Who We Are
We Understand That Housing Alone Does Not End Homelessness
EDEN, Empowered and Dedicated to Edify the Nation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping families break the cycle of homelessness and multigenerational poverty.
Our Story
EDEN was founded after Dr. Jehu Leconte spent years working directly with families experiencing homelessness. He saw a recurring problem: families were often helped into housing without enough long-term support to address employment, finances, trauma, food insecurity, childcare, transportation, and other barriers to stability.
EDEN was created to help close that gap.
Dr. Leconte’s commitment is personal. Born and raised in Haiti, he once experienced housing and food insecurity himself. Later, as a family shelter director in Brockton, he saw firsthand the challenges families face while living in shelter, and in the years after they leave.
Instead of addressing one need in isolation, EDEN surrounds families with practical tools, relationships, opportunities, and ongoing support.
90%
of surveyed professionals agreed that EDEN’s model was the most effective approach to ending homelessness.
Validated by Those on the Front Lines
Dr. Leconte conducted an anonymous, independent survey of social workers, clinicians, and other professionals who work with families experiencing homelessness.
Their insights confirmed EDEN’s approach and strengthened its commitment to being a community that offers families lasting support.
Our Mission
EDEN empowers families to break the cycle of multigenerational poverty and homelessness by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, resources, and opportunities necessary to achieve sustainable economic mobility.
Our Vision
A future where families are not defined by homelessness or poverty, and where parents and children have the opportunity to build stability, prosperity, and generational progress.
Our Values
Dignity
Every family deserves to be treated with respect.
Empowerment
We do not simply provide services; we help families develop their own capacity to succeed.
Community
Sustainable change happens through relationships.
Accountability
We measure success by meaningful outcomes.
Collaboration
The challenges families face are too complex for any organization to solve alone.
Equity
Opportunity should not depend on race, income, housing status, gender, or background.
What Makes EDEN Different
Led from within the community
EDEN is led by members of the Black community. Our leaders speak multiple languages and reflect the communities we serve.
Personal attention
We provide high-quality, individualized service that meets each family’s needs.
Support that lasts
We help families achieve and sustain housing, with ongoing stabilization support.
Culturally competent care
We take cultural competency and sensitivity seriously in everything we do.
Our Journey
2020
- Dr. Jehu Leconte meets with shelter directors to shape the program and founds EDEN.
2021
- Partners with Victory Programs to refer the first program participants
- Launches cohorts 1 and 2
- Receives seed funding from the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation and the Russell Gives Foundation
2022
- Partners with MHSA and Sojourner House shelters
- Launches cohorts 3 and 4
- Welcomes nine Advisory Board members and four new staff
- Secures funding from the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, the Yawkey Foundation, the New Commonwealth Fund, and the Red Sox Foundation
- Opens its Roslindale office and purchases a 15-passenger van
2023
- 89% of cohort participants are employed, 78% have secured affordable housing, and 75% have saved more than $1,000
- Secures funding from the Liberty Mutual Foundation, The Boston Foundation, and the Catholic Health Foundation
- Deidra Leconte joins EDEN as Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
2024–2025
- Serves 300 families across all programs: Empowering Migrant (150), Families Empowered (100), Financial Empowerment (30), and THRIVE Workforce (20)
And Beyond
EDEN will keep growing its team and scaling its programs to serve hundreds more families. As our model continues to prove its impact, we look forward to working with city and state agencies to bring a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of homelessness across Massachusetts. Because our program costs a fraction of housing a family for a year, EDEN helps families build the lives they deserve in a fiscally responsible way.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Help more families move from crisis to lasting stability.