Shelter for Families

The voices of infants, children and teens have been daily part of the sounds and life at 50 Nichols Street since 1995. Our Shelter for Families provides a safe, healing environment for two homeless families at a time. Each family has use of a private efficiency style unit, with bunk beds, small kitchenette and bathroom.

Annually, Operation Hope shelters more than 10 families, including 20 children. Our small space does not come close to accommodating the need for shelter among families in the Greater Bridgeport area. In fact, locally and nationally, families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. The Shelter is virtually always at capacity with others waiting for a unit to become available.

In addition to a safe, warm place to stay, the Shelter program also provides three meals a day, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, and social contact. Our Shelter guests have access to phones, health screening, computer training, transportation assistance and other services to meet their basic needs. Most of the families who stay with us participate in our Readiness Project, an intense, comprehensive support program geared to help them address the root causes of their homelessness, and to achieve increased stability and self-reliance.

Most of the families are single-female-headed households, with one or two young children. Many of the women who stay at the Shelter struggle with addictions (80%) and mental health disorders (50%). Often, both types of disorders are present, along with physical disabilities and neglected health conditions. This makes recovery and stability even more difficult. Many of the women we serve are survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Children also have special needs, including difficulties in school and emotional disorders. Some of the other areas of concern among these families are: insufficient income/employment and education, estranged personal relationships, parenting, legal problems, debt, and basic living skills deficits.

Operation Hope helps each guest identify their needs and goals, and then supports them in taking steps to achieve their individual potential. Each year 100% of our guests in the Shelter for Families move on to permanent and transitional housing.