What is Bethlehem House?
Bethlehem Houses I&II are two four-family apartments houses, located in Stratford, which seven formerly homeless families in our area call home. These are the first such homes in Stratford's 36 year history. Each apartment is decorated and furnished, and each family receives blankets and linens, kitchen and bathroom supplies, as well as enough food to meet their immediate needs. In addition to these homes, we also provide scattered site housing to other homeless families by subsidizing their security deposit and monthly rent. Presently, we are assisting four additional such families and may increase that number, depending upon the availability of financial resources. The demand has only increased since we first opened our doors during Christmas of 2000.

How do we help our families?
Bethlehem House has its own experienced professional staff, who provide a wide range of case management services for our families, and accesses and supervises all necessary community-based services-such as counseling, job-training, job search, development of life-skills and the like.

How do our families help themselves?
All capable adults are expected to (and do) work. They must set aside a portion of their earnings for their future permanent housing. They do their own food shopping, cleaning, laundry and other routine chores. They meet with our social workers on a regular basis in order to hone their life skills and improve the quality of their lives. They join other volunteers in making improvements to Bethlehem House; such as gardening and landscaping.

How long can these families stay at Bethlehem House?
Between six months and two years, although our goal is to help them find decent, permanent housing within a year. The quicker we can find them such housing, the quicker we can accommodate other homeless families. There is always a waiting list.

How does the community help out?
The Stratford Coalition's Board of Directors and officers all volunteer their time, talent and money to further the work of Bethlehem House. In addition, we have had the benefit of literally hundreds of local volunteers from every walk of life, who have provided logistical help to the 105 year old structures themselves, as well as to those who live in them. We work closely with the Town's Community and Development Office, along with many area service organizations, including the State's Department of Children and Families and the Department of Social Services. We have also enjoyed the active collaboration and support of the Stratford Clergy Association, to which Board members belong. Hundreds of additional benefactors have donated both money and supplies to help make ends meet. Without this continual outpouring of assistance from those whose hearts are moved to help, we could never do the work we do.

How are we funded?
We were blessed to have received two substantial grants from Stratford's Community Development Agency to which enable us to purchase and renovate Bethlehem House I. The Melville Trust Foundation of Boston provided a grant of $150,000 for the purchase of Bethlehem House II and the Town provided the necessary renovation funds, In addition, we have received substantial monetary assistance from the Fairfield County Community Foundation, the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation, the Inner-City Foundation for Charity and Education, Stratford's churches and private individuals in the community. Our local schools, both public and private, have also provided needed help, along with the Boy and Girl Scouts. The State's Department of Social Services also covers a small portion of staff salaries for our two paid workers. All other services are provided by volunteers and no money is paid to professional fund-raisers. Each fall, local musicians, singers and dancers volunteer their considerable talents and energy to host a community fund-raising concert. The minor costs associated with the concert are paid by others, so that every penny which is donated to Bethlehem House goes directly to the families who need it most. We are very proud of this unique accomplishment, and will continue to be frugal when it comes to the organization but generous when it comes to our beautiful families.

Where from here?
Unfortunately, homelessness in our area (with its national high standard of living) is getting worse, not better. Until the causes of homelessness are seriously addressed, the need for organizations like ours will continue. All local shelters and transitional homes for homeless families are always full; so is ours. So, instead of building more shelters and homes, we are trying to help our families to rent private apartments in the area. We pay the security deposit and usually the first month's rent, along with that portion of the monthly rent which the family cannot afford. One of our families paid the entire rent and most pay about 80%, as well as all of their utilities.

How can you help?
You can make a frilly tax-deductible contribution to Bethlehem House by writing a check made payable to The Stratford Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. and mailing it to 45 Alexandra Drive, Stratford, Conn. 06614. You may also donate your time and talent to help our families by letting us know what skills you have and what hours during the week you might be available to help. In addition, we often need various pieces of furniture, household supplies, sheets and linens, blankets and new bedding. And, most of all, we need your constant prayers. This is God's work, not just ours. Without your prayers and His providential help, we never could have opened our doors during Christmas of 2000. Like the famous village for which it was named, Bethlehem House offers hope to all in need, regardless of religious belief, ethnic origin or skin color. At Bethlehem House, we are one family, under God, with compassion and love for all.