Dear Friends,

I love the start of a new year. Although the days are shorter and darker, there is inevitably a sense of the “new”. New ventures and new possibilities, new partnerships and renewed hope for progress. At the Beth-El Center, we take on each new year with the understanding that our mission is critical, and our goals are possible. Each day, our doors are open to our vulnerable neighbors, creating hope, stability and connection to the relationships and resources needed to go from homelessness to stable housing. We do that through the relationships we have fostered, with municipal officials, community members, community partners and, above all, with the guidance of those directly impacted by homelessness every day.

Unfortunately, no new year comes without challenges. Recent reports show that from 2023 to 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Connecticut increased 13%, and 44% were children and adults over 55. Over 5,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness in the State of Connecticut and Beth-El Center served nearly 1000 of those individuals in our emergency shelter and food programs throughout 2024. The Homeless Response System's ability to continue providing life-saving services is at risk due to critical funding gaps and a lack of annualized funding indexed to inflation and as I pen this, we navigate a freeze on federal support.

40 years ago, Beth-El stood as a testament to the values and strength of our community. An agreement that ensures our beautiful community remains one where everyone can thrive. I feel this more today, at the beginning of 2025, than I have before. Thank you for joining us on this continued journey, toward stability and prosperity for all.

Yours in Service, 

Jenn

Client Testimonials

“Liz guided me on how to find an apartment, where to look for rental listings and how to apply. The Beth-El team also connected me with so many resources from clothing to mental health support. Beth El has many resources to offer but you have to be willing to do your part. I can’t put into words how much they helped me.”          

-Mike

“The stay at the Center was positive overall. Living in close quarters with different people and personalities wasn’t easy but I tried to stay focused on myself and my family. If it wasn’t for Beth-El Center, we don’t know where we’d be. We were able to get the resources we needed and get housed.” 

-Xiomary, wife and mother of two

"Beth-El is a God-send! We lived in the woods with dozens of people before coming here. Beth El provided a safe haven and helped us regain our independence. Beth-El Center provided us with the comfort and hope we didn't have."

-Paul and Cheryl

Subaru and Operation Warm Donate to

Beth-El Center

Employees from Dan Perkins Subaru recently donated new shoes and socks to all the children staying at the Center. The shoe giveaway is part of Subaru’s involvement with Operation Warm where they visit local homeless shelters and support agencies to provide children with new necessities like coats, shoes and socks. We’re grateful for their generosity!

Twins Volunteer at the Center

Twin sisters Gigi and Lexi Caruso are proud volunteers at the Beth-El Center. Lexi volunteers at the front desk while Gigi works in the Community Kitchen. They live close by and after reading online about the homeless issue and the Center, they decided they wanted to get involved.

Lexi says that her favorite part of volunteering is making connections with the residents and the community members who use the Center’s services. "Volunteering has expanded my perspective of what the Center does and how and why people rely on it. So many people fall on hard times and don’t have family members to rely on while others have lost their jobs and can’t pay their rent," says Lexi. She added that she’s inspired by all the people she’s met at the Center.

Gigi likes volunteering and being around people who care about important issues. "I like contributing, hearing people's stories and getting a grasp on what the shelter's needs are," says Gigi. "I like being at the Center knowing that it's so committed to good and helping people who face barriers." She also enjoys the other volunteers she works with as they have the same views on helping people.

Beth-El Center is always looking for new volunteers! Learn how to become a volunteer.

Staff Highlight:

Meet Our New Shoreline Diversion Specialist Taylor Pepe 

Assisting those who are near eviction or at high risk of homelessness will be the focus of our new Shoreline Diversion Specialist, Taylor Pepe. Taylor will help our clients in the Milford to Guilford shoreline area by identifying alternate housing arrangements and connecting them with services to help them avoid a shelter stay.

Taylor has previous experience as a housing manager helping people who call 2-1-1 for assistance with finding housing. Having grown up in West Haven, Taylor is familiar with the shoreline area and is excited to connect Beth-El Center’s clients with the appropriate services to return them to permanent housing.

In the News

Opinion: He died homeless. That’s not a ‘squatter’ — that’s a failure of humanity.

By Jenn Paradis and Anderson Curtis

CT Mirror 1/14/2025 

CT warming centers fear being in the cold as state funding dries up

NPR 1/8/2025

Beth-El Board News

Thanks to Departing Board Member Al May

Having served twelve years on Beth-El Center Board, Al May is stepping down from Beth-El Center’s Board of Directors. Read our interview with Al:

What roles/responsibilities have you had on the BEC Board?

I served as the Chairperson of the Development Committee. I advocated for more diversification in Beth-El’s fundraising, the cultivation of major donors, and I was involved in the formation of the Director of Development position at the Center. 

I’ve also been a supporter of the Center’s special events; I’m a monthly donor and I’ve served meals in the Community Kitchen.

How did you first get involved with Beth El Center?

I used to work in fundraising and development for a housing/food program for families in New Haven and I had a meeting with the previous Beth-El Executive Director, Toni Dolan, to learn more about the organization. Then once I moved to Milford, someone on the BEC Board invited me to join.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the fact that Beth-El now has a strong development program.



What do you want the community to know about the Beth-El Center?

Beth-El Center is considered a model for other similar programs so the community should be proud of their results in helping people who are experiencing homelessness get back to self-sufficiency and independence. Support from the local community has been great. People know, like and respect Jenn Paradis and want to contribute. 

Welcome New Board Members

Colin Meeham and Attorney Thomas Lynch 

Beth-El Center is excited to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors:

Colin Meeham is a Milford resident and works as a Senior Tech Manager for Indeed in Stamford. He is married and has two daughters and joined the Board to get more involved in his community.

“I’m looking to get more involved at the local level. I know other Board members, Tim Gomer and Emily Souza, who recommended the Center. I’m happy to join the organization so I can make an impact with and apply my skills.”

Attorney Thomas Lynch is a lifelong Milford resident and his law practice Lynch, Trembicki & Boyton has been based in Milford for over 40 years. Attorney Lynch became involved with Beth-El when he represented the Center in the purchase of our new property on Bridgeport Avenue.

“I feel that this is a way of giving back to Milford and I hope I can help in terms of outreach and fundraising. And I’m happy to help with questions regarding City matters and interactions with Milford officials since I’ve been involved with legal matters with the City. I hope to be an asset for that.”

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Winter Guide

In response to the surge of public discussion on homelessness, Beth-El Center has put together a Neighbor-To-Neighbor Winter Guide to empower people with the knowledge and resources on how to best support our unhoused and housing unstable neighbors. 

We hope you’ll find this Guide a useful, solutions-based tool to assist you in helping anyone who’s experiencing housing instability of homelessness.



Please email us at info@bethelmilford.org if you have questions.

   Souper Bowl 2025

A Faith-Based Fundraiser for Beth-El Center

Attention local churches and faith-based organizations:

Help the Beth-El Center tackle homelessness and hunger by taking part in our Souper Bowl fundraiser. During the month of February, our goal is to raise awareness and collect funds for those in our community who need food, shelter and support services.

Show your support throughout the month of February by:

1)     Taking up a special collection during Super Bowl weekend

2)      Encourage members of your congregation to donate directly to the Beth-El Center online via our website

3)     Share this video or information about Beth-El Center to members of your faith community

4)     Send a check to Beth-El Center to tackle hunger and homelessness (90 New Haven Ave. Milford)

Please contact Dick Popilowski at 203.362.9820 to participate!

Make a difference in the

lives of those in crisis

Beth-El Center | 203.876.0747 | bethecenterct.org