January 9, 2008

For New United Way President, First Week Begins with Immediate Call to Action

BOSTON – Responding to Friday’s 2007 Homeless Census results which showed that children are the fastest growing homeless population in Boston, Mike Durkin, the new president and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley (UWMBMV) today supported Mayor Thomas Menino’s call for a focus on permanent housing as the most effective solution to homelessness. Durkin, who began his first week at UWMBMV on Monday, personally committed United Way to help end homelessness for children, families and individuals by building public will for the “Housing First” approach.

Durkin flew to Boston early to participate in the City’s Homeless Census on December 18 th. According to Mayor Menino’s office, which released the numbers from this census last Friday, the number of families (men, women and children) in the city of Boston without permanent homes grew from 2,636 in 2006 to 3,084 this year, an increase of 17 percent. The number of homeless children grew from 1,523 in 2006 to 1,849 this year, a 21 percent increase.

“To have any shot at success, children must have safe and stable homes. The fact that more than 1,800 of our city’s children are living without permanent homes is unacceptable, and that the number is growing, for me, represents an immediate call to action,” said Durkin. “Children are at the core of United Way’s mission and I am firmly committed to the partnerships and investments it will take to ensure that these 1,800 homeless children, and families and individuals throughout the Commonwealth have a lasting place to call home.”

Durkin has a strong history in fighting homelessness. In his previous role as president of Mile High United Way in Denver, Durkin helped to shape Denver’s Road Home, a multi-million dollar collaborative effort investing in long-term solutions to end homelessness. Durkin has taken the reigns at United Way of Mass Bay & Merrimack Valley at a time when the organization has increased its efforts to drive progress against our region’s housing and homelessness problems through proven strategies like Housing First. For Durkin, leading this effort begins with listening.

“ One of my earliest priorities at United Way is to hear from as many people as possible about the needs of the region – it was important to me to participate in Mayor Menino’s homeless census as part of that,” said Durkin. “Over the first few months, I want the conversation to continue. I’ll be meeting with business and community leaders, nonprofit agencies, government, individuals and families throughout the region to learn as much as I can about the need and using those discussions to help inform our work and inspire future partnerships.”

In his time as president of Mile High United Way, Mike forged partnerships with the City and County of Denver, Denver Public Schools, the State of Colorado and key national and local foundations, enabling Mile High United Way to leverage United Way resources more effectively. He is particularly remembered for his decision to turn the organization into a temporary shelter for 60-80 homeless men during an unusually cold Denver winter in 2004 when there weren’t enough shelter beds for the city’s homeless. During his tenure, Durkin also launched an innovative program helping families transition from temporary housing into home-ownership. (-more-)

About Mike Durkin:

Michael Durkin comes to United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley from Mile High United Way in Denver, Colorado where he coordinated the collective strength of more than 50,000 individual donors, 800 local businesses, 100 non-profit partners, United Way Board of Trustees and its staff to deliver long-term solutions for individuals and families in metro Denver.  He created the vision and five-year $250 million plan that transformed Mile High United Way into an organization focused on generating a deeper impact through three core areas: school readiness, youth success and financial stability for working families. Michael has more than 30 years of United Way experience.  Prior to joining Mile High United Way, Michael served as Executive Vice President for United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.  His United Way experience also includes senior management positions in the following communities:  Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Lawrence, Massachusetts; Boulder, Colorado; and Columbia, South Carolina.