Child Psychologist, Trauma Advocate Runs the 125th Boston Marathon to Support FamilyAid and Homeless Children and Parents
Dr. Carmela DeCandia is training hard to run the Boston Marathon on October 11, but Carmela’s goal is even bigger than completing 26.2 miles — She is raising funds in support FamilyAid, a Boston-based nonprofit that empowers children and parents facing homelessness to secure and sustain housing and build strong foundations for their futures.
As the owner of Artemis Associates LLC, Carmela is aware of the effects of trauma on children and parents. “For over 30 years I have worked to support children and families affected by adversity, and the systems that serve them. And for 40 years I have run- on sports teams, for my health and wellness, and just for the fun of it. Running the Boston Marathon to support FamilyAid Boston marries these two passions- I get to support a great program that knows the value of two generational housing and service delivery to end Family Homelessness, and I get to have fun doing something that brings me joy. I know FamilyAid will carry that joy to the families too!”
Boston now has the third highest number of families experiencing homelessness on any given night in the country. Over the past year, FamilyAid provided 3,000 children and parents with the shelter, housing, and the supportive services needed to sustain or return to stable housing. During the pandemic, FamilyAid added emergency initiatives that provided 580,000 pounds of essential food and supplies to families weekly and $1.1 million in direct financial assistance to ensure families could pay for food, utilities, and other basic needs. The organization also opened a new, safe refuge shelter for families who arrived in Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center emergency rooms seeking a place to stay. Families who are placed in housing by FamilyAid have a 99% success rate of remaining housed a year later.
Through the John Hancock Marathon Non-Profit Program, and the dedication and support of FamilyAid’s Marathon team, FamilyAid hopes to raise critically needed funds to create lasting solutions to the family homelessness crisis in our community. To learn more about FamilyAid Boston, please visit www.familyaidboston.org.
To make a donation to Carmela, please visit her fundraising page.
