2026 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration & Annual Meeting

Our Mission: The Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter mobilizes our community to ensure no one faces homelessness alone. We provide emergency shelter, police-referred crisis response, and structured housing stabilization programs that help individuals and families move from crisis to HOPE.

During our Volunteer Appreciation Celebration and Annual Meeting we shared some amazing moments. We thought you might enjoy watching them. Click on the pictures below to watch the videos.

The Welcome Address for our Volunteer Appreciation Celebration. Over 65 of our volunteers, supporters and partners joined us for the event.

We interviewed two of our amazing and committed volunteers, and also Sgt. Brian Patrinelli who is our Police Partnership liaison.

Our volunteers and supporters are amazing. John LaPointe shared their amazing impact over the course of our season. They are "angels without wings."

Hands of Hope 2026

Thanks to an idea from our volunteer, Betty Smith, we started a campaign called 100 Hands of Hope. It's a simple ask. You can just volunteer for one shift in our cold weather shelter to experience how it works and see if you'd like to become a volunteer. Just one 4 hour shift to help give hope to those experiencing homelessness in our Valley. Please invite your friends, coworkers or family members to investigate this program. To learn more you can click the link below.

First Annual Hands of Hope Award given to the volunteers from Hope's Thrift Closet

At our first annual award presentation, we were honored to present the Christine Johnson and Regina Hutnak Hands of Hope Award to the incredible volunteers of Hope’s Thrift Closet.

In just one year, these dedicated volunteers have sorted, priced, and sold over $40,000 in donated clothing—directly supporting the work of the Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter. But their impact goes far beyond dollars.

Through generous community donations and the hands of compassionate volunteers, the store has become a mission of its own—offering vouchers to those in need, and providing not just clothing, but dignity, kindness, and care.

Hope’s Thrift Closet is more than a place to shop—it has become a true beacon of hope in Northbridge, shining through every act of service and every life touched.

Learn More about Hope's

Hope Housing Pilot Program

100 Days to Hope

At the Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter, we know that a warm bed for one night can be life-changing—but lasting stability takes more time. That’s why we are launching our 100 Days to Hope pilot program.

This initiative is designed to provide up to 100 days of safe, stable housing for individuals who are ready to take the next step out of crisis. Through extended-stay accommodations, paired with guidance in job searching, budgeting, and goal setting, participants will have the time and support they need to rebuild their lives.

100 Days to Hope is about more than housing—it’s about walking alongside someone as they move from uncertainty to stability, from crisis to confidence, from surviving to thriving.

With the support of our community, we believe this program will not only change lives—it will create a pathway to lasting hope.

Below we invite you to watch Fred Beauregard, our Board Vice President discuss this bold initiative the Board is taking on and meet our first successful participants in the pilot program!

Watch Here