As the housing crisis worsened last year, Westport’s Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place — the downtown site with beds for 15 men and 4 women, respectively — closed.
The reason: much-needed renovations. Homes with Hope — the non-profit that for 40 years has housed the homeless, provided meals and a food pantry for the hungry, and offered other supportive services — moved its residents into Linxweiler House (on the Post Road between McDonald’s and Fresh Market), and other shelters.
HwH is a ray of hope for unhoused people — and the working poor, who also face difficulties finding a place to live. CEO Helen McAlinden says a person must earn $42.50 an hour to afford a studio apartment in Fairfield County. Many Homes with Hope clients, meanwhile, make just $15 an hour. Even with 2 or 3 jobs, they cannot pay rent.
Gillespie Center, before renovations. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
Linxweiler House has been a temporary solution. After initial hesitation, Crescent Road residents have embraced their new neighbors.
But soon, the Gillespie Center will be back in operation. After months of construction, it will be more functional, efficient and welcoming than ever.
It’s not just for homeless people, either. A large, well-lit new conference room will be available, free, for non-profits to use.
The other day, McAlinden showed off the space. An entirely new kitchen will enable volunteers — individuals, families, organizations, and Cecily Gans’ Staples High School culinary classes — to not just serve, but also cook, meals.
Clients can use it too, to learn or improve their cooking skills.
Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden, in the new kitchen …
An ADA-compliant bathroom means that people with disabilities can shower and take care of themselves too.
An isolation room is available for clients who get sick. When not in use, it can be used for extra beds.
The men’s dorm has been split into 2 rooms. The result is more privacy — and light.
The women’s shelter now shares a hallway with the men’s. Previously, women had to leave the kitchen or community room and walk outside, to a separate entrance.
The second floor food pantry — open to the public — is now served by a dumbwatier. “No more hauling sacks of potatoes up the stairs!” McAlinden explains.
… and food pantry …
The pantry will have have a refrigerator and freezer, allowing it to store milk, cheese, eggs and meat.
There’s space too for toiletries, like toothpaste and soap.
The refrigerator and toiletries have been some of the most popular features of the temporary pantry at Sasco Creek Village. It’s been a great success, since moving there in May.
But McAlinden looks forward to getting the pantry back under the Gillespie roof. And the Westport Housing Authority, which oversees Sasco Creek Village near the Southport line, will be happy to get its community room back.
“This is an unbelievable, state-of-the-art facility,” says McAlinden proudly. The bulk of the funding caem from a federal Department of Housing ARPA grant. An anonymous gift paid for the dormer conference room that will be used by any non-profit that needs it.
… and outside the entrance. (Photos/Dan Woog)
Westport Department of Human Services director Elaine Daignault played a key role in the project. She wrote the grant, coordinated efforts with the town, and managed the project with McAlinden.
“So many people have been so supportive,” McAlinden notes.
Final construction, including wiring, plumbing, floorng and painting, is underway now. Beds will be delivered soon. Clients are expected to move back in before Christmas.
The Gillespie Center — and Homes with Hope — continue to be the gift that keeps on giving.
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The Westport Sunshine Rotary Club’s annual day of family fun begins at Jesup Green at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 29.
The Family Fun Fair includes activities like Nerdy Derby, pin making, face painting, bubble machines, duck pond giveaway and more (plus food trucks!).
The duck race event starts at 1 p.m. Thousands of plastic ducks are dropped from a giant front loader, down a 160-foot long sluice course on Jesup Green.
Each duck has a number, matching a $20 raffle ticket. The first 10 ducks across the finish line win money for their ticket holders. First place gets $5,000, second place $1,000, while the next 8 earn $500 awards.
All the fun is for a great cause. Sunrise Rotary donates the proceeds to local and international charities.
Tickets can be purchased online at westportsunriserotary.org, or from any Westport Sunrise Rotarian at any time — uncluding the morning of the event.
A few of the thousands of racing ducks. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Paul Newman’s family was front and center last week, when Aspetuck Land Trust celebrated the 25th acquisition of Trout Brook Valley, at the Pequot Library.
Purchasing the 730 acre preserve in Easton for $11.3 million — and saving it in perpetuity — was an enormous effort, involving hundreds of people.
But, ALT says, during the long saga “there was no moment more pivotal than when 3 (Newman) daughters, Lissy, Clea, and Nell, discovered that the beautiful property they knew so well was going to become a luxury home development with an 18-hole golf course.”
Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward jumped into action. They donated $500,000 towards the purchase, then starred in a benefit performance of “Love Letters” at the Westport Country Playhouse, raising another $175,000.
“There is no doubt that when the Newmans showed that they cared, people followed,” the Land Trust said.
Lissy Newman accepted the award, on behalf of her family.
Lissy Newman, at the Aspetuck Land Trust event.
