Special Requests

• Infant boy's clothing

• Women's pants and jeans - all sizes

• Men's jeans - all sizes  

October is Circle of Hope's birthday month and the time we look back on the previous year.  With your support, this past year we donated more than $500,000 worth of clothing and necessities to Boston's homeless and at-risk individuals and families, a 52% increase in our giving over 2013.  Our timing couldn't be better, as local, state, and federal officials reported record numbers of homeless people, especially families and youths (Boston Globe, January 12, 2014).  In 2014 our increase in donation deliveries was the largest ever just when "Massachusetts is facing the biggest homeless crisis we've ever seen" (Jim Greene, director of emergency shelters for the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Globe, February 25, 2014).
 
I am proud to report that Circle of Hope provided a warm winter coat for every child in the homeless shelters and motels we serve.  Determined and undaunted by a relentless winter, COH volunteers delivered 1,570 coats to children, women, and men, a more than 50% increase over last year.  We're already getting requests for winter coats and we hope to keep babies, children, and adults warm throughout the fall and winter again this year.
 
This year we've been able to serve more people.  In addition to serving families in the domestic violence shelters, such as ATASK and Renewal House, we helped individuals cared for by Fenway Health Center's Violence Recovery Program.  In this issue you'll read about our delivery of more than 200 pairs of men's pants to Long Island Shelter in response to an urgent request for help.  In 2014 we also created a program to provide clothing and necessities for teens and their younger siblings living in Boston's Bowdoin Geneva neighborhood who face many challenges.  And, we partnered with Solutions Wear to provide business wear and confidence to individuals struggling for independent lives.  
 
How did we do this?  With more generous supporters, 100% volunteer retention this year, and nearly 20% more volunteers joining our team in 2014 - that's how we grew!
 
At Circle of Hope we bring dignity and respect with every delivery, along with hope and healing in times of deepest need.  Thank you to all of our generous donors, partners, and volunteers who make it possible for us to keep our promises.

In six short years, we have expanded our partnerships to 19 homeless shelters and organizations with whom we work to provide clothing to the families and individuals who need them.  There are approximately 700 people like you who drop off gently worn clothing and basic necessities to us each week so we can sort them and deliver them to those in need.  Each year, you give more and more and now, we're proud to say that we have delivered $1.7 million of clothing to families and individuals who need our help.  We delivered 50% more donations this year compared to last to Boston's most vulnerable citizens thanks to your outpouring of generosity. 

Thank you for your enthusiastic support.