Our COVID-19 Response

 

 

April 2022 Hotel & Housing Update

 

On April 1, our New Haven Emergency and Men’s Seasonal Overflow Shelters resumed operations at the Boulevard locations after almost two years operating out of local hotels. We are currently operating at full capacity with 81 people at our Main Shelter and had an additional 30 men at the Overflow Shelter which just closed for the season on April 25. Another 47 of our neighbors remain at the hotel until the end of the month. These clients are “housing ready” – meaning they have all the requirements to rent an affordable apartment and are just waiting for units to become available.

 

All guests continue to receive vital services to help them transition out of homelessness as we continue to move hundreds of our neighbors into affordable homes. Your ongoing support makes an impact on those we serve, and we are grateful for your partnership.

 

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February 2022 Hotel & Housing Update

 

Since April 2020, people from our New Haven shelters were moved to local hotels because of the pandemic. With the FEMA funding for those rooms scheduled to end on March 31, services at the hotel will also end. Staff is feverishly matching eligible clients with a very limited supply of affordable housing. 92 men and women will return to our New Haven shelters. Upgrades to the heating and ventilation systems have been made and capacity has been reduced to ensure distancing and to keep everyone safe.


Kent Pierce of WTNH talked to Columbus House clients and Margaret Middleton, CEO, about the end of the emergency pandemic funding. Watch the story on NEWS8:"Homeless shelters scrambling as emergency funding dwindles."

 

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December 2021 Hotel & Housing Update

 

Seasonal Winter Shelters and Warming Centers are open! The Men's Seasonal Overflow Shelter is operating out of the same hotel as our Main Shelter – we are serving over 230 people nightly in New Haven alone. There are also 34 beds at the hotel in Middletown to accommodate those from the Wallingford Emergency Shelter and Middletown Warming Center.

 

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October 2021 Hotel & Housing Update

 

Columbus House shelter clients will remain in area hotels until at least mid-February as the Governor’s health emergency powers have been extended until February 15, 2022. The extension means Connecticut continues to be eligible for FEMA funding which covers the hotel costs. With the expiration of the eviction moratorium, the winter weather approaching, and no end to the pandemic in sight, the hotels provide a safe option for our neighbors as we continue to help them secure affordable housing. The solution to homelessness is housing, and thanks to your support, we have moved hundreds of people into a place of their own this year.

 

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8/30/21
587 Housed!

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From deliveries of food and basic necessities to beautifying our sites with plant and vegetable gardens, your care of and generosity to our neighbors is unyielding. Because of you, 587 households – including 164 Veteran households – moved into permanent housing since March 2020. As we turn towards fall, we are comforted knowing that your compassion and dedication will continue to make a difference for every person we serve. Together we are mighty, and without you, our work of helping people find their way home would not be possible. We are deeply grateful for you. Thank you!

 

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6/28/21
545 Housed!

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Because of you, 545 households – including 153 Veteran households – moved into permanent housing since March 2020. While working on their housing plan, you provided them with basic necessities like food, water, socks, toiletries, gift cards, and so much more. When they moved into their own apartments, you gave them Welcome Kits full of items to help them on their path to independence. Without you, our work is not possible. Without you, those experiencing homelessness might not find their way home. Your compassion and dedication makes each day brighter for every person we serve. Please accept our deepest gratitude for your efforts! Thank you!

 

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5/3/21
Over 500 Housed!

 

Watch a Thank You Message from Margaret Middleton, CEO (4/19/21)

 

Thanks to your continuing support, over 500 households moved into affordable apartments – including 142 Veteran households – since March 2020. We are still operating out of the hotel in New Haven, providing up to 120 clients with shelter and services. The Seasonal Shelters and Warming Centers have closed, however we have the capacity to serve more clients at the hotel than we can accommodate in our New Haven Shelter.

 

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3/5/21
Over 450 Housed!