The ALT event also included the Native Landscape of the Year Award, to Ann and Charles Stebbins.
Among many other activities, the longtime native landscapers have dedicated themselves to a 36-acre site in Westport.
“It took years to eradicate all of the invasives and plant natives,” Aspetuck Land Trust says, “but this property is now the beautiful CT Audubon’s Smith Richardson Preserve, open to the public attracting and supporting a wide array of wildlife. Their dedication is an inspiration to home and landowners everywhere who want to build back the ecosystem upon which all species rely.”
Renovations have begun on 2 Homes with Hope facilities.
Both the Gillespie Center/Hoskins Place men’s and women’s shelters downtown, and Project Return/Susie’s Place for young women on Compo Road North will undergo significant alterations and upgrades.
Westport Police made 3 custodial arrests between June 12 and 19.
A 59-year-old Stamford man was charged with driving under the influence, failure to drive right and illegal possession of a controlled substance, following a report of a hit-and-run accident at 1:30 a.m. on June 14 at 515 Post Road East.
The driver stopped on Compo Road North, when his vehicle became disabled. He was unable to provide police with any information on how the crash occurred.
A 44-year-old Westport man was arrested for assault and strangulation, folliwng a domestic violence incident at 6:45 a.m. on June 15.
A 64-year-old Stamford man was arrested for failure appear, after a motor vehicle stop revealed he had an active re-arrest warrant.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Traveling unreasonably fast: 6 citations
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 6
Operating a motor vehicle without a license: 5
Failure to obey state traffic commission signals: 4
Improper use of markers: 3
Failure to comply with state traffic commission regulations: 3
Anne Leskow was one of 3 winners in our recent “Cool Cohl Katz Contest.”
She correctly identified the former Westporter who started their career as a stockbroker, before moving on to fame in other areas: Martha Stewart. Her name was pulled randomly, out of all 47 correct answers.
Yesterday she got her prize: a haircut and makeup application, from Cohl.
Lookin’ good!
Anne Leskow, before (left) and after her session with Cohl Katz.
Former Westporters Peter Garcia and Gloria Garcia died this year in Broomfield, Colorado, within months of each other.
Peter, 80, passed away peacefully on January 18, from complications of pneumonia.
Born in San Francisco, he grew up in the US, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peru and other countries.
His loving wife of 45 years, Gloria, also died peacefully on May 29, following a head injury and a long struggle with dementia.
She was born in the Canary Islands. She lived in Spain, Panama, Germany, Venezuela, Guatemala and the US (mostly in Westport, as well as Atlanta and Colorado).
Before meeting Peter, Gloria was married to Bernd Planton. He died in 1977, leaving children Klaus and Christian.
Peter and Gloria are survived by their four children (all graduates of Staples High School) and 7 grandchildren: Klaus, son Sebastian and daughter Marissa; Christian (Marit) and daughter Isabella; Jen Garcia Allen (Jefferson Allen) and daughters Flynn and Liv, and David (Ashley), daughter Arianna and son Jaxon.
Peter was a graduate of Oakland University. He spent his entire career with Xerox, retiring as a marketing and customer service executive.
Peter loved politics, travel, bridge, and reading the New York Times cover to cover.
Gloria attended college in Panama City. She worked for Procter & Gamble and Xerox in South America, before devoting her life to caring for her family.
Gloria enjoyed reading, the arts, painting, bridge, tennis and gardening.
Peter and Gloria lived in Westport for over 35 years. Both participated in New Neighbors and Graduates. Peter was a member of the Y’s Men of Westport and Weston. Gloria was a member of both the Spanish Group and International Group of Westport.
Donations in the couple’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s of America and Tobacco Free Kids. Their interment will be private, on July 5 in Willowbrook Cemetery.
Gloria and Peter Garcia
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Lou Weinberg describes today’s “Westport … Naturally” image: “This baby chickadee is waiting for mom and dad to bring back more food before it fledges.
“They bring an estimated 6,000 to 9,000 baby caterpillars to raise a successful brood.
“The Long Lots Preserve, with its green open space and hundreds of newly planted trees, shrubs and wildflowers provides the habitat to produce this much-needed starter food.”
And finally … Willie Mays — “the spirited center fielder whose brilliance at the plate, in the field and on the basepaths for the Giants led many to call him the greatest all-around player in baseball history,” and the oldest living Baseball Hall of Fame member, died on Tuesday in Palo Alto. He was 93.
Click here for a full obituary on the legendary, beloved athlete and pioneer.
(“06880” is your hyper-local source for news, events, history and more. We rely on support from readers like you. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
This was the scene yesterday in Norwalk, as workers dismantled the fire-damaged Fairfield Avenue I-95 overpass:
(Photo/News12 Connecticut)
Last night, massive “shears” were brought in from Long Island, to cut the metal. Work will continue all weekend.
