Boston, MA  J. Calnan and Associates (JC&A), one of the largest merit shop construction managers in the Northeast, is proud to support Heading Home, one of Boston’s leading providers of emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing for low-income homeless and former homeless children and adults, and its mission to end homlessness in the Greater Boston area.  After participating in a successful “Up and Out” program prior to the pandemic outbreak in 2020, JC&A’s internal philanthropy group, JCAres, was determined to volunteer again with Heading Home once in-person opportunities were allowed.

“Getting to spend a day with some of my favorite coworkers, bring the kids along, break out the tool box and witness a single mom move into her own permanent private apartment after three years of homlessness...nothing beats that feeling of pride.  What a gift to be able to make a difference in someone’s life,” expressed one JCAer.

JC&A has continuously shown support for Heading Home, including participating in the She4She virtual broadcast event as well as Housewarming 2022, an annual fundraiser that surpassed its goal of $1.5 million and raised a record-breaking $2.2 million earlier this spring.

Last weekend, a team of a dozen JCAers worked together on a shelter beautification for one of Heading Home’s family shelters in Dorchester. The shelter, which provides temporary housing to families and individuals awaiting their permanent placement, is currently home to six families, including several small children and two expectant mothers.  The team cleaned inside the house, washing windows and mopping and waxing floors, while others worked outside to mow the lawn, reinvigorate front gardens with fresh mulch and flowers, and plant a small vegetable garden in the back yard - improvements the team hopes everyone in the house will enjoy.

“We (Heading Home) are so glad we were able to host the JC&A group at Bellevue,“ commented Heading Home Development Associate Calleigh Leach. “They did some absolutely beautiful work and it was such a fun group. We are so excited to have the team back monthly for mowing and upkeep! We appreciate the generosity and spirit of the JC&A crew.”