Join Us For Good HarborCOV Organization

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Hey guys I am back for round two to share my thoughts on the Join Us For Good  movement,  sponsored by Eastern Bank. You may have read my post a couple weeks ago about the partnership and the amazing work they are currently doing here in the Boston area. But today, I wanted to highlight an incredible program that is based here in Chelsea, MA called HarborCOV that Eastern Bank supports, and to share a story about my husbands family who left everything behind in Sicily to build a new life in America. Keep reading, it’s pretty impressive!

Not only is Eastern Bank a community advocate for a variety of local organizations, their charitable contributions to programs like HarborCOV make it possible to provide free safety and support services for people affected by violence and abuse. The Targeted Grant will help fund legal advocacy for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Founded in 1998, HarborCOV provides free safety and support services, along with housing and economic opportunities, that promote long-term stability for people affected by violence and abuse. Specializing  in serving survivors who face additional barriers such as language, culture and economic hardship, HarborCov works to create connections for survivors that need help rebuilding their lives. 

I can’t imagine what it would be like to come to a country and have no idea how to speak the language, have no money and just want a better life for yourself and your family. My husbands family came to America on a boat from Italy in the mid-1950’s and neither one of his parents spoke English. It blows my mind what his parents went through! They had 5 kids under 14 years old in tow and one suitcase. ONE suitcase (actually it was trunk) for all 5 of them! They arrived in New York City with a couple bucks and that was it. We tell that story to the kids all the time because it’s important for them to know that their grandparents, aunts and uncles came to America for a better life and that people still today, are coming to America for a better life. While my husbands family were fortunate enough to arrive in the US, with a family member to sponsor them, many are not so lucky. It’s programs like HarborCOV that help immigrants who aren’t so lucky, to give them a change and a fresh start. 

My husband’s parents 

There are so many things you can do to help this organization (some I didn’t even know about until now). Donating new children’s pajamas, books and winter coats is one way you can help out and if you live locally, HarborCov hosts an event called Taste of Chelsea every year on the waterfront in Chelsea that raises money for the organization. What I didn’t know, is that you can adopt a family! I plan to look into those details a bit further and involve my son as we try to give back to those less fortunate than us. We have sponsored families in the past in other countries and would love to sponsor one here locally. 

Dedicated programs like these are difficult to keep going without the support from a powerhouse bank like Eastern Bank. Eastern Bank continues to support volunteering and charity, giving an average of 10% of their yearly net profit to charity. Pretty impressive right? I feel like everyone should have a voice regardless of who or what you believe in and everyone should be treated equal. Many of these groups need support and I am a firm believer in speaking, helping others in need whether it be through donations of clothes, household items or a financial donation. 

It’s very easy to be oblivious to what’s going on around you (I am guilty of this too) as life is busy. I learned so much about stuff happening right in my backyard that I knew nothing about until this partnership with Eastern Bank.

If you missed my post about Eastern Bank’s Veteran program and my grandfather, be sure to check it out here.  You can also find more information about Eastern Bank and all the community organizations that they advocate for on their facebook page, twitter and instagram accounts and use the hashtag #joinusforgood to see all the good they are doing in our communities.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Eastern Bank. The opinions and text are all mine.