Want to watch the ongoing operation, from the comfort of your home? Click here for this fascinating live webcam, courtesy of the state Department of Transportation.
Just when you think you’ve seen everything … you realize you haven’t.
A driver yesterday — perhaps unhappy with the I-95-related traffic, perhaps confused, perhaps distracted, but definitely not someone you want behind the wheel — decided to create a new street, in the pedestrian alley between Don Memo and Barnes & Noble.
Employees of Walrus Alley finally stopped him.
(Hat tip and photo/Joelle Malec)
But that’s not all.
He also ran the red light right there.
And drove right past pedestrians in the crosswalk, to make that right hand turn off the Post Road into the very narrow alley.
You can’t make this stuff up.
Nor would you want to.
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The Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place men’s and women’s shelters, and the Westport Food Pantry at the same site, have temporarily closed.
Homes with Hope has embarked on a $1.2 million renovation of the Jesup Road facility.
Food pantry pick-ups can be made at the Sasco Creek Village community building (1655 Post Road East) across from Goodwill) every weekday except Wednesday, from 1 to 4 p.m.
“It’s sad,” says Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden. “But the result will be happy.”
Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place: temporarily closed.
Marc Hartog appreciated “06880”‘s recent Roundup item, noting that AEDs are back in a number of public outdoor locations.
The deputy director of Westport Emergency Medical Service adds: “PulsePoint AED is an app that shows locations of public access AED (automated external defibrillators.
“As long as the user has location permission allowed on their cellphone, it shows the location of the closest AEDs, along with a picture of the location. Clicking on the picture then adds more specific information.
“For example, if I’m near Winslow Park, it says ‘Entrance behind Westport Country Playhouse, by map and dog fountain; address 295 Post Rd East.’
“It also shows who is responsible for that AED (in this case, Norwalk Hospital EMS), along with the email address of the responsible party.
“Or if I’m around Main Street, the map shows 3 public access AEDs: 2 inside Town Hall, 1 outside at the ball field in the rear parking lot.
“The only downside is that the app only shows AEDs that have been registered with PulsePoint by the entity that owns and is responsible for it. There may well be other public access AEDs downtown, possibly within stores or restaurants, but they are not registered and do not show up.
“We strongly encourage any business with an AED to register their location.”
The Westport Country Playhouse’s move to a new format — with plays scheduled for October through April, rather than the summer — will generate a lot of laughs.
In a good way. The 3 shows are comedies, in what the 94-year-old theater is called a “Season of Laughter.”
Each play runs for 3 weeks. The season also includes a holiday offering and musical revue.
“The 39 Steps” (October 22-November 9) is “a fast-paced frenzy of espionage and murderous mayhem … (mixing) Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film with a juicy spy novel, and a dash of Monty Python.”
“Native Gardens” (February 18-March 8) features 2 sets of neighbors, who become “feuding enemies in a backyard battle for the ages.”
“Theatre People” (March 25-April 12) is set in 1948, as Broadway stars gather in a Newport mansion for a weekend of “romance, chaos, and misunderstandings.”
The shorter-run productions are “A Sherlock Carol” (the family holiday show by artistic director Mark Shanahan, back after last year’s sold-out run; December 17-22), and “Broadway Scores at the Playhouse,” songs from the Golden Age to recent musicals (January 23-26).
Season ticket packages for all three longer-run productions start at $68. Tickets will go on sale soon. Click here for complete season details.
PS: In other Playhouse news, a limited number of tickets remain for Bernadette Peters’ evening of songs from music masters (May 19, 7 p.m.). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Also: A third Mike Birbiglia “Please Stop the Ride” show has been added next month. It’s June 4 (8 p.m.).
Tickets to his June 7 performance are sold out. There are only a few seats left for the second one (June 5). Click here to purchase, and for more information.
Westport Country Playhouse (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
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The Westport Book Shop is going to the dogs.
Exhibitor of the month Clark Hanford is showing oil paintings featuring dogs. They are painted in 19th century style, and are presented in antique frames.
Hanford has been an artist for over 5 decades, working in painting, clothing and sculpture. Before returning to Westport in 1985, the 1962 Staples High School graduate lived, worked and studied in London for 17 years, making and selling works from his Notting Hill shop.
He has created lifelike sculptures of Marlene Dietrich, Lucille Ball, Katherine Hepburn, Liz Taylor and others, dressed in period clothing made by Clark.
Hanford’s notable clients include Burt Bacharach, Demi Moore, John Entwistle, Elton John, Debbie Reynolds and David Bowie.
A reception is set for May 15 (6 to 7:30 p.m.).
Clark Hanford, at his Westport Book Shop exhibition.
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All month long, the Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors is running a food drive, to benefit Person-to-Person.
