UU Stamford is dedicated to working alongside community partners to address the homelessness crisis in Connecticut and provide support for the unhoused. We support Pacific House, an organization which seeks to end homelessness through providing emergency and affordable, supportive housing to those in need. UUC has provided direct support to Pacific House’s emergency shelter for  men and young adults. UUC congregants have volunteered for Pacific House’s meal-a-month program, cooking dinner for over 70 guests. Our Basket of Hope is set up in the community room to collect donations of personal items for those transitioning from the shelter into more permanent housing on an ongoing basis, with special drives at times throughout the year. UUC also supports the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness by responding to various calls to action. We have hosted letter-writing campaigns to support the funding of the CT Homeless Response System and to support the passing of HB 6554, which would increase the funding for homeless response organizations. 

Our commitment to support the unhoused in Connecticut has a long history. in 2000 the congregation made the decision to convert its former parish house into the Metcalf House – ten units of permanent supportive housing for low-income residents. The Metcalf House opened its doors on April 11, 2000 and was, at the time, the only small affordable transitional housing for formerly homeless individuals in downtown Stamford. This housing continues to be run by Inspirica to this day.

Our Social Justice Team meets on the third Sunday of every month, after worship. To find out more about our housing work and to get connected, contact Bob Nixon!

Jenn Broadbin, Business Development Manager at Pacific House, speaks at a UUC worship service dedicated to promoting housing initiatives