Pacific House Raises $300,000 At 21st Annual Pacific House Celebration

Pacific House, a leader in ending homelessness in Fairfield County, hosted its 21st Annual Pacific House Celebration at the Residence Inn by Marriott Stamford Downtown on Thursday, October 20.  The event, which was also streamed live for at-home supporters, raised more than $300,000 to support the life-changing services the organization provides.

Based in Stamford, CT, with a mission of preventing and ending homelessness, the organization operates an emergency shelter for men and young adults as well as fourteen permanent supportive houses which provide housing for 140 formerly homeless individuals and families in Stamford and Norwalk.

During the pandemic, the organization took precautions to relocate emergency shelter clients to hotels to maintain social distancing protocols, and expanded its service footprint to include Danbury, where it serves an additional 100 clients.

“Our focus has shifted from being a homeless shelter to a housing first philosophy, and with that in mind, we are acquiring more and more sites to provide more permanent supportive housing for our clients,” said Bill Montana, Pacific House Board Chair.

At the event, Pacific House community partners were honored for their assistance during the past year.

Kenneth G. Tropin received the Pacific House Leadership Award. Tropin has supported Pacific House since 2004 through generous donations, as well as funding a Pacific House residential home in Stamford.

“It’s an important moment in time with the challenges in the economy. The services that Pacific House provides are enormously impactful, and frankly, essential. It gives me great confidence to know how good the leadership is and how effective they are at what they do,” said Tropin.

Food Rescue, Fairfield County received the Pacific House Making A Difference Award for its long-standing support of meal contributions, and most especially for its assistance throughout the pandemic.

"We are deeply grateful for everyone’s support,” said Rafael Pagan, Jr., Executive Director of Pacific House.  “Essential funds raised this evening will allow Pacific House to continue to be an integral part of a safety net for Fairfield County.”

Pacific House would like to thank the event’s sponsors, including Title Sponsor: Kenneth G. Tropin; Platinum Sponsors: Marie and Justin Maccarone, the Ohnell Family Foundation, Olympus Partners, Lauren and Chris Tate, and Sharon Tate; Gold Sponsors: Angelica and Ed Cantlon, First County Bank, Fred and Joan Weisman Fund, Laurie and Rafael Pagan, Jr., Stamford Health, Tradition Energy, Webster Bank, N.A., and two anonymous Pacific House board members; Silver Sponsors: A. Emerson Construction, Boni Construction, Capitol Hill Group, Connecticut Housing Partners’ Real Estate Masters, Connecticut Community Bank, Jim Duffy, Finn Family Foundation, Sarita and Gregory Hanley, Hinckley Allen, Eileen and Tom Hynes, Nielsen's Florist & Garden Shop, Bob Phillips, Pitney Bowes and Jinny and Bob Rimmer; and Media Sponsor: Stamford Magazine/Moffly Media.