After 7 months of renovations, clients are moving back into the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place — Westport’s men’s and women’s shelters on Jesup Road respectively.
On Friday and Saturday, Homes with Hope — the non-profit agency that oversees our town’s responses to homelessness and food insecurity — welcomed hundreds of Westporters for tours.
Representatives showed off the new bedrooms and beds; bathrooms (including handicap-accessible), full-service kitchen, meeting rooms (with one for local organizations to use), freezer, food pantry with toiletries, and more.
Westport’s homeless shelter celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. From its beginning in the old Vigilant Firehouse (now OKO restaurant), it has grown into a full-service shelter.
Homelessness remains a major national problem. In Westport — just a few yards from Tiffany and the police station — it continues to be addressed, forthrightly, generously, and compassionately.
Both the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place are now accessible through the same door.
New beds, and more room, in the men’s shelter.
A small part of the newly expanded pantry.
Meeting room, where clients can gain assistance for employment and related issues.
From left: Homes with Hope president and CEO Helen McAlinden; director of marketing and development Katharine Murray; vice president and COO Paris Looney. (All photos/Dave Matlow)
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Westport firefighters responded to a vehicle fire at 7:18 last night, at a Sturges Highway home.
They minimized the spread, limiting it to the garage exterior. There were no reported injuries, and the incident is being investigated by the Westport Fire Marshal’s office.
Norwalk and Wilton fire departments provided mutual aid station coverage. The Fairfield fire department responded to the scene as a rapid intervention team.
Westport firefighters were assisted by the Westport Police Department and Westport Emergency Medical Service. The last unit cleared at 10:01 p.m.
The aftermath of last night’s blaze. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)
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Once upon a time, coyotes roamed this land.
Now they’re back. This one — today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject — was spotted last week on Timber Lane.
(Photo/Celia Campbell-Mohn)
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And finally … Wayne Osmond — one of the lesser known members of the eponymous 1970s pop group — died Wednesday in Salt Lake City, after complications of a stroke. He was 73.
Click here for a full obituary.
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Any info as to whether this was an EV or ICE vehicle?
WoW- I visited the Gillespie Center re-do. This is really something to be very proud of. The design is brilliant, the execution smashing. The explanation of the extensive services is something everyone should go to see & hear.
Thank you Helen, Paris, and Katherine.
Coyotes aren’t native to Connecticut.