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, 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).
The 13-unit family shelter is 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. Shelter families are placed by the Department of Housing & Community Development.
A fenced play yard offers safe recreation space for younger residents. Re-housing case management is provided by the Coalition’s professional staff. Housing stabilization occurs for 1 year from the time a family is placed in permanent housing.
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 the food insecure of 22 communities, and is open 2 days a week, with a mainly volunteer staff. The Food Pantry serves over 5,000 clients, 2,000 whom are children.
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.
