Project home again provides people in need with household goods, furniture and appliances. The goal is to assist individuals and families to find and furnish a residence, enabling them to live in dignity as they attempt to transform their lives. In addition, the program provides an opportunity for the local Jewish community to reach out in a substantive way to help others in need in the Valley.

Founded four years ago by Nancy Kanell, a member of Temple Emanuel in Andover, the organization has now grown to 18 volunteers, a storage facility in Lawrence, and relationships with over 50 social service agencies in the Merrimack Valley. These agencies qualify potential recipients to ensure the program helps those truly in need. Agency caseworkers identify needs; large items are delivered, while smaller items can be picked up at the warehouse.  The Project is always in need of beds, especially mattresses. It is heartbreaking to know that many clients sleep on the floor without even a blanket. Indeed, securing a bed is often a requirement to secure custody of children.

Project Home Again is currently serving 70 clients per week; Nancy estimates that over 2500 residents were served in 2006. The program began with one small act of kindness. Nancy learned of a woman who needed a new stove but had no money to buy one.  She put a notice in the temple bulletin and got not one, but five appliances; she donated the remaining four to the local Habitat for Humanity.  The next month she asked for and received more appliances and furniture, which she donated to local agencies.  Through helping one woman Nancy began to understand both the complexity of providing such service as well as the magnitude of the need in the Merrimack Valley.

The majority of clients are single women households, frequently headed by a battered woman who needs assistance in setting up a new household in a safe environment. Some are victims of fire or other distress, some are new immigrants. Most donations are furnishings but cash donations through the "Good Night Sleep" program are used to buy beds and mattresses supplied through a local merchant who sells refurbished mattresses.

Project Home Again has now become an integral part of the social service network within the Merrimack Valley.  Although there are many agencies, few have the means or the systems to provide this type of service.  In the aftermath of last month’s horrific fire in Lawrence, the Project was able to quickly respond with assistance of all types. Project Home Again helps to build bridges between the Jewish community and the various Christian and Latino communities in the Valley.

For more information or to make a donation contact Nancy Kanell at 978-470-1356 or visit their website at www.phama.org.