Why Donate?
Supporting Project HOPE’s Capital Campaign and Annual Appeal
Project HOPE of Eastern Connecticut has come a long way from its beginnings as the Windham No Freeze Project. What started as a seasonal cold-weather shelter has grown into a year-round, comprehensive housing and homeless services organization. Today, we offer ADA-compliant emergency shelter, prevention programs, community outreach, and housing assistance to some of our region’s most vulnerable people.
The support of our community, the dedication of our staff, and funding from partners like the Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH) have made this transformation possible. With state support, we’ve acquired a permanent home for our shelter at 433 Valley Street and a neighboring property for our administrative offices—giving our organization and our clients stability and space we’ve never experienced.
With transformation comes increased responsibility.
Our annual operating budget has grown to allow all-day, year-round services and to meet increasing demand from people at-risk of homelessness. We are proud to have secured a CT DOH contract that funds approximately six months of shelter operations. We continue to rely on community support to fund our shelter for the remainder of the year, as well as critical service programs. We’re also still working to raise the final $250,000 needed to complete renovations to both buildings.
As housing costs, food prices, and utility bills rise, more people in eastern Connecticut are facing the threat of homelessness. Your contribution—no matter how much—makes a meaningful difference. It enables us to meet people where they are, whether it’s helping someone living outdoors access vital services, assisting a person in finding stable housing, or supporting those with disabilities who require alternatives to traditional shelters.
To donate, visit projecthopeect.org/giving or contact Development Director Meg Bard at meg@projecthopeect.org or Executive Director Avery Lenhart at avery@projecthopeect.org. Thank you for your commitment to ending homelessness in eastern Connecticut.