Since January, our team has answered a record-breaking number of emergency requests. We answered an urgent call from Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program within 4 hours, sending winter coats, fleece layers, hats, and gloves to protect 150 patients from the arctic air blast in Boston’s cold emergency. Read more February 2023 news from Circle of Hope.
Circle of Hope's Emergency Response to Life-Threatening Temperatures
Mayor Michelle Wu declared a “cold emergency” for Boston from Friday, February 3 through Saturday, February 4. The wind chill this weekend is predicted to drop as low as -27 degrees Fahrenheit. These frigid temperatures put everyone at risk, but can be especially life-threatening for people experiencing homelessness.
Late in the afternoon on Thursday, February 2, Circle of Hope received an urgent call for coats from Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). They were very worried about their patients as the coldest days approached.
The Circle of Hope team had left for the day, but knowing the urgency of this request, Director of Operations Jody Barnet jumped into her car and drove directly back to Circle of Hope with her daughter. Together, the two filled bags with 150 brand new winter coats, hats, thermals, gloves, and blankets. Shortly after, BHCHP Director of Development Linda O’Connor picked up the winter essentials and immediately begin giving them to patients in deepest need. Linda wrote:
“I can’t thank you and the COH team enough for coming to our rescue tonight! You won’t believe this, but when I saw the big beautiful bags near the back door with the “light on” just waiting to be picked up, I got choked up. For you and the volunteers to pull this amazing donation together means the world to us, and especially to our patients.”
Circle of Hope responds to all emergency requests within 24-48 hours, but this was our fastest yet, taking just a few hours. We were prepared to spring into action to respond to this crisis because of our generous and compassionate donors. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the companies, community groups, families, and individuals who have donated warm coats and accessories this winter. Your generosity is protecting the lives of more than 150 our most vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness during these extreme temperatures.
Your Gift Helps Families in Crisis
Dear Friends,
Family homelessness is on the rise in Massachusetts and many family shelters Circle of Hope serves are beyond capacity.
This year, we expanded our Emergency Response Program to meet the increasing needs of families in crisis. We also launched a new pilot partnership with Framingham High School to help students experiencing homelessness and began serving families in scattered site shelters across MetroWest.
Your generosity made it possible for us to help more people than ever before.
When a high school student and his mother narrowly escaped a house fire, you helped them recover by replacing their lost clothing and shoes. You gave a 22-year-old woman the clothing and hygiene essentials she needed to care for her three younger siblings. You provided warm clothing and coats to 35 families facing their first New England winter. You supported the physical and mental health of a grandmother and her six grandchildren by providing clothing in the correct sizes for the entire family.
Together, we can continue answering every urgent call for help. Please donate by December 31, 2022 to help thousands of families and individuals stay warm, healthy, and safe this year. Your gift will comfort someone experiencing trauma right now.
Thank you for your generous support!
Most gratefully,
Barbara Waterhouse
Founder, Executive Director
November 2019 News from Circle of Hope
Our November newsletter is out and it’s full of great news! Click here to read about our move to Needham Center happening next week, our Annual Campaign launching this month, a recent emergency response at Circle of Hope, an exciting new grant, and more!
