Workplace Giving

Help end homelessness in Connecticut through Workplace Giving

Hi, my name is Charisse Hutton and I work for Support Enforcement Services, Court Operations Division. SES is the Judicial Branch’s child support enforcement agency. Long before I became the director of SES, I began volunteering with Columbus House, a homelessness and housing solutions organization based in New Haven. I prepared and served meals for the guests in the main emergency shelter. (I’m wearing a hair net in the photo!) I also helped my local church host twelve homeless men for a week during the winter months, practicing radical hospitality as part of the Abraham’s Tent Program. And, for the past six years I have served on the Board of Directors, helping set policy, doing strategic planning and fundraising for Columbus House.

Why do I volunteer? And why do I give generously to Columbus House? Because I believe housing is a human right, and I want to help it become a reality for the 13,000 plus people in CT who are homeless. Columbus House has over 35 years of providing permanent housing, case management and emergency shelter to individuals and families in the New Haven area, Middletown, Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury and New London. Columbus House even operates a medical respite program for homeless persons who have nowhere to go when they are discharged from the hospital. Not only does Columbus House provide direct services, but it is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to end homelessness, starting with veterans and other chronically homeless people. In short, Columbus House gives people hope and helps foster independence. 

A few years ago one of the homeless guests participating in Abraham’s Tent was a talented artist. After dinner he shared his sketches and paintings with me. Imagine my delight a year later when I learned that he had a show at a local art gallery. Often “the homeless” have no name and no face. Supporting Columbus House has given me lots of names and their personal stories to demonstrate that compassionate and professional services and case management can help people get and keep a home.

How to give through Workplace Giving

Are you a State employee?

You can make a donation to Columbus House through the CT State Employees Campaign for Charitable Giving by using #5749 on your pledge form. Learn more here.

Are you a Federal or Military employee?

You can make a donation to Columbus House through the Combined Federal Campaign by using #99082 on your pledge form. Learn more here.

Does your employer have a United Way Campaign or its own workplace giving campaign?

Ask your employer if they have a United Way Campaign, or other workplace giving campaign, and make "Columbus House" your charity of choice. Learn more about United Way's Workplace Giving Campaign here.