Items — including especially cereal, oatmeal, hearty soups, peanut butter and jelly, protein and granola bars, bags or boxes of rice, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta and sauce, dried and canned beans, nutrition bars, coffee and tea — can be dropped off at the MFCAR office (19 Imperial Avenue, weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.).
The month-long drive ends with a shredding event (June 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Colonial Green). Anyone bringing a food donation gets complimentary shredding.
To give a monetary donation to People-to-People, scan the QR code below:
No one knows. But Caleb Scharf’s insights are probably far better than the rest of us.
NASA’s senior scientist for astrobiology at the Ames Research Center returns to the Westport Astronomical Society’s free online lecture series. He’ll discuss “The Search for Life in the Universe: 2024 and Beyond” on May 21 (8 p.m.; click here for Zoom; click here for YouTube livestream).
This is his third appearance at the WAS. He’ll speak specifically about research in exoplanetary science, exploration of the solar system, and upcoming plans for Mars, Titan, and the Habitable Worlds Observatory (NASA’s future space telescope).
The Joggers Club is moving to the Greens Farms train station, with “fun runs” on Saturdays starting at 8 a.m. It’s a buildup series, free to all registrants in the Fairfield Half Marathon.
The Joggers Club also runs (ho ho) Track Nights (Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., Staples High School track) and a Kids Run Club (Sundays, 4 p.m., Staples High School track; $25 per session, grades K-8).
Joggers Club memberships ($50) include a free Lululemon running shirt ($78 value), a year of free coffee and bagels after each run, plus fitness and friends.
The Cottage is offering a prix fixe, 4-course Mother’s Day meal.
From noon to 5 p.m. next Sunday (May 12; $110 per adult, $55 per child, not including tax and tip), chef Brian Lewis rolls out the red carpet for Mom and her family.
When Fantasia headlined a tribute to Clive Davis recently at Carnegie Hall, she did so with her voice — and an elegant gown.
It was designed, Essence says, by Christian Siriano, “who has built quite a name for himself in the fashion industry. The lavender long sleeve dress featured a leg slit and a black feather trim all around the gown, causing a dramatic, old Hollywood effect.”
Siriano is — in addition to being a former Project Runway winner — a Westporter. His Collective West collection is on Post Road West.
Click here for the full Essence story. (Hat tip: Danielle Teplica)
Fantasia, and her Christian Siriano gown. (Photo courtesy of Essence)
Lift Wellness will hold a ribbon cutting for the opening of its mental health and eating disorder partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment for teens and adults at their 8 Myrtle Avenue location on May 17 (11 a.m.).
The timing is appropriate: This is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Attendees can enjoy food, take a tour, and pick up swag. Click here for more information.
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo highlights the Longshore golf course, in full, beautiful bloom:
And finally … Fantasia was wearing a non-Christian Siriano outfit (see story above) in this 411 million-view video.
But she still looks (and sounds) great.
(From high fashion to homeless shelters, “06880” has our town covered. This is “where Westport meets the world.” We rely on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
For a place as contentious as Westport — some folks opposed building a playground at Compo, and half the town thought building a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island was just ducky — you’d think putting a homeless shelter in the heart of downtown would ignite World War III.
But you would be wrong.
As Homes with Hope prepares to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Gillespie Center on April 9 with a video and reception, it’s a great time to look back on the origins of one of the first shelters in a suburban town, anywhere in the US.
Sure, there was a bit of debate about the opening of Westport’s first homeless shelter in 1984, at the former Vigilant firehouse (where OKO restaurant is now, in the parking lot between Bartaco and National Hall).
The Vigilant Firehouse on Wilton Road, circa 1977. In 1984, it became the town’s first men’s shelter.
But the moral leadership of Reverend Pete Powell, Reverend Ted Hoskins, Rabbi Bob Orkand and businessman James Bacharach, plus town support from 1st selectman Bill Seiden, human services director Barbara Butler and David Kennedy, tamped much of the controversy.
A few years later, as Arthur Tauck redeveloped National Hall into an inn, moving to Jesup Road — catty-corner from the police station — made sense.
Many hands helped make the new 15-bed home possible. (The toilets were rescued from a Beachside Avenue home that Phil Donohue was razing.)
A 5-bed facility for women — now called Hoskins Place — was built next to the men’s shelter, when the Westport Transit District office moved.
Over the years, the Gillespie Center’s conversion from a beat-up old maintenance shed behind what was then the Fine Arts Theater (now Barnes & Noble) to a well-maintained shelter has enhanced the look of the entire area.
The Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place — Westport’s men’s and women’s shelters. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
Less visible is what goes on inside. But the men and women who seek shelter there — and others who use the very active food pantry — know and appreciate the hard work and tremendous care given by Homes with Hope to many in town over the past 40 years.
For 4 decades the Gillespie Center — the name honors Jim Gillespie, the 1st president of Homes with Hope (then called the Interfaith Housing Association) — has provided housing, meals and hope to thousands of men and women.
