The Covenant Shelter was founded as a compact between St. Mary's Star of The Sea Roman Catholic and St. James Episcopal Churches in 1983. Today, volunteers from both churches still provide regular support for the Shelter by conducting food drives, birthday parties for the children, quilts for the beds, food donations and monetary donations. The Shelter houses up to 14 single men, 3 single women and 5 single-parent families with children and provides meals, case management and other support services to promote healing, recovery, and self-sufficiency. Covenent Shelter welcomes residents from all paths and does not require any particular religious affiliation or participation by any of the residents or staff members.
St. James has had a long history of ministry with the homeless and this includes hosting the New London Homeless Hospitality Center in Seabury Center from its founding in 2007 until HHC found a new permanent location on State Pier Rd. St. James now provides HHC Board leadership and volunteers who serve the homeless.
The causes and conditions of homelessness are myriad, and our responses to it cannot be simple. Many are faced with daunting life problems with few or no resources. A few freely choose to live an outdoor lifestyle. It is not necessarily a problem that has to be "solved" for an individual, but many need our help to survive, especially during the cold season.
Learn more about Homelessness in Southeast Connecticut:
Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness
