Nearly 80% of the people Circle of Hope serves struggle with a mental health disorder like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or substance use disorder, and the trauma of homelessness can exacerbate these conditions. Together with our network of community partners, Circle of Hope provides access to clothing and hygiene essentials, reducing the health inequities faced by people who are homeless.
FILLING GAPS IN SERVICES. Circle of Hope strategically partners with shelters, health centers, schools, and community programs where our donations are deeply needed and will fill a gap in wraparound services. Many of our partner programs provide trauma informed mental health services, case management, or social support programs, helping meet the specific mental healthcare needs of people experiencing homelessness. These programs rely on Circle of Hope to meet the basic clothing and hygiene needs of their patients, shelter guests and clients. The clothing and other essentials we provide give healthcare providers the opportunity to connect and establish a trusting rapport with patients.
Having basic needs like underwear, socks, shoes on hand that our patients need every day makes our jobs in case management easier. We know we can have something to offer our patients to engage them in care, build trust, make a tough day a little easier, and show that we are here to help.”
-Elyse Dalal-Asfha, Director of Case Management, BHCHP
REDUCING BARRIERS TO ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION. In order to access healthcare and other services, travel to and from school, work, and appointments, and go about their daily lives, the people we serve first need clean underwear, socks, seasonally appropriate clothing, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and other essentials. Families in our partner domestic violence shelters who fled abusive households wearing only pajamas literally cannot leave shelter until they get a new set of clothing. Basic necessities from Circle of Hope enable our clients to access essential services and participate fully and confidently in school, work, and daily life.
IMPROVING PHYSICAL HEALTH. Physical and mental health are directly linked and so many of the people we serve struggle with both. With feedback from our partner programs, we provide the exact items our clients need to maintain good overall health. Continuous communications with partners allows Circle of Hope to provide the exact clothing and hygiene items each client needs for health and dignity. For example, we provide new, white socks for all patients at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless to keep wounds clean and free of dye, which is especially important given the high incidence of diabetes and foot infections.
“These items make a difference, bringing comfort, dignity, and seasonal warmth. Your donated items are truly priceless and life-saving.”
-Clinician, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
We support menstrual health and hygiene and help reduce the risk of infections by providing our clients with period products and new underwear. The toothpaste and toothbrushes we provide support the oral health of people experiencing homelessness who are more susceptible to periodontal diseases. The college students we serve rely on Circle of Hope for sheets and blankets so they can get adequate sleep for mental and physical health.
“The sleepless nights made it difficult to focus in classes, but I couldn’t afford bedding.”
-UMass Boston student who received a Get Set package from Circle of Hope
CREATING COMMUNITY. Our partners and clients tell us Circle of Hope’s donations also play a vital role in building a sense of community and belonging. One Circle of Hope client described joining together with the other mothers in the common area of Project Hope Family Shelter to open bags of clothing from Circle of Hope.
“Donations that night helped me and the other mothers and children come together. That night was special because I had not been there long and some of the other families and I hadn’t really spent time together but we did on that night. That night Circle of Hope shattered cultural boundaries and brought us together… and we bonded…and it felt good. Some long-time relationships were created that night.”
-Camille, Former Project Hope Resident
Mark Goldschmidt, Resiliency for Life Program Coordinator at Framingham High School, shared that many of his students have gone through tremendous hardships and trauma. Receiving new clothing and hygiene essentials from Circle of Hope reaffirms their sense of community and faith in others.
“For these same students to get the clothes and toiletries that they desperately need while also experiencing kindness and generosity towards strangers restores some of their faith in humanity and in their sense of control over their own future.”
-Mark Goldschmidt, Resiliency for Life Program Coordinator, Framingham High School
We are proud to support the mental and physical health of thousands of children and adults experiencing homelessness in Boston and MetroWest every year.