And many more Westporters than that have contributed food, setup and cleanup help, equipment and funds to keep that hope alive.
Several years ago, Dolores Bacharach and Rev. Pete Powell reminisced about the early days of what is now Homes with Hope. Both are featured in the new video, to be shown April 9.
Homes With Hope has grown significantly since 1984. In addition to emergency shelter for men and women, and the community kitchen and food pantry, today the non-profit agency provide supportive housing for individuals and families, rapid re-housing, diversion services, youth development programs na mentoring.
The staff develops individualized case management plans with sustainable solutions, so clients can achieve and maintain independent lives
If you’re looking for controversy — or a story about an affluent suburb that shunned its homeless — stay away from the Gillespie Center. You won’t find it there.
All you’ll see are beds, meals, and Westport’s support for our fellow humans, down on their luck.
(The April 9 celebration of Homes with Hope’s 40 years features a documentary film by Livio Sanchez, including interviews with some of the founders. For more details, contact CEO Helen McAlinden: hmcalinden@hwhct.org.)
It’s “the most wonderful time of the year.” Gifts spill out beneath full, fragrant trees. A roaring fire adds to the warmth. There is way too much food.
That Hallmark holiday is not reality for everyone, of course.
It’s especially not true for those who don’t have enough food.
Or even a place to call home.
But for residents of the Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place, and those with their own roofs but bare pantries and no family, this Christmas was better than they could have imagined.
It was a gift from Westporters who do have homes, and food, but who wanted to share the holiday with those who do not.
Homes with Hope — the non-profit that for 40 years has run our town’s men’s and women’s shelters, and food pantry — provided Christmas Eve dinner, and Christmas Day lunch and dinner, for over 2 dozen neighbors.
The meals came courtesy of a local restaurant and Westport residents. They were served by them too.
Kristen Comfort — owner of Zucca Gastrobar — kicked things off Sunday night. She provided a full dinner: ham, salad, vegetables, mashed potatoes, pasta, dessert and a fruit punch.
“Zucca’s owner and staff were so generous. Our clients were thrilled,” says Homes with Hope CEO Helen McAlinden.
Zucca chefs, with a photo of the Gillespie Center.
Richard and Molly Swersky had never been to the Homes with Hope community kitchen.
But on Christmas Day they — and their daughters Frannie and Vivi, ages 9 and 8 — stopped by to serve lunch (sandwiches, fruit salad, potato salad, dessert). They had a wonderful time with HwH’s very appreciative clients, McAlinden says.
The Swersky family, in the community kitchen. 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker (far right) was there too.
Christmas dinner was courtesy of Kimberly Konstant, who has volunteered previously in the community kitchen.
The menu included lasagna, chicken parmigiana, vegetables and dessert.
But what’s Christmas without presents?
The Westport Rotary Club donated socks, scarves and hats for all the shelter residents.
Christmas gifts, from the Westport Rotary Club.
McAlinden says, “Westport is a special and unique place. People come daily with gifts and food.
“Thank you to all the kind people of Westport. On behalf of our staff, board and clients we serve, we thank you so much!”
(To learn more about Homes with Hope — including how to donate and volunteer — click here.)
“Exposed: The Lost Negatives and Untold Stories of Michael Friedman” — the 1961 Staples High School graduate’s recently published book of intimate photos of the Rolling Stones. Janis Joplin. The Band. Johnny Winter. Gordon Lightfoot. James Cotton. Ian and Sylvia and many others, taken in the 1960s when Friedman worked with and was friends with them — began in 2017, when he displayed them in a Bedford Square pop-up gallery during the holiday season.
It’s the holidays again. And Friedman has opened a second pop-up.
It too is on Church Lane, opposite the Spotted Horse. The photos of Joplin, the Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul Butterfield, The Band, Todd Rundgren, Kris Kristoffersen and (former Westporter) Johnny Winter are as intriguingly powerful as ever.
The gallery will be open through the holidays.
Michael Friedman in his first pop-up gallery. His photo shows Levon Helm, legendary drummer for The Band.
“’Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Suburbia’” was just published. It might make an ideal holiday gift for film buffs. Naturally, there is a strong Westport presence here (starting with the cover, a scene from ‘The Swimmer’).
“One chapter, ‘Dark Suburbia,’ includes write-ups of 4 movies, all of which were filmed and/or set, at least in part, in Westport: ‘The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,’ ‘The Swimmer,’ ‘Loving’ and ‘The Stepford Wives.’
“Another chapter, ‘Suburban Sex Comedies,’ leads off with ‘Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys.’
“Author actress Illeana Douglas grew up in Connecticut. She includes other historical background in the book about Westport’s connection to the arts.”
A very generous family provided Thanksgiving dinner at the Gillespie Center — Westport’s homeless shelter — on Thursday.
