UHOPE Haven (Unhoused Outreach Programs Educations)

Mission

UHOPE Haven envisions a future world where New Haven community members and families experiencing homelessness, some of the most vulnerable among us, can freely access dignified and compassionate social services without fear of stigma or judgment We aim to promote human dignity and respect for unhoused community members through awareness-building, advocacy campaigns, and direct service opportunities in collaboration with community and campus partners.

Student Leaders

Kendall Washington – Co-Coordinator/Co-President Evelyn Alonso – Co-Coordinator/Co-President Tisa Biswas – Co-Coordinator/Co-President Uyen Nguyen – Co-Coordinator/Co-President Maggie Chen – Co-Coordinator/Co-President

Activities

Community Health Pantry Direct Service The Community Health Pantry Project is an initiative dedicated to improving well-being and health equity in New Haven. Our pantries provide essential items?menstrual health products, hygiene products, socks, and soap?to individuals experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or other challenges. In partnership with Neighborhood Health Project, PAUSE, and Yale Bleeds. Haven Free Clinic Distribution Events Direct Service We continue our collaboration with Haven Free Clinic by holding distribution events in their reception area every other week. We distribute necessary items such as hygiene supplies, care packages, education supplies, etc. Haven Free Clinic Distribution Parent-Kid Editions Direct Service We have noticed in our regular events at the Haven Free Clinic that there are a lot of people with children that we don’t have items for and therefore we want to expand our offerings to also include things in kids sizes. We are looking to create kid care packages that contain kids size socks, gloves, beanies, some education supplies that we can provide to their parents Haven Free Clinic Distribution Events Direct Service We partner with Haven Free Clinic to do biweekly distribution events at the clinic where we distribute necessary hygiene and clothing items to underserved people in our community. We also work with the clinic to source harder to find items for patients. Our volunteers support the work with our distribution and serve our community. We respond to the needs of our community by changing the items we distribute based on feedback from the community members so we can better serve our community. Distributions at Haven Free Clinic or Trinity on the Green Episcopal Church (every other week) Direct Service UHOPE Haven distributes hygiene kits and clothing items on a biweekly basis at the Haven Free Clinic and Trinity on the Green Episcopal Church (depending on their availability and ability to have us). Trinity on the Green Distributions Direct Service Every 2 weeks, UHOPE Haven distributes hygiene kits to unhoused individuals at Trinity on the Green. We also provide scarves, hats, and gloves during the winter. Community Health Pantry Project Direct Service The Community Health Pantry Project is an initiative dedicated to improving well-being and health equity in New Haven. Our pantries provide essential items?menstrual health products, hygiene products, socks, and soap?to individuals experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or other challenges.

How Others Get Involved

We have a GroupMe where we share our volunteer opportunities. We have an Instagram @UHOPEHaven. You can also join our group on Yale Connect.