History

Contemporary homelessness started to impact the Milford community by 1980. In 1981, an interfaith group founded the Combined Parishes Action Committee (CPAC), opened a soup kitchen in St. Peters Episcopal Church, and in 1986, opened a shelter for homeless men, women and families. We moved to 90 New Haven Avenue in 1995.

For the past 40 years, the Beth-El Center, Inc. has provided emergency food and shelter programs for the Greater Milford community. In the early 1980s, homelessness was considered a person's identity rather than an experience in their life. Today, the Center is about transformation.

Through an outcome-based, data-driven, coordinated system, the Center works to improve the daily experience of homelessness and systematically end homelessness. While shelter saves lives, housing ends homelessness. Beth-El is determined to create a space in which unhoused people can access the appropriate housing-specific and support services necessary to end their homelessness and prevent recidivism.

During our time at 90 New Haven Avenue, the Center has evolved from an all-volunteer operation with two core programs, to an organization with 13 full-time employees, 15 part-time employees and over 120 volunteers, supporting six distinct programs. We provide a continuum of crisis support, including Diversion, Outreach and Engagement, No Freeze Shelter Services, Emergency Shelter for men, women, veterans and families, Permanent Supportive Housing and Community Kitchen services.

Walk down memory lane with us!

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