The City of Boston failed and neglected approximately 700 men, women, and children living on Moon Island the evening of October 8th when it decided to close The Long Island Shelter Bridge, shutting down 11 or so programs, giving the staff an approximate 4 hour notice to scramble to find replacements programs and beds in a state that already fails severely short of treatment beds and shelters, without proper evacuation plans, bare minimum replacements beds, no idea how to get personal belongings, medications, medical records back to them, provided no public outreach, and so much more!

This can never happen again! We need to relocate and reopen those programs. We need to make sure the funding was frozen, any reimbursements to state funded insurance plans took place, that there is a plan in place to get these people off the cold streets and back into treatment and whole lot more. We need to know now. Invite all your town, city and state elected officials. We are all in this together.

On the evening of Wednesday, October 8th approximately 700 people receiving treatment and shelter on Moon Island in Boston were told they were being evacuated.

The staff of 11 or so programs were given an approximate 3 hour notice to scramble to find replacement programs and beds in a state that already falls severely short of treatment beds and shelters. What a daunting task for so many caring people who also just learned they would be out of a pay check weeks before the holiday season.

Also on the island were farms and chicken coops that were attended to by the Friends of the Homeless and others. These farms provided a variety of fruits, vegetables and eggs to the local shelters both on and off the island. The farmers were also forced to evacuate, leaving behind bountiful crops set to feed thousands until the end of the harvesting year.

The crops are now wasted and lay rotting as too many deserving people in dire need of help lay on the streets of Boston, calling it home. All awhile they are searching daily for answers of where to go, where to eat and where to turn for treatment.

On November 19th we will Rally to Rebuild Hope for all of those affected by the closure of The Long Island Bridge. If you are, you were or you know someone that was affected by this devastating closure, please join us as we address both City and State government in search of answers and solutions to this potentially deadly scenario.

We will assemble @ Boston City Hall, hear from our speakers and march on to the State House to hear from our closing speakers. Our march will be unbroken and will represent the need for unbroken communication between The City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Unbroken, transparent communication, planning, funding and accountability is absolutely necessary and must start now in order to increase the number of treatment facilities and shelters.

In honor of all who have battled the disease of addiction and have been taken too soon we ask that you consider being involved so we can continue to work to save the lives of those continuing to struggle. God Bless their families/loved ones and put peace and happiness in their hearts.

On behalf of all parents of homeless, adult children battling the disease of addiction living in the streets of Boston Hand Delivered Hope welcomes all your questions and comments.

Every person receiving services on Moon Island was someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter, no matter what their age. We are all in this together. With my warmest gratitude ♥

SOURCE: handdeliveredhope@gmail.com; 774-274-8984;Lynnel Cox; Hand Delivered Hope, P.O. Box 189, East Bridgewater, MA 02333