It was the second year in a row. And, just like last year, they asked to remain unnamed.
The meal was served by a family that moved to Westport this past summer, along with the grandparents visiting from Florida (where they do similar volunteer work).
“Julie Buchenholz and her daughter Mila have jumped right into the community,” says Helen McAlinden, CEO of Homes with Hope, which oversees the shelter and pantry.
1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker also stopped by the Gillespie Center on Thursday, a tradition for her on holidays.
Rear (from left): Clemence Lecornu, Julie Buchenholz, Pat Wilson of Homes with Hope, and Joe and Shelley Jacoby. Mila Buchenholz is in front.
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Weston’s Lachat Winter Market is collecting gently used adult and children’s winter coats next Saturday (December 2, 106 Godfrey Road West).
They’ll be donated to Open Doors, the South Norwalk homeless shelter and community resource center.
The Lachat Winter Market is always a great holiday shopping event. This year’s event is entirely indoors.
Vendors sell art, clothing, jewelry, housewares, baked goods and other locally produced foods. Click here for more details.
Important note: The Barn Bar will be open too.
Lachat Winter Market
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” roams further than ever: the moon and Jupiter, seen through high atmospheric clouds.
But hey: The photo was taken right here, in our home town.
And finally … in honor of Michael Friedman’s pop-up photo gallery (story above), here are 3 songs of artists he’s associated with — all with at least one Westport or Weston tie:
(As you plan your holiday shopping, please don’t forget “06880.” Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
Posted onSeptember 30, 2022|Comments Off on There’s Nothing Funny About Homelessness. Except On October 15.
As Connecticut’s housing crisis worsens — buffeted by the perfect storm of an economic downturn, rising rents and decreased stocks of affordable units — Homes with Hope becomes more important than ever.
For nearly 40 years the non-profit (originally the Interfaith Housing Association) has provided area residents with emergency shelter, supportive housing, a community kitchen and food pantry, and much more.
It offers beds for men and women downtown, in the shadow of Tiffany. There are also small individual and group homes throughout Westport — unobtrusive yet critical housing at a time when the need for affordable units is critical.
The Gillespie Center is a few feet away from Tiffany. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
Since 1983, Westport — town officials, other non-profits and countless individuals — has supported Homes with Hope. That support continues.
A $1 million renovation of Gillespie Center and Hoskins Place — nestled next to Barnes & Noble, Walrus Alley and Don Memo — will add security measures, insulation, and air conditioning for volunteers in the food pantry (plus refrigeration, for perishable goods).
Plans are moving now through the permitting process. The target date for construction is early next year.
Not far away, on Compo Road North next the Little League fields and tennis courts, Project Return will transition from an emergency shelter to supportive housing for young women ages 18 to 24. With longer stays they’ll be able to access more services, including education, jobs and social work.
If approved by town bodies, 6 units will be added to Westport’s overall affordable housing stock.
Project Return’s “Susie’s House,” on North Compo Road.
All of Homes with Hope’s work — which goes on 24/7/365 — costs money. Exactly 2/3 of their budget comes from donations.
Which is why “Stand Up for Comedy” — the annual fundraiser — is so crucial.
This year’s event is October 15 (8:30 p.m., Fairfield University Quick Center). Pat McGann headlines the comedy special. The Chicago-based comic has performed at Madison Square Garden, Gilda’s LaughFest, the Great American Comedy Festival, the Nashville Comedy Fest and Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival.
He’s been on the Late Show with David Letterman — twice — and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. His riffs on his wife, kids and marriage were spot on.
After a COVID-canceled 2020 event and a Westport Library hybrid version last year, Homes with Hope executive director Helen McAlinden, and event co-chairs Allyson Gottlieb and Becky Martin, are thrilled to be back at the Quick Center.
“This is a great opportunity to be together, laugh and support a very important cause,” McAlinden says.
The laughter pays off. Last year, Homes with Hope served 951 different people: men and women at the shelters; individuals and families in 8 other housing programs; children in after-school programs, and the community kitchen and food pantry.
The non-profit also covers, on an as-needed basis, costs like security deposits, or first and last month’s rent, for clients moving into their own rental places.
McAlinden notes that in this part of Fairfield County, people need to earn $38.50 an hour to afford a studio or 1-bedroom apartment. Connecticut’s minimum wage is $14, so even 2 full-time jobs would not cover that.
“There’s nothing more meaningful than helping someone get on their feet, and plant roots,” says Gottlieb.
She and Martin hope many Westporters will get on their own feet too, on October 15 too — to stand up for both comedy, and Homes with Hope.
(For tickets and more information on “An Evening of Comedy with Pat McGann,” click here.)
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Comments Off on There’s Nothing Funny About Homelessness. Except On October 15.
