HISTORY

The Burlington Emergency Shelter is a Christian homeless shelter in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont. It was founded in 1982, and while we work closely with other area homeless shelters, we are not affiliated with any of them.  Our mission is to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of homeless men and women in the Chittenden County area. Paying particular attention to rehabilitation, the Shelter encourages and works with all guests toward finding work and permanent housing, and acts as a support and referral center for those who have serious problems which prevent them from access to permanent employment. The Burlington Emergency Shelter (BES) was the first homeless shelter in the area to provide a separate men’s and women’s sleeping quarters, the first to initiate a requirement for job and housing search (with staff assistance), the first to require daily chores, and the first to initiate a zero tolerance policy toward drug and alcohol usage.

We are supervised by a board of directors which meets six times during the year to oversee the ministry, review the operations and budget, make suggestions, plan fundraisers, and set the ministry direction. Our board of directors is very important to us and we appreciate their support, direction, and wisdom.

BES provides two programs from its 89 North Street facility:

• A homeless shelter for sixteen adult men and four adult women.

• A Good Neighbor self-help program for recovering substance abuse or ex-inmate men (total of 8) who desire to return to a productive role in society.

BES’s operating philosophy has always been:

• Private financial support from individuals, local churches, and businesses (absolutely no federal or state funding sources).
• Admittance to the Shelter is completely non-discriminatory with the only requirement being the person must be truly homeless.
• To steer individuals away from the welfare system and toward a productive life style in society.
• To work closely with all area churches to provide fellowship support for each person desiring such support.
• To work closely with all other area agencies to meet the health, employment, addiction recovery, mental health, and housing needs of homeless individuals who arrive at our door.

The Shelter’s guests come from all over Vermont, the Northeast, and indeed from the whole world. There is no residency requirement for admission to the Shelter and no charge to the guest for staying here.  Each evening we provide a nutritious meal as well as the comfort of a warm, safe, Christian environment.

The Good Neighbor Program residents (all male) are referred from two main sources. One is the homeless shelter itself, where individuals make application to the program and are screened “in house." The other source is from the Department of Corrections (DOC) or Prison Ministries at the Vermont State Correctional Facilities. We work very closely with these organizations to assure the Good Neighbor Program is a good fit for the individual. This program typically serves 4 ex-inmates and 4 individuals with substance abuse issues at any given time (they must be sober and actively working on remaining sober). 

The Good Neighbor Program, briefly stated, consists of the following commitments:

• A minimum commitment of three months and a maximum commitment of one year (subject to individual review and needs).
• Two Bible study periods per week (Monday and Friday at 5:00PM).
• A mid week Good Neighbor meeting to discuss progress and mutual problems.
• A commitment to attend at least one 12 Step meeting per week (more frequent meetings may be required during the first 3 months of the program), if applicable.
• A commitment to find a full time job within the initial 3-month period, if the individual is physically and mentally able to hold a permanent job.
• A commitment to save 75% of earned income and demonstrate same. This involves establishing a bank account and learning finance management.
• A commitment to 4 hours of project work at the Shelter per week (normally Saturday mornings). If not working, there is a commitment of 40 hours of service work at the Shelter per week.
• A commitment to pay a $80.00 per week Program Fee to cover program expenses. This is not room rent; however, it serves to teach individuals financial responsibility.
• A commitment to attend counseling sessions and training opportunities at BES and other supporting agencies. There are checkpoints at each three month period to assess progress and to establish any necessary changes to the individual program plan.
• A commitment to remain in good standing with all parole or furlough requirements as set by the Parole Officer or DOC, if applicable.
• A commitment to participate in a six month aftercare program.

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Last updated July 14, 2008
Copyright 2005, The Burlington Emergency Shelter