The Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. was established in 1985 in direct response to the rising number of homeless families and individuals living in cars within the local state forest.
The organization has grown in scope and services since that time. It consists of Pilgrim’s Hope Shelter, the new Plymouth Family Shelter, Pilgrim’s Hope Food Pantry, Children’s Holiday Fund, F.A.I.R. (Family and Individual Resource Program), and “A Voice in the Night” (24-hour/7-day Emergency Referral Program).
Pilgrim’s Hope is 13-unit family shelter and located in Kingston, MA. The shelter is designed in two wings; each wing includes; resident housing, bathrooms, living room, and large kitchen. In the center of the shelter is a playroom and an education/homework room. Enrichment classes (parenting, nutrition, health, etc.) are held weekly.
From October of 2022 through June of 2025, the Plymouth Area Coalition operated The Baymont Inn, Kingston, providing emergency shelter, case management, re-housing counseling, and education classes to 96 homeless families.
In March 2026, the Plymouth Area Coalition opened a new Emergency Assistance Shelter program for 26 homeless families in Plymouth.
The Coalition’s staff ensures school enrollment, coordinates services, child care, and programming for children.
The Coalition Food Pantry, a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank, is located on-site and designated a ‘Healthy Market’. It serves food insecure families and individuals from 22 communities, and is open 3 days a week. Last year the Food Pantry served over 13,000 clients, of whom, 4,900,000 were children, 6,000 adults, 4,300 families, and 1,600 seniors.
The culture of the Pilgrim’s Hope Shelter, the Coalition Food Pantry, and related programs is based on social justice. We work to provide a warm, nurturing environment for all clients.
Our goal is to empower; through education and professional guidance, and ultimately provide our clients with the tools and confidence to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.
