West River Tent Village
Donation protected
In May 2020, with the support and assistance of the Amistad Catholic Worker house of hospitality located on Rosette Street in the Hill neighborhood of New Haven, a small handful of residents sleeping outdoors in the vicinity of City Hall relocated to an encampment between the West River and Ella Grasso Boulevard.
Having grown to nearly 20 residents, the village has become an organised, self-governing tent-based community, prohibiting the use of drugs and alcohol in the village, following CDC recommendations for social distancing and fire safety measures reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshall. The village has been visited by various city staff members including the Mayor and now seeks to make preparations to adapt to the cold weather, sustaining itself as an on-going community rather than potentially dispersing individually to shelters, warming centers, or the street.
For a contribution of $150, you can provide a resident with all the essential supplies they need to stay warm and safe through the upcoming winter months. This includes a 4-season Coleman "mummy style" sleeping bag, upgraded tent, heavy duty blanket, supplemental industrial tarp covering, and electric heating pads. The goal is also to provide each resident with an individual solar powered rechargeable battery unit that can be used as a light source and a means of recharging personal electronics. 100% of the money contributed will be going directly to supplies and the expansion/improvement of communal spaces, heating sources, solar panel upgrades and batteries.
In addition to continuing their normal meals and support to the community, the Amistad Catholic Worker house of hospitality (located less than a mile from the West River Village) will provide communal heated space for residents to conduct community meetings during the height of winter.
While monetary contributions are greatly appreciated, we also welcome any time, expertise, or suggestions! The Village was recently featured in a news article: https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/It-s-protecting-the-people-New-Haven-15777542.php
Having grown to nearly 20 residents, the village has become an organised, self-governing tent-based community, prohibiting the use of drugs and alcohol in the village, following CDC recommendations for social distancing and fire safety measures reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshall. The village has been visited by various city staff members including the Mayor and now seeks to make preparations to adapt to the cold weather, sustaining itself as an on-going community rather than potentially dispersing individually to shelters, warming centers, or the street.
For a contribution of $150, you can provide a resident with all the essential supplies they need to stay warm and safe through the upcoming winter months. This includes a 4-season Coleman "mummy style" sleeping bag, upgraded tent, heavy duty blanket, supplemental industrial tarp covering, and electric heating pads. The goal is also to provide each resident with an individual solar powered rechargeable battery unit that can be used as a light source and a means of recharging personal electronics. 100% of the money contributed will be going directly to supplies and the expansion/improvement of communal spaces, heating sources, solar panel upgrades and batteries.
In addition to continuing their normal meals and support to the community, the Amistad Catholic Worker house of hospitality (located less than a mile from the West River Village) will provide communal heated space for residents to conduct community meetings during the height of winter.
While monetary contributions are greatly appreciated, we also welcome any time, expertise, or suggestions! The Village was recently featured in a news article: https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/It-s-protecting-the-people-New-Haven-15777542.php
Organizer and beneficiary
Jacob Miller
Organizer
New Haven, CT
Luz Catarineau Colville
Beneficiary