How do you say Westport without saying Westport? Jillian Elder of Finding Westport — the online seller of iconic “Westport” t-shirts, mugs and other goodies — wondered.
The result: Some clever new designs, Click here to see (and order).
Westport Lifestyle magazine does a great job highlighting the beauty and benefits of Westport.
But it does not neglect the more human, less talked-about, often unseen parts of life in our town.
This month, editor Robin Moyer Chung wrote about homelessness. It’s an important piece. Here’s a slightly edited version:
Antwayn, like every other Gillespie Center client, never thought he’d be homeless. Four years ago he had a full-time job, a home in Bridgeport with his girlfriend, a newborn and a toddler. Then one evening in March he lost everything.
Please take a moment to consider that we live in the town in which Antwayn briefly lived, but in an alternate universe. We enjoy advantages, trust and liberties that he did not.
Antwayn, today. (Photo/Mindy Briar)
Antwayn’s parents divorced when he was young. His mom raised him in Stamford. At 12 years old “I thought I knew everything,” he admits. His friend, Pookie, was in a gang, the Ebony Kings, and persuaded him to join. For initiation, 4 older members jumped him. He fought back. He walked away with a “busted lip” and an indoctrination into the Ebony Kings family.
He willingly assumed the life of a gang member. If a brother said “Jump that guy” he did.
When he turned 13 his mom sent him to live with his dad in Georgia. “I was furious,” he recalls. “But she knew I’d end up getting shot or shooting someone. At 13 you don’t understand the consequences.”
Today, he concedes that his mother saved his life by shipping him South.
He graduated from Jenkins High School in Savannah. At 19 he had 2 kids with 2 different women. “No one was teaching me anything,” Antwayn says. “My dad let me do anything.”
After graduating high school he earned a certificate and worked as a daycare assistant at the YMCA. Then he worked as an assistant camp counselor. “I love kids,” he says.
In 2003 he moved back to Connecticut and lived with his mother. He worked at Party City, then got a gig at Costco in 2007. He worked these 2 jobs for 10 years. “I was earning $21.95 at Costco,” he proudly says.
He later moved in with his girlfriend. Together they had 2 kids, Aalyah (now 7) and Antwayn (now 4). Then that day in March, after he returned from work, his girlfriend kicked him out of their home, and the police arrested him for violating a restraining order.
Antwayn couldn’t pay the $25,000 bond so they locked him in a cell for 28 days. “You don’t want to go jail,” he cautions, shaking his head.
Costco fired him for work abandonment. He had no home, no access to his money. His car was towed shortly after his arrest, his mother had no room for him in her home, and no business would hire a man fresh from the slammer. And he was not allowed to see his kids.
The only thing he had on the 29th day, finally out of prison, was his innocence. Not that it mattered. “I was confused. Lost. I lost it all in the snap of a finger.”
Devastated and shell-shocked, he dialed 211, the hotline for essential community services. They guided him toward a shelter in Bridgeport. For 15 days he lined up at 5 p.m. to get a bed for the night. Then he was granted room in Gillespie.
The Gillespie Center, in downtown Westport.
After 6 months in Gillespie, program manager Ryan Soto located and contacted Antwayn’s father in Oregon. He agreed to share his home with his son. So Antwayn relocated across the country. 33 days later he returned, shaken by his father’s violent mental health issues and veiled threats.
Again, he found himself with nowhere to turn. By miracle, Ryan discovered he was back in the system. He got a room for Antwayn in Gillespie. During the long months of his second residency he was pessimistic and untethered. Then slowly, with Ryan’s help, he took the difficult, unnerving steps to overcome fear and submit to the power of hope. Ryan says, “He says ‘Ryan, you give great advice so I’m going to listen to you.’”
Then Antwayn became one of Gillespie’s favorite success stories.
Gillespie found him affordable housing and hired him part-time in the food pantry. He serves meals, cleans up, assists with food and clothing donations. Every morning he comes an hour early — a free hour, no one pays him — to make coffee, clean the refrigerator, whatever needs to be done.
Antwayn, at work in the food pantry.
“I want to stay working here,” he says. “Miss Pat’s worked here for 17 years. I want to beat her record.” He’s strong, good, and happy. His eyes light up when speaking of his manager, Ryan, “Man he’s the best boss I ever had in my life. He knows how to talk to people with good respect.” Then adds, “I love this job.”
On April 5, after a slew of court appearances, he won sole custody of his son and daughter. He beams, “I’m so happy! I take it day by day — everything’s fresh. It hasn’t been a week yet!
When he has a moment to talk to Gillespie residents he tells them to look on the bright side, to pick themselves up and start over. He tells his story to help others like him find the smallest toehold in the crag of hope, so they can, one day, follow him to the summit.
About that summit: Helen McAlinden, director of Homes with Hope, nominated Antwayn for the Carol E. Walter Think, Be, Lead, Change Award, from the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. Recipients are honored for their
perseverance and drive.
