas of Concentration
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Business Separation
Education Law
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A team spearheaded by Hanify & King, P.C. spent two Sundays this May transforming the bleak space outside the Family House Shelter in Dorchester into woodland gardens. Hanify & King partnered in this volunteer effort with Arlington landscape architect Jonathan Keep, Executive Director of Kartwheels In Motion, Inc., Jeannie Watson and major donor Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton.
The Family House Shelter houses 24 homeless families and was recently renovated inside to accommodate more residents and better facilities. The renovation ran short of funds, leaving the grounds of the building rough and unfinished. This volunteer project encompassed colossal efforts by volunteers from Hanify & King, Williams College Boston Alumni, Roxbury Multi-Service Center and the residents (present and alumni) and staff of the shelter.
Most impressive was the broad and enthusiastic participation of the children residing at the shelter. While the major deprivations of homelessness are plainly apparent, some of the everyday opportunities that most of us experienced as children, such as the minor miracle of planting a flower and having it bloom, are sadly absent for homeless families. This spring, such an opportunity was provided at the Family House Shelter -- mud and fledgling plants were abundant.
On June 28, 2004, six weeks after the plantings were completed, the ribbon was cut by mayoral representative Charlotte Golar-Richie, the City of Boston’s Chief of Housing and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development, under the fluttering leaves of the new River Birch trees. Brenda Gadson, Executive Director of the Roxbury Multi-Service Center (parent organization for the Shelter) commemorated the completion of the renovation with thanks to all of the many contributors to its success. The dedication ceremony included moving testimonials of several shelter residents who described the surprisingly unremarkable events that led to their family’s homelessness. In a city where affordable housing is too scarce and the finances of too many families are one lost paycheck away from disaster, the Family House Shelter has provided a fortunate group of families with the stability and support to rebuild their economic lives, while preserving the emotional well being that comes with daily life together.
Other nurseries, landscapers and greenhouses which donated plants and services: Russell's Garden Center of Wayland, Stonegate Gardens, Inc. of Lincoln, Boston Bark of Waltham, A. Thomas & Sons of Milton, Bay State Sand & Gravel, Minuteman Landscaping of Brighton, Zak Drew and others.
