The Third Street Alliance – this year celebrating its 100^th anniversary – is one of only two shelters in Easton.  It provides a safe environment for women and children while they get back on their feet.  It runs four separate programs: wellness, adult daycare, child daycare, and a 20-room residence program.  The Third Street Alliance also offers employment training and assistance.  All that takes not only dedication and funding, but a suitable facility.

“We have a great building,” says Judy Matthewson, executive director of the Third Street Alliance, “but it is aging.  It was built in three stages and is over a hundred years old.  It fits our purpose – an older place, yes, but ideal for promoting the self-esteem that we need to help engender in people.  It is right for who we are and what we do, but it does need some care.”

  That’s where the EWB folks come in.

“We were very happy to hear from Sara Page Podolsky of Engineers Without Borders,” Matthewson says.  “They wanted to help and they have the skills and the passion to do some important improvements for us.  We have plenty of ideas to keep them busy.  Right at the top of the list is energy efficiency.  During the winter we can spend $10,000 a month on heating.  Improving our operation will help our clients and help us keep our identity.”

 “We hope to get started very soon,” says John Cirucci.  “We’ve had people to the Third Street Alliance facility and have discussed their priorities.  We can make an immediate impact on Third Street Alliance’s utility costs and clients’ comfort through sustainable energy-efficiency improvements.  This is the beginning of a partnership that will last many years, with future projects ranging from building improvements to community education to a rooftop garden.”