Food and Nutritional Services Manager

Open doors, shared futures: Victory Programs welcomes neighbors to 16 Williams Street. BROOKLINE, MA - Building strong community partnerships begins with transparent conversations and open doors. Following the acquisition of the historic property at 16 Williams Street in May 2026, Victory Programs held a neighborhood open house to share renovation plans, introduce program leadership, and answer operational questions before physical construction begins. Open house recap: rooted in community & care. During the open house, Victory Programs President and CEO Sarah Porter outlined the organization's overarching mission and long-standing focus on the intersection of homelessness, substance use recovery, and chronic health management. Operating 27 programs across Greater Boston with approximately 350 staff members, 16 Williams Street represents Victory Programs' first residential initiative in Brookline. "We feel like if people don't hear from us or know us or have a contact with us, mystery breeds," Porter emphasized, highlighting the organization's commitment to proactive, ongoing dialogue with municipal leaders, direct abutters, and local civic groups throughout the pre-development phase. Porter further highlighted the holistic philosophy guiding the agency's work: "What we really specialize in is the intersection of addiction, homelessness, and chronic health conditions - understanding that people very rarely need services from a place like Victory Programs because only one thing went wrong in their lives. What we try and do is create safe spaces and communities where people can access what they need to put their lives where they want them to be, which is healthy, happy, stable, housed. We all sort of want the same things for ourselves and our loved ones." The 16 Williams Family Home will expand Victory Programs' evidence-based Portis Family Home model. The home will serve single parents - primarily mothers - in sustained recovery who are reuniting with their young children. Residents live in the home for up to two years (averaging 1.3 years). "They work with an on-site team of dedicated staff like Tammy, Andrea, and Navissia around employment, health, restabilizing with their family, and their recovery - and then transition out into their own permanent housing and independent employment," Porter added. Nationally and locally, the Portis model demonstrates an unparalleled track record: well over 90% of families completing the program maintain permanent housing long-term. Transparent financing & capital planning. To ensure complete clarity around project funding, Chief Operating Officer Alex Train and CEO Sarah Porter addressed the capital structure supporting 16 Williams Street. Victory Programs acquired the three-story building in May 2026 using a $3.3 million private acquisition bridge loan from the Property and Casualty Initiative (PCI). Repayment of the acquisition loan is supported by secured public grants, including a $2.5 million HUD Community Project Funding earmark and a $200,000 MassHousing grant. To complete the estimated $1 million interior renovation - focused on ADA accessibility, mechanical modernization, and child-centered community spaces - Victory Programs is applying for standard competitive capital housing grants, including local resources through Brookline's Affordable Housing Trust Fund (Housing Advisory Board) and private philanthropy. Furthermore, Victory Programs has voluntarily executed a 25% Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Town of Brookline and enacted a permanent Affordable Housing Restriction, ensuring the property remains a tax-contributing, deed-restricted community asset in perpetuity. Current project status & phased timeline. Chief Operating Officer Alex Train confirmed that ongoing supportive housing operations will be funded in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). "This is a program that will be funded by the Department of Public Health," Train noted. "We're working closely with the Commonwealth on operational implementation as we scale our evidence-based model of family stability to meet the current housing crisis." The project is moving forward along a carefully phased timeline: * Summer-Fall 2026 (Design & Engagement): Finalizing schematic designs, conducting community open houses, and filing for a Lodging House License with the Brookline Select Board. * Mid-2027 (Interior Renovation): Commencing interior modernizations, which include full building life-safety upgrades, mechanical improvements, lead paint abatement, and a reconfigured layout featuring two fully accessible first-floor bedrooms, common areas, kitchen, and laundry facilities. As Train described, "The project's walkability, dignified design, and healthy outdoor spaces aim to foster connection and enhance well-being, concentrating heavily on a strong foundation of child development." * Late 2027 to Early 2028 (Grand Opening): Completing construction and welcoming the first resident families into the home. Operational commitments & neighbor accountability. To ensure seamless integration into the Coolidge Corner neighborhood, Victory Programs has established clear operational protocols centered on transparency and community accountability. The property features 24/7 on-site professional staffing managed under Housing Director Tammy Simmons-Dixon, supported by a direct 24/7 neighborhood liaison telephone line for real-time communication with abutters. Site security is strictly maintained through controlled access protocols, requiring sign-in procedures for pre-vetted family members (such as grandparents) and clinical care providers, while maintaining a strict prohibition on non-resident spouses or unvetted partners. To ensure zero parking impact on surrounding streets, on-site driveway spaces are reserved exclusively for staff and maintenance vehicles, as resident families rely on MBTA transit. Additionally, Victory Programs maintains active facilities management to oversee continuous property upkeep, including proactive pest remediation, regular trash removal, and landscaping maintenance. For project updates, FAQs, or to connect with the project team, visit vpi.org/16williams.

