FISH EMERGENCY SHELTERThe FISH Shelter prides itself on being a safe and secure, family friendly home, offering 35 beds of which 5 are dedicated to veterans. Our in-house food service provides breakfast and dinners.
FISH NWCT has a Case Manager who advocates for the needs, resources and services of all the shelter's residents. The shelter encourages residents and welcomes area community neighbors to participate in the weekly (3X) GED program provided by EdAdvance on site (currently - due to the pandemic - virtual). Job counseling is also offered to shelter residents. And, we partner with the NWCT Community College to offer vocational job training and job placement. Medical staff from the Community Health and Wellness Center (FQHC) delivers medical care to residents at the shelter weekly. Behavioral Health counseling services are arranged for Shelter residents when needed or requested. And, the Torrington School system is actively involved with the children at FISH with the number usually varying from three to ten children. *****Our goal is to move our Shelter residents into permanent, affordable housing as rapidly as possible.*****
In 2022 - 2023, FISH sheltered 85 individuals: 56 adults, 17 children and 12 veterans FISH staff strive to promote and support both housing and job opportunities for its residents. FISH, a non-profit organization, appreciates and depends on financial support from the community to exist. Fortunately we have been resilient through the pandemic. Our "Team Stay Healthy" strategy worked! "Life for Vets" Program at FISH Roughly one-third of homeless adults have served their country in the military. The "Life for Vets" program is a five bed Veterans Administration supported transitional housing program provided by FISH/ Friends in Service to Humanity of NW CT with the intention of assisting homeless or at-risk veterans to meet their current and future needs. Upon arrival, the veteran is assigned a case manager who establishes a continuum of specialized VA services that include: evaluation, treatment, psycho-social rehabilitation, and vocational services to transition into permanent housing. Use of community-based services may also be used in response to one's particular needs. The veteran's length of stay in the shelter may vary, yet our goal is to find housing for our vets as quickly as possible. FISH Emergency Shelter phone (860) 496-1648 |
If you are in urgent need for shelter:
The first step in the process to find housing: Please dial 2-1-1, then choose option 3, then option 1 to request shelter. We suggest calling this number twice a week to make sure your name stays at the top of the list. Veterans of the U.S. military may contact FISH directly at 860-496-1648 to ask if we have space in our shelter, but all other callers will only be directed to the 2-1-1 system, which tracks space in shelters statewide. FISH cannot receive direct requests for shelter from anybody who is not a veteran. |