 

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The momentum of moving people out of homelessness and into safe, affordable homes continues at an unprecedented rate. Thanks to your continuing support, Columbus House helped over 450 households gain permanent housing since last March – over 40 just last month. Our Outreach & Engagement teams have been actively connecting with those living outside, quite literally saving their lives during the recent winter storms with the supplies you donated. Over 200 of our most vulnerable neighbors staying at hotels and warming centers in New Haven and Middlesex counties are provided with vital programs, basic necessities and nutritious meals thanks to your dedication and support. Spring is on its way, but for those who are experiencing homelessness each relentless day is an experience in survival.We are so grateful to have you by our side.

 

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12/16/20
400 Housed!

 

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Just a few of the hundreds of weekly meals – most made with food and funds you donate – prepared by our kitchen staff of two.

 

Your continuing support keeps our neighbors safe from COVID-19 and the cold weather. Almost 400 households have moved into affordable apartments since mid-March. Those staying in the New Haven shelter moved back to the hotels, and we were able to attain additional beds to keep up to 152 clients safe – close to the same number of people we usually serve during the harsh winters in New Haven. The Wallingford Emergency Shelter (WES) for single adults and the Middletown Warming Center (MWC) are operating at The Wesley Inn & Suites in Middletown, with room for eight WES and 25 MWC clients. Meals and case management services are being provided. Because of you, they are safe not only from the virus but are also safe from the dangerous storm expected to hit CT tonight. Thank you for making an impact on those experiencing homelessness.


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11/25/20
Over 350 Housed!

 

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Pictured are just a couple of the many wonderful Thanksgiving donations from our supporters - our heartfelt thanks to all who are helping those we serve have a brighter holiday!


A Message of Thanks from Margaret Middleton, Columbus House CEO

Thanksgiving is upon us and like you, my family and I are preparing for a drastically altered holiday this year. No large family get-together or visiting relatives. We will limit our celebration to just our immediate family (though we will not limit the quantity of pie).

While the celebration will look different, this year more than any other I feel deep gratitude for things easily taken for granted: a warm, safe home, work with purpose, and a healthy family.

This year I feel a huge swell of gratitude for the incredible Columbus House staff who selflessly come to work each day, despite the risks, in order to care for those in need. Since the first day of this pandemic, the team at Columbus House have been courageous, they have been creative, they have been compassionate. They are my heroes.

I am especially thankful to you. Without your generosity, compassion and concern throughout this difficult time, our doors surely would have closed. Hundreds more of our neighbors experiencing homelessness would be outdoors – hungry, frightened and alone. Imagine if you had to confront this pandemic with the unthinkable crisis of not having a home to retreat to. Hundreds of our neighbors face this every night.

Because of your support, over 350 households are thankful to be in a safe, affordable home in time for Thanksgiving.

With the increase in positive cases throughout the state, we moved those staying in the shelter back to the hotels to keep them safe. Next week, we are grateful to be able to add additional space in the hotel – as many as 120 more beds – so that those still outdoors will have a safe space to retreat from the harsh New England winter. We will never stop until we end homelessness. You make our mission possible.

Thanksgiving is the beginning of the holiday season: a time of reflection, of gratitude and a time of sharing with others. Thank you for sharing with Columbus House so that together, we can help those who are in such desperate need.

With gratitude,
Margaret

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10/16/20
Over 300 Housed!

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Thanks to your support, since March 15, Columbus House has moved over 300 households – including 89 Veterans – into their very own apartments. The New Haven Shelter has reopened with reduced capacity and guest areas have been altered for social distancing. We encourage those staying with us to remain indoors for everyone’s safety. Three meals per day are now provided as well as bi-weekly COVID-19 testing in addition to our robust array of programs and services to help get them on the path to independence. We couldn't accomplish this life-saving work without your partnership. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your continuing commitment to help, one day, end homelessness.
 
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9/11/20
285 Housed!

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Dear Friends of Columbus House,

Safe, affordable, permanent housing is the best way to protect our clients from COVID-19. Thanks to your support, since March 15, Columbus House has moved 259 285 households (updated 9/11/20) people into their very own apartments – many for the first time! With hotel contracts in New Haven and Meriden extended through September, we are making tremendous progress in keeping our neighbors safe. Your continued support makes these successes possible.
 

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7/28/20
Over 230 Housed!