16 Williams transitional housing press release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Victory Programs expands family support with the acquisition of 16 Williams transitional housing. The new property will provide 24/7 wrap-around services and a safe, stable environment tailored for parents navigating early recovery and child reunification. BOSTON, MA - June 22, 2026 Victory Programs (VPI), a recognized leader in innovative housing, health, and recovery services for individuals and families, today announced the acquisition of a 10-bedroom residential property, located at 16 Williams in Brookline. Situated in a walkable neighborhood near public transit, local schools, and retail services, the property will anchor an expansion of Victory Program's family supportive housing program. "We're excited to embark on this critical project to improve public health and offer compassionate pathways to housing stability for families," announced Sarah Porter, President and CEO of VPI. "Upon completion, the project will create the dignity, encouragement, and tangible anchors of hope necessary for families to successfully realize long-term stability. The program, a cornerstone of VPI's investments in preventing family homelessness, will provide stable, dignified housing and supportive services to mothers undertaking the complex family reunification process with their young children, strengthening family cohesion. "As the housing crisis intensifies, VPI is focused on scaling our unique, evidence-based model of family stability, " announced Alex Train, COO of VPI. "In tandem, we're committed to contributing to the vitality of Brookline as an agency with deep roots in the region." Building on the success of existing family programs, like the Portis Family Home and ReVision Family Home, 16 Williams will offer a vital lifeline for parents working to heal from the traumas of homelessness and reconnect with their children. Over the coming months, VPI will undertake a design process to thoughtfully improve the property, while remaining faithful to the notable character of the building. This will include community workshops and stakeholder meetings to solicit feedback to strengthen the plan. A schedule of upcoming community sessions will be announced over the summer, with the renovation scheduled to be completed in 2027, culminating with the opening of the new program. Victory Programs Incorporated know that a thriving neighborhood relies on safe environments and clear communication, that is why Victory Programs is prioritizing robust, ongoing dialogue with neighbors and implementing rigorous operational standards. To ensure accountability and effective operations, 16 Williams will operate under the guidance of newly appointed Chief Operating Officer Alex Train. Bringing extensive expertise in community development, he will oversee strict security measures, clear visitor clearance protocols, and dedicated on-site management to maintain a secure environment for both residents and the Brookline neighborhood. VPI maintains a deep investment in both the long-term success of the families and the vibrancy of the neighborhood. To demonstrate this commitment and be good neighbors, Victory Programs is already taking proactive measures - including immediate ecological and rodent-remediation work, as well as improving the property's landscaping and site conditions. Ultimately, VPI aims to build genuine, lasting connections with the Brookline community, while positively contributing to the surrounding neighborhood. Families residing at 16 Williams will have access to Victory Programs' comprehensive wrap-around services, with dedicated staff on-site around the clock. This 24/7 presence ensures immediate support for residents while providing a strong sense of security and peace of mind for the surrounding neighborhood. These services include intensive case management, family support, and connections to community resources, all designed to help families stabilize quickly and transition into permanent, independent housing with the tools they need to succeed. About Victory Programs Victory Programs provides housing that meets people where they are, moving them out of crisis and into lasting stability. Serving the community for decades, the organization operates emergency shelters, temporary housing, and permanent housing, all equipped with supportive services to help those facing homelessness, substance use disorders, and chronic health challenges. To learn more, visit www.vpi.org.