One Year of COVID-19 Response Report

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When the COVID-19 crisis erupted in March 2020, Circle of Hope transformed to immediately prioritize disease prevention. We helped 24,000 homeless individuals stay healthy and safe last year by providing them with all-new clothing and essentials, including 18,600 pieces of PPE. We responded within 48 hours to 8 multi-family house fires, helping 20 displaced families get back on their feet. We gave brand new winter coats to 2,300 children, women, and men experiencing homelessness during the coldest months. Please click the button below to read more about our life-saving COVID-19 response.

HOPE Blooms - In Case You Missed It

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Last night, Circle of Hope supporters came together virtually for HOPE Blooms, a celebration of everything we have accomplished together over the past year. Thank you to everyone who joined us! In case you missed it, click below for event highlights or click here to watch the video.

We'd like to express our deepest gratitude to our event sponsors for enabling us to create this fun event free of charge. Thank you to special guest Eden Espinosa for the incredible performance. And thank you to our supporters for helping us serve more than 24,000 individuals experiencing homelessness last year. We truly could not have done this without you!

To continue fueling our life-saving work in the coming year, please consider a gift to Circle of Hope. To donate, click the button below or text HOPEBLOOMS to 44321.

Join us for virtual HOPE Blooms with special guest Eden Espinosa

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A virtual production of Circle of Hope's annual event with a special performance by Eden Espinosa, star of Broadway's production of Wicked

WEDNESDAY, MAY 26 | 7:00-7:30 p.m.

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Most recognized for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of “Wicked”, Eden Espinosa will join COH’s Executive Director, Barbara Waterhouse and a cast of supporters for a thirty-minute program of song, celebration and hope!

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how Circle of Hope transformed during the pandemic providing lifesaving clothing, dignity items and PPE to homeless individuals and families. Learn how your support makes our vital work possible.

2020 Annual Campaign

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Dear Friends,

When the COVID-19 crisis erupted, Circle of Hope immediately pivoted toward disease prevention to protect the lives of vulnerable children, women, and men who are homeless. Since March, we have provided more than 60,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene essentials, and new clothing to homeless families and individuals. Our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters and healthcare clinics are working.

“It's amazing to see that your organization is still making these essential deliveries during this time. It truly means a lot," said a staff member at On The Rise.

It’s getting colder now, and the need for winter coats and clothing is growing as families lose work due to COVID-19. The family shelters we serve cannot accept gently used clothing or coats this winter. Last year, we gave 5,500 winter coats to children and adults experiencing homelessness, helping protect them from frostbite and hypothermia. In order to provide the same number of winter coats this year, we desperately need your help to buy new coats for the vulnerable families we serve.

Can you help us protect homeless families and individuals from COVID-19 and cold this winter?

Please donate to our Annual Campaign by December 31, 2020 to protect the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors throughout this crisis and beyond. Your donation will directly allow us to supply homeless families with the new coats, warm clothing, face masks, soap, and hygiene supplies they need to keep themselves and their children safe and healthy.

Thank you for your incredible continued support. Our COVID-19 response is literally saving lives and we couldn’t do it without you.

Most gratefully,

Barbara Waterhouse

Founder, Executive Director

Fall Plans - Update

Dear Friends of Circle of Hope,

After extensive discussions with our staff and Board, we have concluded that we must extend our current COVID-19 policies through the end of 2020. It is not safe to accept donations of gently used clothing at this time. We need to be 100% certain we are not putting a single staff member, volunteer, donor, or homeless recipient at risk of COVID-19, so we will continue providing only new donations to homeless families, individuals, and clinic patients for the rest of this year. On-site volunteering is also postponed.

We know so many of you, our dedicated donors and volunteers, are eager to join us in our vital work and help us provide essential donations to homeless infants, children, and adults in Greater Boston. We are incredibly grateful for our compassionate and generous family of volunteers and donors at Circle of Hope. More than anything, we hope to see the COVID-19 crisis under control soon. We miss you and want to be together with you in person!

Right now, you can help the vulnerable families and individuals we serve. The need for our donations will be greater than ever this winter, as families struggle with lost wages due to COVID-19. Please run a collection drive to gather new masks or soap, purchase and assemble "COVID Kits" for homeless families, or shop for the specific items homeless patients and shelter residents need.

Click here for more information on how you can help.

Please reach out to us any time with questions - or just to say hello! We will continue sharing updates via social media, e-newsletter, and on our website, so please keep in touch.

Thank you for your generosity, patience, and understanding. Together, we are helping thousands of our homeless neighbors in crisis. We hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe.

Most gratefully,

Barbara