New funding will help address hunger, evictions and digital divide

De Novo is among 22 nonprofits to receive grants from the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) to help residents in Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford experiencing extreme economic hardships caused by the pandemic.

Ranging from $29,000 to $10,000, the grants will help local nonprofits support vulnerable populations struggling with food insecurity, housing insecurity, utility arrears, and lack of access to technology for remote work and school. The total of $484,093 in grants were made possible by the Baker Polito Administration through the Mass. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development with some matching funds from CCF’s Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund. The State provided funding to local community foundations to ensure dollars were efficiently and rapidly deployed to people needing relief.

At De Novo, the client challenges are growing, from widespread unemployment and eviction, to an increase in domestic violence, complex immigration issues, and mental health needs.

“We’ve been inundated by requests for support on every front and in every category of need,” said Mojdeh Rohani, executive director of De Novo. “We look at a continuum of care and thanks to the support of our funders and outstanding work of our staff and volunteers, we have been able to help in every area of a client’s life our services touch.”

De Novo will use funds to provide rental and utility assistance to clients in Cambridge, Medford, and Somerville who are at risk of eviction. In addition, the organization is providing tablets to clients to ensure safe access to remote legal and counseling services. 

“We’ve all seen how dramatically the pandemic has laid bare the inequities in our communities, with our most vulnerable populations—immigrant families, people of color, gig workers, and working poor—being the hardest hit. Lack of food, losing housing, and the digital divide are daily challenges for many,” said Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation. “We’re incredibly thankful for this latest round of funding from the State, which will help our dedicated nonprofits support the most vulnerable in our communities. It is the steadfast support of our state and local leaders and individual donors that ensures those who need help now have a lifeline.” 

You can view the full press release and a list of recipients at cambridgecf.org.