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Concert benefits homeless

For many families living on the streets and in homeless shelters in Cambridge, this Friday’s Fourth Annual Cambridge Homeless Benefit Concert, put on by the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund, provided a glimmer of hope.

The show, entitled “Celebrating Community Spirit,” featured Grammy-nominated jazz singer and nine-time Boston Music Award winner Rebecca Parris, Kansas City-style blues singer Paul Broadnax, and the Kenny Hadley Big Band. Drawing an audience of more than 300, the concert raised more than $120,000 in ticket sales and donations, a number that will allow for housing grants for over 100 families. For many families, this money will provide, for the first time, a place to call home.

“I’ve rarely in my life experienced such generous giving from the community,” said Jennifer Maxwell, a CHAF board member and Boston University alumnus. “Everyone has stepped in tonight–even those who could only give $10.”

Since its creation in 1999, CHAF has provided housing to more than 300 homeless and near-homeless families by awarding grants to cover the startup cost of renting an apartment. With financial support from a coalition of community leaders including Harvard University, Cambridge banks, businesses and individuals, CHAF’s first three concert benefits raised more than $300,000.

“There’s enough housing in Boston for all people,” Maxwell said. “Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head — a place where they can close the door and know they’re going to be safe.

“At CHAF, we are able to provide first and last months’ rent, as well as a security deposit for individuals looking to rent an apartment. We get grants for these people in five days, and in five days, they go from not having anywhere to go, to having a home they can call their own,” Maxwell described.

David Pap, director of CHAF, emphasized to the audience the need for programs such as CHAF is now greater than ever because of recent state budget cuts.

“We’re here to tap our feet to the music,” Pap said. “But more, we’re here to raise money and awareness to the cause of the homeless.”

Kathleen McGrath, an audience member originally from New York, said she could relate to much of what CHAF grant recipients must experience.

“While I’m not directly involved in the organization,” she said, “it reminds me of situations I’ve been in in the past, and how hard it is to actually get an apartment here in Boston. I grew up in New York, but I’ve lived in St. Louis and Houston. When I first moved here, I thought, ‘Oh my God, how am I going to do this?’ Somehow you muddle through, but for many people working minimum wage jobs, trying to support themselves and their children, it must be impossible.”

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