Homes with Hope is aptly named.
For over 40 years, the non-profit has offered shelter to unhoused men and women, and provided meals and a food pantry to ease hunger. They run supportive housing programs too, along with support services, youth programs and mentoring.
They’ve done it all quietly but consistently, efficiently and eagerly. Homes with Hope is an integral part of Westport — with thousands of individuals and families contributing funding, food and time — and its flagship Gillespie Center is in the heart of downtown (just around the corner from Tiffany).
The Gillespie Center for men, and Hoskins Place for women.
Yet many Westporters don’t even know it exists.
The other day, the organization released its annual report. It tells the story of 2,195 households impacted over the past year. For example:
- 1,090 households relied on the food pantry at the Gillespie Center for groceries, fresh produce and essentials.
- 427 individuals met with HwH’s Diversion HUB in Norwalk, to find alternatives to homelessness before it started.
- 133 residents were housed, across our 71 supportive and affordable housing sites.
- 121 people took part in youth academic and personal growth programs.
- 83 individuals received short-term case management, to help them keep the housing they’d secured.
- 75 people found shelter and hot meals at the Gillespie Center, Hoskins Place, and DoDo & Jim’s Kitchen, open 365 days a year.
- The CT Basket Brigade, now managed by Homes with Hope, served 266 full Thanksgiving dinners to local families in need.
The annual report includes one story, epitomizing all that HwH does.
In 2022 Mariah, pregnant with her second child, fled an unsafe relationship with her toddler in tow. Within days, she was homeless. A shelter took her in, but she had 30 days to find something more permanent.
A call to 211 connected her to Homes with Hope. A diversion specialist helped cover her security deposit and processed the paperwork immediately. Mariah and her toddler had a home again.
By June 2025, with 3 of them sharing a studio, Mariah was approved for a 2-bedroom apartment. But the same barrier loomed: the deposit. She called Homes with Hope again.
“She flew into action, just like before,” Mariah said. “Paperwork sent, processed, approved. I could finally sleep.”
Mariah is a University of Connecticut graduate, working in corporate America.
“Life happens to people who do everything right,” she said. “Homes with Hope didn’t just provide housing assistance. They gave my children stability and gave me back my peace of mind. Twice.”
That’s just one of many success stories. To learn more — including how to volunteer, and donate — click here.
Homes with Hope’s food pantry offers fresh food, including meats, and household supplies.