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Dear Friends of Columbus House,

Thank you for your continuing support in keeping those we serve safe during COVID-19. Our clients were scheduled to come back to the shelter at the end of the month, but thankfully contracts with the hotels in New Haven and Meriden have been extended through the end of September. We will start transitioning a small number of our neighbors to the New Haven Shelter at the end of August, allowing for continued social distancing while adhering to CDC guidelines. Additionally – and thanks to your unyielding support – our momentum getting people into their own homes persists. Since March 15 over 230 households have moved into permanent homes!

We will continue to update you as we make strides in ending homelessness during the pandemic. Thank you for making a difference.

 

Photos: Just a few of our wonderful supporters who collected and delivered items from our Wish List in July! Left-right, top-bottom: Libby Dunn & father Derek, Jennifer Just, Greg & his son Michael Coyne, Aishah Brice & Jesseri Estrada of New Haven YMCA, and Alissa Davis of Hopkins School.

 

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7/9/20
Over 170 Housed!

 

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Dear Friends of Columbus House,

 

Several months have passed since the pandemic entered our world – but thanks to your enduring support, clients and staff remain safe. Together, we’re making tremendous progress moving those experiencing homelessness into permanent homes. Since March 15, we have helped over 170 households into aparments! Thankfully, an extension has been granted for clients staying safely in hotels – they are now scheduled to return to our New Haven Shelter July 31 instead of June 30. At our sites, precautions such as signs for social distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and maintaining a 50% capacity (or less) are just a few of the ways we are protecting the health of our clients and staff. Our protocols in dealing with the virus are flexible so we can continue to make progress despite the virus’s impact. As we continue to work with our partners to protect our neighbors, we will keep you updated.

 

Photo: Columbus House Case Manager Katie takes a selfie with Amanda, who moved from a hotel to an apartment during the pandemic. Watch for Amanda's story in our upcoming summer newsletter.


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5/22/20
Over 125 Housed!

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Dear Friends of Columbus House,

Your continuing support has resulted in 127 people who were experiencing homelessness, including 25 Veterans, move into their own apartment since March 15. This incredible feat could not have been accomplished without your willingness to be part of the solution to ending homelessness. Thank you!

Because of you, life-saving shelter and services are available to those we serve, and those living on the streets are getting connected to innovative programs designed to end homelessness. In spite of the pandemic, vital services continue for the most vulnerable – all while adhering to CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of those in need as well those providing services.

Your commitment is critical. Thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Please stay safe, and watch for additional updates.

 

Photos: Among our many wonderful supporters providing donations for those moving out of homelessness, Megan Leubner (left) of the Netter Community Collaborative drops off necessities including air mattresses, and Mary Pursell (right) of Linens of Love brings stacks of new sheet sets (center).

 

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4/9/20

"We're not out of the woods yet!"

 

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Dear friends of Columbus House,

Thank you for your incredible support over the past couple of weeks!

You have contributed financial support, desperately needed masks, face shields and other PPE. You have contributed hand sanitizer and non-perishable food items. You have donated toiletries and other items needed as we hastily moved people out of the shelters and into permanent housing. (Since March 20, we have successfully placed 44 people into permanent, affordable housing.) You shuttled donations, delivered food and contributed gift cards so we could purchase meals after we told you we had to suspend all volunteer activity to ensure a safe environment for those we serve. Your response to our appeals for help has been nothing short of extraordinary!

As of Monday morning, we successfully moved the remainder of our Wallingford Emergency Shelter and Middletown Warming Center clients, a total of about 34 people, from the shelters to a local hotel. Case management and residential support will continue, around the clock, at the hotel. It was a monumental task that has never been done before. Through a collaboration with city and state officials, partner agencies and our dedicated staff, we have successfully provided appropriate social distancing in order to keep everyone safe.

But, we’re not out of the woods yet! We are still in desperate need of PPE. We are using masks, shields and gloves as quickly as they are being made and donated. Our supply remains critically low. We also need basic necessities for those who have moved into housing and for those who have moved to the hotels.

Please consider helping in the following ways:

  • First and foremost, please consider an additional financial contribution to help offset lost fundraising revenue and to help cover unbudgeted costs including additional staff, food and supplies
  • Donate (or make) masks, gloves, surgical gowns and other PPE to keep our clients and staff safe from the virus
  • Check our COVID-19 Wish List for those items most needed right now.

