January, 2012

Happy New Year!

2011 was a great year for Homes with Hope, and we are all energized about the opportunities in 2012.

In the past 15 months, we have begun providing supportive casework services to five new residents a Fair St. Apartments, in Norwalk,; ten new units at Hales Court in Westport (if you have not seen this new gem of a property that was developed by the Westport Housing Authority, PLEASE take a drive through; it is gorgeous!); and we will soon occupy 86 Saugatuck Avenue with a new, large family as part of our flagship supportive housing facility.

This growth has created opportunities for many more previously-homeless people to secure permanent residences.  In some cases, these are the first homes they have had in many years.    A few moved into their homes from their cars and vans; we were all thrilled that they gained occupancy before the winter weather really kicked in.  Most came from emergency shelters where they had been bouncing around for years.  A few came from the unsustainable arrangements with friends and relatives or other makeshift structures that boggle the mind in this day and age - and in this community.  Our new residents are the lucky ones, but there are many others still out there, and we will keep trying to house more; especially where children are involved.

At this year's holiday party, the staff and I independently remarked at the positive spirit  that so many of our clients exhibited.  This was due in part to the fact that many of them had just moved into new homes and were being looked after by caring individuals.  In the world of homelessness caring individuals are rare.  And that is why we are so energized at Homes with Hope.  The community in which we operate is so incredibly caring, so incredibly generous that it defies the statistics of homelessness support.  We continue to raise about 70% of our operating budget from individuals and foundations in the community.  Only 30% comes from the government and in a world where we hear of government shortfalls, ours is not only a wise strategy; it is a good way to operate.  But it is a rare community that supports such an endeavor.

We are humbled by the support we receive, and we thank the community for providing it.  In return we will continue to strive to be the good neighbor that we have been for 27 years.

Thank you for supporting Homes with Hope, and all of it's programs:

Gillespie Center - Hoskins' Place - Bacharach Community - Saugatuck Apartments - Westport Rotary Centennial House - Fair Street Apartments, in Norwalk - Hales Court - Community Kitchen - Food Pantry - WIN (Women's Interfaith Network) - PRIDE

Jeff Wieser, President & CEO