Homes with Hope has had quite a year.
When COVID struck, Westport’s supportive housing organization moved all their residents from the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place to a hotel. Now they’re back “home.”
Last week, they launched a new website.
Now they’re gearing up for their biggest annual fundraiser, “Stand Up (at Home) for Homes With Hope.”
“it’s time to start laughing again,” HwH says. And they’ll make sure you do. The virtual comedy show streams on June 12 (8 p.m.).
It’s tough to top last year’s event. But they will. The headliner is American Comedy Award winner Kathleen Madigan. She’s joined by Pat McGann (creator and host of The Chicago Stand-Up Project), Ali Siddiq (finalist on NBC’s “Bring the Funny”) and Westport’s own Courtney Davis (“Courting with Courtney”).
Local personalities will make guest appearances. Click here for tickets and sponsorship information. (Limited seats are available for the Westport Library that night. There’s a pre-show cocktail event, with live music by Staples High School and Netflix “Country Comfort” star Jamie Mann.)
Funds raised will support emergency shelters and meals, supportive housing, a food pantry, programs for teenage girls and younger children — and unexpected expenses.
For example, when residents were moved to a hotel during COVID, restaurants provided meals. That was a big — and surprise — cost.
HwH CEO Helen McAlinden says, “We could not have gotten through the past year, and kept all our guests safe, without our supporters. Now that guests are back at the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place (across from the police station), we are glad to see our volunteers back, bringing wonderful food.”
Homes with Hope volunteers, before the pandemic. They’ll soon be back, cooking and serving food.
The new website, meanwhile, was created by Randy Herbertson and Westport’s The Visual Brand. It features recent stories of residents’ successes, and updated information on Homes with Hopes’ housing, food, mentoring and youth programs.
(To donate individually packed lunches or dinners, or for more volunteer opportunities, email mliebergall@hwhct.org.)