If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheree DiMario at sdimario@columbushouse.org or 203-401-4400 x138.

Thank you so much for your overwhelming support as we strive to keep everyone at Columbus House safe during this global health crisis. It is my sincere hope that you and your family remain safe.

Respectfully,
Cindy Fox
Interim CEO


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4/3/20

"Last Shelter Clients Moved to Local Hotel"

 

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Dear friends of Columbus House,

It is my sincere hope that you and your family are healthy and safe and are continuing to keep your distance during the pandemic. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who this terrible virus has afflicted.

Your generosity through continued financial and in-kind support along with your words of encouragement for our unsung heroes who come to work every day to ensure that all who come through our doors remain safe is a constant source of inspiration. It means the world to all of us! I can’t thank you enough!

As you know, over the last two-plus weeks, we have worked diligently with city and state officials along with numerous partner agencies to ensure that we move every person out of our shelters and into hotels so that we can maintain safe distancing to reduce the chance of those we serve contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to others in the shelter. I’m thrilled to report that today, the last of our New Haven shelter clients have been safely transported to a local hotel. 58 additional people are now safely situated in a hotel and will no longer have to worry about being crowded into the shelter where it was almost impossible, despite everyone’s best efforts, to practice effective social distancing. I am also extremely proud to report that, to date, not one of our New Haven shelter guests has contracted the virus!

This could not have been accomplished without your generous support and the tireless work of our dedicated staff. Our staff, despite the inherent risks to their own health and wellbeing, are here every day making sure those we serve have what they need. We will continue to provide case management and residential services to all at the hotel.

Work continues to relocate everyone out of the Wallingford Emergency Shelter and the Middletown Warming Center. A local hotel has been secured and details are being worked out between state and hotel officials and we hope to have this group moved by early next week.

The day-to-day operations will look quite different for the next several weeks (or months) but our commitment to move people out of homelessness and into housing will not waver.

How can you help?

  • First and foremost, please consider an additional financial contribution to help offset lost fundraising revenue and to help cover unbudgeted costs including additional staff, food and supplies
  • Donate masks, gloves, surgical gowns and other PPE to reduce the spread of the virus
  • Check our COVID-19 Wish List for those items most needed right now.
  • Volunteer to make pick-ups and deliveries to those who need food and supplies (Contact Sheree for details)

If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheree DiMario at sdimario@columbushouse.org or 203-401-4400 x138.

I believe that, together, as a community, we will get through this crisis. Thank you for your commitment to helping keep those we serve safe.

 

Thank you,
Cindy Fox
Interim CEO


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3/27/20

"We are in a race to save lives."

 

Dear friends of Columbus House,

First, it is my sincere hope that you and your family remain safe during this unprecedented public health crisis. Additionally, I want to thank you for your words of support for our staff, your generous financial contributions to cover our increased costs and for your donations of desperately needed supplies.

I am inspired every day by your generosity and your willingness to help those who are in such desperate need even as you deal with your own hardships at home. We can’t thank you enough for your concern and partnership.

It has been over 2 weeks since the Governor has declared a Public Health Emergency in Connecticut. Since that time, we continue to do everything in our power to protect the health and wellbeing of all who come through our doors seeking shelter and hope.

It has not been easy. With so many people in our care every night, it is a daunting task. Our staff, despite the inherent risks to their own health and wellbeing, are here every day making sure those we serve have what they need. We have worked with our municipal, state, federal and community partners to empty the shelters and thereby reduce the risks of having so many together in one space. We are slowly succeeding.

As of March 13, we have accomplished the following as it relates to relocating people to a safer space:

  • We have moved 58 people out of our shelters and into safer locations
  • 20 have been housed
  • 28 have been relocated to one of two area hotels
  • 10 have moved out with friends, family or to some other positive situation

While this has been an impressive fete, we still must move another 116 people to safer quarters in the next several days in order to mitigate the risk of someone getting sick and spreading the illness throughout the shelter to clients and staff.

You’ve no doubt heard references made to PPE’s or Personal Protective Equipment. These are the masks, gowns and face shields health care professionals need to protect themselves and their patients from the spread of illness. We are in desperate need of this equipment as well and there remains a severe shortage. Our concern is that if the virus gets into the shelter before we can move people out, it will be a catastrophe. According to a report authorized by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, UCLA and Boston University, “people experiencing homelessness will be twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die as the general population.”

We are literally in a race to save lives right now.

How can you help?

  • First and foremost, please consider an additional financial contribution to help offset lost fundraising revenue and to help cover unbudgeted costs including additional staff, food and supplies
  • Donate gift cards to area grocery stores so we can purchase food
  • Order restaurant take-out or delivery to one of our sites (Contact Sheree for details)
  • Donate CT Transit bus passes
  • Donate masks, gloves, surgical gowns and other PPE to reduce the spread of the virus
  • Volunteer to make pick-ups and deliveries to those who need food and supplies (Contact Sheree for details)

If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheree DiMario at sdimario@columbushouse.org or 203-401-4400 x138.

I believe that, together, as a community, we will get through this crisis. Thank you for your commitment to helping keep those we serve safe.

 

Thank you,
Cindy Fox
Interim CEO


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3/20/20

 

To our friends:

We hope you and your family are staying safe and navigating this Pandemic that has besieged our country. As I’m sure you’ve heard repeatedly, this crisis is unprecedented.

As you can imagine, we are doing everything in our power to protect those we serve in each of our programs, but especially in the shelters and warming centers. Social distancing is a priority but with 100 people in one building and 75 in another, that is a challenge. We are working with every partner including DOH, DMHAS, the Cities of New Haven, Hamden, Middletown, the Governor’s office, Dept. of Public Health, Yale, Yale New Haven Health, and numerous others to come up with a plan to move people out of the shelter as quickly as possible and into a more appropriate, temporary arrangement. The city has contracted with a hotel to put up 24 of our shelter clients and we will continue to provide services for them at that location. Temporary, scattered site accommodations have also been identified for an additional 27 clients and we hope to have these first 51 moved out by Sunday.

We still have over 150 people who need to be moved out of our shelters. The search for a suitable options continues. We also serve several hundred formerly homeless people who are now in their own apartment and receive case management support. These folks are very vulnerable and were on the fringe even before the pandemic. We are giving them gift cards to purchase groceries, sending meals to them and providing continued support services to ensure they are safe.

Our technology capabilities are stretched to the limit as we try and protect our staff by setting them up to work at home – when possible. Many of us, including food service, facilities and program staff, continue to come into the office. The leadership team is coordinating activities to ensure everyone’s safety. We are incurring additional costs for extra cleaning supplies, protective equipment, additional staff time (we are staying open 24/7 now and asking clients not to leave during the day for their own protection), and doing everything in our power to not lose our dedicated, committed front-line staff who are scared to death but still come to work to serve our clients. Many of our administrative staff are rotating in and out to help the front-line staff.

In order to protect the health and safety of our clients and staff, we had to make the difficult decision to suspend all volunteer-led meal service and restrict volunteers and visitors from entering any of our buildings. While some continue to contribute funds to purchase the meal and some are still sending the food so that our staff can prepare it, we suffered a huge financial blow.

We’ve had to cancel 3 fundraising events which will cost us close to $50,000 in lost revenue and we have no idea what the impact will be with so many of our donors out of work and with the stock market in a tail-spin. We’ve never experienced anything of this scale and magnitude in our lifetime.

How can you help?

  • First and foremost, you could make a desperately needed financial contribution to help offset lost fundraising revenue and to help cover unbudgeted expenses
  • Donate gift cards to area grocery stores so we can purchase food
  • Order restaurant take-out or delivery to one of our sites (Contact Sheree for details)
  • Create cleaning kits for those in supportive housing
  • Donate CT Transit bus passes
  • Volunteer to make pick-ups and deliveries to those who need food and supplies (Contact Sheree for details)

If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sheree DiMario at sdimario@columbushouse.org or 203-401-4400 x138.

Our number one priority is to safely get all of those we serve through this crisis. That will not happen without your commitment to help.

Thank you,
Cindy Fox
Interim CEO

 

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