The cries of infants and voices of children and teens have been a daily part of the sounds and life at 50 Nichols Street since 1995. Our family shelter provides a safe, healing environment for two families at a time, who find themselves without a home. Caring staff assist families to access daycare, education, and other needed resources, as well as assist them in the difficult search for permanent housing and other necessary resources. This service was added in December 1988 to assist the many Fairfield residents, with or without homes, who need support, structure and a place where they can productively spend their day. Men and women carry out assigned jobs and participate in educational and recreational activities coordinated by staff.
Guests enjoy the prepared lunch and use the newspapers and phone to seek employment and housing.
Volunteers, from local schools and universities provide support, conversation and social contact. Each night volunteers from churches, youth groups, synagogues, neighborhood and civic groups cook, deliver and serve home-cooked meals. These meals, which are free, not only provide physical sustenance, but the warmth of human companionship and often the bright spot in their day, for some of our loneliest neighbors. We know there is. Our name was chosen out of the belief that ONLY a caring human response to people in need brings hope.