Antwayn won, and received a plaque last June. He calls that one of the proudest moments of his life.
(To learn more about the Gillespie Center and its parent organization, Homes with Hope, click here.)
Each month, a different Westporter gives an invocation before the RTM meeting.
Most are earnest, but unmemorable. (Trust me, I know: I’ve given one myself.)
Last month, Jessica Bram departed from the usual aren’t-we-all-lucky-to-live-in-Westport platitudes. Instead — peaking directly to her colleagues — the RTM member confronted important issues head-on.
I asked Jessica if I could post her words here, so au audience greater than a few dozen legislators and local policy wonks could see — and reflect — on them. Here’s her invocation:
I moved to Westport over 24 years ago. A single mother when I arrived, I didn’t know a soul here. I raised 3 sons who now have successful lives because they went through our extraordinary Westport Public Schools – that school system that we are here to talk about tonight.
Jessica Bram
(Incidentally, I will mention that one of my sons married his Staples High School girlfriend— he went to Bedford, she to Coleytown— and they just had their second child.)
When Coleytown Middle School was shut down, I remember saying – because our school system is so critical in this town—that this was the single worst thing that ever happened to Westport in my 24-year memory.
To lose an entire middle school … to be forced to cram one entire school population in with another! Remember what a crisis that was? The worst that could ever happen.
Then came COVID.
And instead of being upset because our kids were in crowded classrooms after Coleytown moved in with Bedford (remember we were upset because so many had to have lunch so early?), now there was COVID. And now all our kids had to stay home from school.
Our whole town changed. Businesses failed, people lost jobs, restaurants shut down. Perhaps worst of all, we couldn’t be together.
Two years later, here we are, at our RTM meeting, still on Zoom.
Yes, we disagree on so many things. We all have opinions here (as you know I have opinions on everything, you’ve all heard them).
But let’s think about what our differences are about, and the values that they reflect.
We argued about using ARPA funds for beach repair. But wasn’t that about protecting the environment? Being responsible stewards of our shoreline, our town’s greatest asset?
Yes, we fight about gas-powered blowers. But isn’t that because each of us wants to hold so tightly on to the Westport that we all came here for, the homes and lives we built for our families, regardless of whether that’s quiet afternoons or beautiful lawns?
Yes, we have argued for and against offering public transportation. But what a gift we received from that conflict! That gift of having received over 100 heartfelt emails — each one different, each expressive, none of them boiler plate.
I learned so much that I didn’t know about … what it’s like to have an infant at home and only one car… what it’s like to be a worn-out commuter. So because of that conflict we got to know so much about our neighbors’ lives, in personal, truthful ways.
The Wheels2U debate elicited many personal emails and phone calls.
We argue vehemently about P&Z issues such as affordable housing, 8-30g, and the zoning problems that that legislation causes. But although we may vehemently disagree about zoning issues, we do respect our town bodies that allow our disagreements to be spoken aloud and acted on in orderly, non-combative ways.
One thing I do know is that regardless of how we feel about 8-30-g, we all do care about, and have compassion for, families, either struggling or wealthy families, who all want to have safe, affordable homes where we can raise our children.
And don’t we all support our organizations such as Homes with Hope, that are working so hard to end homelessness — whether we offer that support philanthropically, or by cooking and serving lasagna in our newly renovated Gillespie Center?
Let me point out that we are, after all, a town that has a youth center, and homeless shelter, a block away from a Tiffany’s. All of which says something about what we in Westport care about. Not just the homeless shelter. But Tiffany’s too, because it does speak of the lives we unapologetically want for our children.
The Gillespie Center is a few feet away from Tiffany. (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)
Yes, some of us cling furiously to our causes and our pet issues and our political affiliations.
Yes, we may disagree on so many things.
Yes, our RTM meetings can at times stretch agonizingly long into the night.
But let’s remember who we are.
With all our disagreements, in all those exhausting, contentious, boring RTM meetings, we are all doing it just to make things right.
Let’s think about the values and principles that we share at the heart of it all – our families, our first responders, our overworked teachers. And yes, even our noisy neighbors.
Let’s remind ourselves – and applaud ourselves for — living in a town not of things and real estate, but of principles. That what we’re here for – especially those of us on the RTM — are principles of honesty and fairness —and what’s really important in our troubled world.
Because that’s who we are.
And know that in the end, we care for, respect, and yes, even a little bit, love each other.
RTM members march in the 2018 Memorial Day parade.
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McAlinden notes that in this part of Fairfield County, people need to earn $38.50 an hour to afford a studio or 1-bedroom apartment. Connecticut’s minimum wage is $14, so even 2 full-time jobs would not cover that.
Two years later, here we are, at our RTM meeting, still on Zoom.
