Working together, we can end homelessness in Falmouth.
Comprehensive Campaign
Thank you for your interest in learning more about BTEO and our Campaign Honoring Our Past- Building Our Future to purchase the Gerald Flynn House.
Imagine a community where everyone has a roof over their head and food on their table. A place where neighbors help neighbors, and we all belong together.
At Belonging to Each Other we believe that the most vulnerable members of our community deserve the very best of our humanity. Maybe you believe that, too? If so, we ask you to join the campaign by donating today to complete the purchase of our own home in Falmouth. The addition of the Gerald Flynn House allows us to continue offering support and guidance to our neighbors as they work to transition to stable housing. They need your help to succeed.
“They do not just give you a place to live, they teach you how to get everything in place, the paperwork, the documents, so you can move into a permanent home. If you follow the rules, it all works out.” ~ Former BTEO guest
The Need
BTEO’s program has relied upon the winter rental market for too long; a permanent, safe, and welcoming place will allow us to help and advocate for our homeless neighbors in need. As the price of housing and winter rentals continues to increase, BTEO has seen an increase in the number of residents requesting our services. The Gerald Flynn house is within walking distance of medical facilities, town agencies, shops, and the regional bus line. As compared to shared rooms in rental homes, the single room model is a safer, better way to house unrelated adults, especially given the aging demographic and behavioral health issues faced by many of our residents. It also supports BTEO’s compliance with HUD guidance regarding gender identity inclusiveness. This model allows BTEO, as an owner, to experiment with housing harder-to-place populations, as well as to comply with the requirements of our insurers and standards for congregate housing.
The Campaign to Date
Gerald Flynn was a long time Falmouth resident, was awarded the Falmouth Citizen of the Year in 1985, served as the Chief Administrator of Falmouth Hospital until his retirement, and was integral thread in our community as a humanitarian and activist. That thread of community collaboration and support is continuing as we work together to raise funds to purchase Flynn. We are grateful for the generosity and support already shown by both the Falmouth community and across the Cape. Beginning with the $300,000 challenge grant from the William and Linda Zammer Foundation and a $350,000 ARPA grant from Barnstable County, we have raised $1,000,000. Donations arrive from all level of donor – like the fourth graders at East Falmouth Elementary School, The Cape Cod Five Foundation, The Hermann Foundation, and faith-based organizations across the Falmouth area.
A stellar group of local contractors are providing free services to complete improvements at the house. And Farming Falmouth is helping BTEO create a sustainable, edible landscape in the yard.
How YOU Can Help
We are so close to our goal, but we need your help, the community’s help. So many of our residents simply fell into difficult situations. An unexpected medical emergency, a death in the family, a lay off from a second job.
“It’s scary how quickly things can go south. After a series of terrible events, BTEO provided me with a soft place to fall, swooped in and scooped me up. It was so much more than just a roof over my head.” ~ A recent BTEO guest
Together we can make our community one that cares for its own. Please join us to help us reach our goal. We have several levels of naming opportunities still available, and no gift is too small. Please follow the donate button to make your donation online.
We are so grateful for your support
Gina Torielli,
Executive Director
Jeffrey Oppenheim, Esq.
Comprehensive Campaign Chairman
Thank you for your interest in learning more about BTEO and our Campaign to purchase the Flynn House – Honoring Our Past- Building Our Future.
If you have questions, please contact Elyse DeGroot, our Director of Development (508)-284-4552.