Andy Acampora Will Speak at Caleb Fundraiser

This article was submitted by Jessica Herrick of the Caleb Group.

A Swampscott deacon who works on behalf of homeless youth will be a featured speaker  at a function for a local group that provides affordable housing for people in need.

The Caleb Group, an affordable housing nonprofit which operates nearly 2,000 units of affordable housing with social services in four New England states, is hosting its second annual fundraising event at Capt’s Waterfront Restaurant, Grill & Pub in Salem on June 2, 2011 from 6 to 8 p.m.

They will celebrate Caleb's newest initiative to provide affordable housing to youth aging out of the Massachusetts foster care system.

The “Fighting for Kids” event will feature a short presentation by Andy Acampora of Swampscott, founder of Journeys of Hope in Lynn, a day program for homeless youth.

Acampora is deacon at St. John Church.

Paige Apartments, located on Westford Street, is the only flat-iron building in Lowell, and was recently shot in the movie “The Fighter” starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale depicting Mickey Ward’s boxing career starting in Lowell.

Caleb was approached by the Department of Children and Families to assist in the acquisition and management of a small community to provide housing for this very vulnerable population. Caleb purchased Paige Apartments in January 2011 and is working on putting the funding together to make this project a reality.

The event will include a cocktail reception and silent auction. Silent auction items range from Red Sox tickets, signed sports memorabilia, baskets and a variety of restaurant gift certificates.

Tickets for the Fighting for Kids fundraiser cost $50 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Jessica Herrick at 781-595-4665.

All funds raised will be directed towards the purchase and renovation of an existing building in Lowell, MA that will be used to house 18 to 21-year-old boys aging out of foster care in the Northeastern part of Massachusetts.

The bulk of the renovations at Paige Apartments are going to take place in the basement level to convert the space into a functional community room and a computer learning center for the youth.

“This year’s event is to raise awareness for a rising issue of youth homeless in Massachusetts,” says Debra Nutter, president and CEO of The Caleb Group. “We’re proud to be part of the solution, at least in Northeastern Massachusetts.”

Caleb has created and maintained homes for low-income residents since 1992 and provides services and resources to help about 4,000 residents to access essential services to help women, men and children achieve self-sufficiency. Caleb remains committed to “building community, one spirit at a time.”

For more information, visit www.thecalebgroup.org.