an updatE a <strong>home</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>our</strong> <strong>own</strong> campaign 2. From left to right: <strong>Boston</strong> philanthropists Suzy Welch, Sandra Edgerley, and Myra Kraft. 3. Long-time friends <strong>of</strong> BHCHP, Tom & Sue Reilly, sh<strong>own</strong> here with Bob Taube, BHCHP Executive Director. 4. Mayor Menino (center), sh<strong>own</strong> here with <strong>the</strong> evening’s entertainment, Pressure Cooker. The ska band features BHCHP HIV nurse, Michael O’Connor (to <strong>the</strong> right <strong>of</strong> Mayor Menino). 5. From left to right: Wendy Jacques, Jack Welch, Paul Jacques, General Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Boston</strong> Harbor Hotel. BOSTON HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM www.bhchp.org 2 3 4 nEw friEnds and loyal supportErs raisE $1 Million <strong>for</strong> BhChp 7 8 5 6
<strong>for</strong> MorE in<strong>for</strong>Mation, plEasE ContaCt us: 9 10 BasEBall hall <strong>of</strong> faMEr, dEnnis ECkErslEy, Brings Crowd to tEars and to thEir fEEt Red Sox fans in <strong>the</strong> room were overjoyed to see Dennis Eckersley’s name on <strong>the</strong> program at BHCHP’s recent capital campaign gala. It might have been easy to assume that <strong>the</strong> baseball legend was present simply to provide celebrity status. Easy, that is, until <strong>the</strong> star pitcher reached <strong>the</strong> podium. Amidst a recounting <strong>of</strong> major league statistics and pitching successes, Dennis, who has been sober himself <strong>for</strong> nearly two decades, revealed not only his <strong>own</strong> struggle with alcoholism, but his older bro<strong>the</strong>r’s battle with addiction and <strong>home</strong>lessness. As Dennis traveled <strong>the</strong> U.S. to pitch under <strong>the</strong> bright lights <strong>of</strong> major league ball parks, his bro<strong>the</strong>r Wally traveled <strong>the</strong> streets, moving from city to city, occasionally appearing where Dennis was playing. Despite <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> family and friends, Dennis shared how heartbreaking it was to see his bro<strong>the</strong>r struggling 6. Chronicle’s Mary Richardson spoke passionately about BHCHP’s work during <strong>the</strong> program and <strong>Boston</strong>’s <strong>own</strong> Lenny Clarke hosted a lively auction that raised more than $100,000. From left to right: Stan Leven and wife, Mary Richardson, and Lenny Clarke and wife, Jennifer. 7. New England Patriots’ <strong>own</strong>er, Robert Kraft, and wife Myra, pose <strong>for</strong> a photo with <strong>the</strong> Akins family. From left to right: Barbara Akins, Myra Kraft, Robert Kraft, Cary Akins, M.D., and Jennifer Akins. 8. From left to right: Don Rodman <strong>of</strong> Rodman Ford Sales, Al Minahan <strong>of</strong> PretiMinahan, and Kevin Quinn <strong>of</strong> Dacon Corporation. 9. Dennis and Wally Eckersley 10. Baseball great, Dennis Eckersley, shares his personal story and connection to <strong>home</strong>lessness. Pictured here with his wife, Jennifer. ChEryl d. kanE, rn, M.Ed. Director <strong>of</strong> Development/ Street Team Nurse 857.654.1045 ckane@bhchp.org linda o’Connor Capital Campaign Director 857.654.1050 loconnor@bhchp.org when his best memories had been keeping up with Wally and his friends in neighborhood baseball games. Dennis reminded us that “…<strong>the</strong> <strong>home</strong>less are not a group <strong>of</strong> nameless, faceless people. They are <strong>home</strong>less people, people who, <strong>for</strong> whatever reasons or tragic circumstances, find <strong>the</strong>mselves living on <strong>the</strong> street.” These are people who have a story, <strong>the</strong>y belong to someone. Wally Eckersley is a bro<strong>the</strong>r and a son, and in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> <strong>home</strong>less men, women, and children in <strong>Boston</strong>, <strong>the</strong>y are mo<strong>the</strong>rs, fa<strong>the</strong>rs, babies, friends, and loved ones. We at <strong>Boston</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Homeless</strong> Program are so grateful to Dennis <strong>for</strong> sharing <strong>the</strong> story <strong>of</strong> his <strong>own</strong> connection to <strong>home</strong>lessness, helping to raise awareness and break d<strong>own</strong> stereotypes that exist pertaining to <strong>our</strong> cities’ most vulnerable citizens. “The <strong>home</strong>less are not a group <strong>of</strong> nameless, faceless people. They are <strong>home</strong>less people, people who, <strong>for</strong> whatever reasons or tragic circumstances, find <strong>the</strong>mselves living on <strong>the</strong> street.” DENNIS ECkERSLEy