FACT SHEET:
Mission & Overview / History / Management & Staffing / Budgeting & Funding

MISSION & OVERVIEW
Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Inc.'s (NES) mission is to effectively address the complex needs of the homeless and working poor. To provide safe, sanitary shelter care, food, clothing, and furniture to needy men, women, and families; assist shelter residents in attaining housing, jobs, counseling and various treatment services; provide transitional, affordable, and permanent supportive housing; and to foster residents' growth toward independence and responsibility.

NES is the only emergency shelter and has the only soup kitchen in Norwalk. Consequently, our 95-bed facility has either been at full capacity or beyond for the past three years. Therefore, we have arranged to nightly accommodate homeless individuals at our local overflow facility.

Our Outreach Program takes our Case Managers into the community with the Norwalk Police to locate and encourage homeless individuals living on the streets to come into the Shelter for services. Additionally, NES employs a Housing Coordinator who assists families that are homeless or living in unsuitable conditions to secure and maintain affordable and appropriate housing. The Shelter operates a furniture program and provides clothing free of charge through its "Once and Again" clothing room. The donated furniture and clothing are given to needy residents in the community and homeless individuals and families in the Greater Norwalk area. The Shelter's Transitional Housing Program allows individuals a more independent living arrangement to prepare them for re-entry into the community, while its Permanent Housing Program makes affordable housing available to seven homeless adults with special needs, who also receive supportive services to help them maintain housing, increase self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. NES also has several apartments, where affordable and permanent supportive housing is readily available for low-income earning individuals and families.

The Shelter is part of a network of services within the community. Shelter Case Managers interview and work with each resident to help them search for housing, jobs, job training and appropriate counseling and treatment. Over the course of a year, our Case Managers make hundreds of referrals to city and social service agencies.

HISTORY
The Shelter's founding was initiated in 1983 as a project of the Housing Committee of the Greater Norwalk Community Council. They proposed it be operated under the direction of Reverend John Giuliani of the Benedictine Grange in West Redding. In April 1984, a separate nonprofit organization, called the Norwalk­ Kiwanis Emergency' Shelter, Inc., was formed. It purchased a building at 4 Merritt Street and opened its doors in November 1984. In January 1993, the name was changed to Norwalk, Emergency Shelter, Inc. Since then, the Shelter has expanded in several stages to its present 95-bed capacity.

MANAGEMENT &  STAFFING
The Shelter is a not-for-profit corporation with 501 (c) (3) federal tax status. It is managed by a twenty member volunteer Board of Directors.

The Shelter has a staff of forty-one full and part time employees. In addition, volunteers assist in many ways. A list of volunteer activities is available.

BUDGETING AND FUNDING
The operating expense budget for the fiscal year July l, 2006 through June 30, 2007, is $2,127,900. Approximately 90% of funds are expended on programs and 10% on administration. The Connecticut Department of Social Services provides approximately one-fourth of the revenue, and is the largest single source of revenue. Contributions from individuals, churches and other organizations are the second largest source. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, City of Norwalk, the United Way and the Federal Government also contribute funds. The Shelter has an annual fund-raising dinner and a golf tournament, and receives funds by other groups on its behalf. A budget showing general categories of revenue and expense is available.

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Golf Tournament To Benefit
Norwalk Emergency Shelter

NORWALK, Conn., July 10 -- It's well known that playing a round of golf can provide many health and psychological benefits for golfers. And on August 11, golfers will have an opportunity to.......

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