Homeless to Housing Program Changes Lives

Homeless to Housing Program Changes Lives

Near & Far Grant $20,000 to Open Door Shelter in Fight to End Homelessness

Near & Far Aid recently notified Open Door Shelter of their continued support through a $20,000 grant to help fund Open Door Shelter programs in an effort to end homelessness. This agency partnership will provide needed support to hundreds, if not thousands, of low income and chronically homeless individuals throughout the Greater Norwalk area.

This grant will be used to support Near & Far Aid’s mission goals including Survival—by providing shelter, hot meals, and case management, Economic Security—by providing job training and financial literacy programs and helping individuals manage expenses, obtain benefits and find employment, and finally Education and Hope for the Future—by providing after school tutoring, academic enrichment and recreational programs.

Near & Far Aid is an all-volunteer fundraising and fund granting organization, dedicated to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County. Their mission aligns with that of the Open Door Shelter, which is to effectively address the causes and complexities of the homeless and working poor by providing shelter, food, clothing, case management services, treatment services, transitional planning for short and long term goals, subsidized housing, education, employment, and a path towards independence and success.

Together, Near & Far Aid and the Open Door Shelter will work towards ending homelessness. The Open Door Shelter Executive Director, Jeannette Archer-Simons, is grateful for the partnership and support of our programs.

“We are honored to continue to have the support of Near and Far in our efforts to address the issues of poverty and homelessness. The all volunteer commitment to community service and support demonstrates the passion in the region for doing good worth through collective impact. We are deeply touched by these every day individuals who make giving a part of their lives.” Archer-Simons said.

About Open Door Shelter:

Our mission is to effectively address the causes and complexities of the homeless and working poor by providing shelter, food, clothing, case management services, treatment services, transitional planning for short and long term goals, subsidized housing, education, employment, and a path towards independence and success.

We provide shelter nightly with over 95 beds in our facility located at 4 Merritt St. From this same facility we operate the Manna House kitchen and pantry. We serve meals three times a day (over 20,000 per month) and provide boxed and canned goods to the working poor to help them make ends meet. Between the kitchen and the pantry, we provide approximately 60,000 meals per month to individuals and families in our community.

We also operate a number of private residences, providing supportive housing to those who are working and earning an income, but unable to afford housing in the area.

The shelter operates primarily from private donations, with less than 40% of our operating budget coming from government funding. 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to providing food, shelter and assistance to those in need. Our board is comprised entirely of uncompensated volunteers.