Special to the Record
A regional partnership culminated in a remarkably successful inaugural season for the first ever Chelsea Regional Emergency Warming Center.
Through a strong regional partnership between the City of Chelsea and the City of Revere, more than $300,000 was secured to build the infrastructure needed to make the program a reality. Following an open RFP process, Selah Day Resource Center was selected as the Host Agency and Housing Families (HF) was chosen to manage nightly operations; a pairing that proved to be a natural and prevailing match.
At the heart of the program’s success was Roy Valentin, who served as the Host Agency Manager. Valentin brought an extraordinary combination of experience and heart to the role. A volunteer at Selah Day Resource Center, a former city manager executive, and a current Community Health Worker at Beth Israel, Valentin understood deeply the urgency of the work and showed up every day with purpose.
“My goal was to keep people off the streets and alive during the coldest months of the year,” said Valentin. “Most importantly, we provided guests with a sense of dignity and self-worth.”
The center operated from January through March, recording more than 3,000 visits and serving over 200 individuals. Guests received meals, snacks, beverages, beds, blankets, and access to showers, all in a safe, welcoming environment.
Pastor Ricardo Valle, owner of Selah Day Resource Center deserves tremendous credit for opening its doors and creating a space where some of the most vulnerable residents could find refuge, warmth, and respect. Pastor Valle’s daughter and Executive Director at Selah, Yamilett Tejada noted that the collaboration came together naturally; a testament to Selah’s longstanding commitment to serving those in need.
Housing Families (HF) was equally vital, bringing operational experience and a genuine dedication to the unhoused community. “Housing Families is grateful to have supported the unhoused community during a particularly harsh winter,” said Renee Cammarata Hamilton, senior director of advocacy and partnerships. HF’s professionalism and expertise in this area, helped set the tone for everything the warming center accomplished.
Health & Human Services Director Tracy Nowicki and Revere HHS Director Lauren Buck credited the early and unwavering support of City Manager Fidel Maltez and Mayor Patrick Keefe as the foundation that made everything possible. “That gave us the green light to write the grant together,” said Nowicki. Adding, “Our regional approach not only secured the funding we needed, but laid the groundwork for an even stronger partnership next season.”
The program also welcomed CAPIC’s S.U.D.S. program, led by Director Gladys Agneta and her dedicated staff, who were able to reach more individuals through their day programming at Selah generating nearly 70 referrals and connecting guests with housing resources, basic services, and clothing.
The broader community showed up as well. The Omni Seaport Hotel donated towels and toiletries, coordinated by Chelsea resident Marnie MacAlpine and Mike Matrinko, owner of the Brown Jug, gave several clients part-time work on Saturdays, offering not just a paycheck, but a sense of purpose.