First Site Visit (Written by Kiara Davis)

On Monday, February 12, 2018 Our class had its first opportunity to perform a site visit with a local non-profit organization, Bethany Hill Place. Our class had prior knowledge on Bethany Hill given by the professor because a few of us have volunteered to raise funds for them. This fund raiser is in a response to a challenge posed to the previous Non-Profit Class. Having the opportunity to actually see the organization served as an additional source of motivation.

 As stated on their website, "Bethany Hill Place is a living and learning community of neighbors that provides independent, affordable housing and educational opportunities within a climate of respect, inclusion, and acceptance." http://www.bethanyhillschool.org/

Our class all met on campus and carpooled with each other to the Bethany Hill Place campus, located in Framingham Ma. Upon approaching the premises of the facility, the 3 other students in the car, along with the professor, openly admired the landscaping and scenery of the surrounding property. Once we arrived we were greeted by the Executive Director, Trish Appert. She escorted us to a room with multiple chairs and tables. It was there where she then went over how the tour and visit would be structured.

Trish introduced herself, her assistant program director and a current resident who lived there. The way Trish inform us on the local affordable housing crisis was only made more palpable, through the personal testimony given by the current resident herself. It seemed as if the young single mom was not able to tell her full story because she was over whelmed with so many emotions. She attempted to speak a few times but couldn't even finish her sentence because the mere talking about it aloud brought her to tears. She was finally able to compose herself enough to tell us how Bethany Hill Place has been life changing and enhancing to her family of 4 school aged children through the educational programming and housing supports they provide. Witnessing the emotional strain poverty has had on this girl brought, what most of us have heard of but never seen, the issue of poverty and homelessness to life.

Following the tour of the property, which included a view of a vacant unit, we returned to the large room for a Q&A. During this time, we came to learn about other technicalities that play into running and maintaining a non-profit organization. The most important thing I took from the Q&A was the in depth breakdown of expenses, revenue, and funding needed to sustain this particular organization.

The last few minutes of the class was used by Dr. Silver for an emotional check-in with the group as well mentioning brief course announcements.

Overall, visiting Bethany Hill Place as our first site visit was not only informative but it set a foundation for what to expect during our site-visiting part of this course. We have also become even more inspired and motivated to raise funds for Bethany Hill Place.