House of Hope heads for the roof
Charity holds event atop Leo Roy garage
LOWELL >> “Because everyone needs a roof” was this year’s theme for House of Hope’s annual appreciation gala, and the nonprofit took that theme to another level — five, in fact.
From the fifth floor of the Leo Roy Parking Garage on Market Street, House of
Hope threw a rooftop party Thursday evening.
The 35th annual Harvest of Hope benefit was staged at an unusual venue, but the secondary motive for the high-rise decision was to overlook the four subsidized-rental properties the organization owns, housing a total of 39 families. That is in addition to the 58 families currently occupying their five shelters.
The vantage-point aspect was quelled due to the cloud cover and steady rain. But the joyous mood of 150 attendees was not dampened by the weather. The event, which also included a sprawling classic-car exhibit one floor below, was both an appreciation of the sponsors, donors, members and staff, as well as a fundraiser for the expanding organization.
From under a massive tent on the roof, Associate Director of Business and Development Jennifer Sharkey explained the bureaucratic process of hosting such an event.
“We asked the city if we could use one their garage’s rooftops to hold our Harvest of Hope,” she said. “They said, ‘Sure, which one?’ The one with the best view.”
After procuring the necessary permits and logistics, Sharkey had her starting point. Now, the question was how to get people to take the 72 steps up to the roof. There’s an elevator, but the enticements were ramped up by ramping up a dozen classic automobiles to display as part of the event. The connection to the theme? Even cars have roofs, yet lots of families do not.
Event planner Mark Caputo of MC Lifestyles has worked with House of Hope for 11 years and was among the group to conceptualize the gala.
“In the past, we have always staged the event at one of their properties or other venues. But parking was always a problem,” he said.
Not this year.
Sharkey explained House of Hope’s mission is to keep families safe, healthy
and housed during rough stretches. And the maintenance of that objective is a steep cost, yet met with thanks to several donors and government grants from the Massachusetts Department
of Housing and Community Development.
“All our families are screened through DHCD before they arrive here,” said Sharkey of the five shelter properties.
Once admitted into the shelters, families are safe to guide their own destiny toward something more permanent. House of Hope now has 39 rental units, all occupied, within their purview. But the ultimate aim for the organization is to buy or build more permanent housing units for the families. Their currently held properties comprise a sizeable real estate portfolio, but the need for more affordable housing continues to grow.