UUA and United Way Welcome Families Seeking Shelter

The image reads 'Guest Families Staying Temporarily at UUA Headquarters Need the Following Items: Diapers (disposable, multiple sizes); Baby wipes; Baby bottles (new); Baby gear: clothing, including warm clothing (new only please, sizes 0-3) and high chairs' with the URL UUA.org/New-England/News/Safety-Net-Shelter on a maroon and purple background next to a picture of 24 Farnsworth.

More Information About the Temporary Shelter

Donations

  • Immediate needs include:
    • Diapers (disposable, multiple sizes)
    • Baby wipes
    • Baby bottles (new only please)
    • Baby clothing (new only please, sizes 0-3):
      • Including warm clothing
    • High chairs and strollers
      • Gently used okay; please no rips, tears, stains, or missing pieces
  • If you would like to drop off donations to 24 Farnsworth Street directly, please contact Segree Bowen at sbowen@uua.org, UUA Hospitality Services Manager, ahead of time to set up a drop off appointment. Alternatively, please check our congregational drop off sites below to find one conveniently located to you.
  • Financial donations are an efficient and effective way to get involved. Please send funds to United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Alternatively, the shelters managed by United Way of Massachusetts Bay have an Amazon wishlist if you are interested in donating essentials.
  • Donations will be accepted at the following congregations:
    • First Parish Church in Beverly Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm at 225 Cabot Street Beverly, MA. Once you are onsite, please use the back door on Briscoe Street and ring both doorbells.
    • First Church Boston Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm at 66 Marlborough Street Boston, MA. Please ring the main church doorbell upon arrival.
    • First Church in Belmont at 404 Concord Avenue Belmont, MA. Please leave donations at the table set up near the office. Drop off times as follows:
      • Sundays from 8:00am through 12:00pm
      • Mondays from 10:00am through 2:00pm; and, 5:00pm through 8:00pm
      • Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00am through 2:00pm
    • First Parish Malden Wednesdays 9:00am through 1:00pm at 2 Elm Street Malden, MA. If the door is locked, please reference the sign on the door with contact information.
      • If you need to arrange for a different drop off time to this site, please contact newengland@uua.org.
    • UU Society of Wellesley Hills at 309 Washington Street Wellesley, MA.
      • Tuesdays 9:00am through 2:00pm. Please leave donations in the bin outside, under the front porch door.
      • Wednesdays 10:00am through 1:00pm. Please leave donations in the bin outside, under the front porch door.
      • Thursdays 9:00am through 2:00pm. Please leave donations in the bin outside, under the front porch door.
      • Sundays 9:00am through 1:00pm. The church door will be open; please leave donations in the bin in the vestibule.
  • Other drop off sites around Boston will be posted as information is available.

The shelter at UUA Headquarters is a short-term shelter. There is an on-going housing crisis in Boston and surrounding areas, and nationwide. Housing is a basic human right. Please stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved, and do not hesitate to reach out to us in the New England Region at newengland@uua.org if you are interested in further organizing.

Please note, we call on everyone to respect the privacy, space, and humanity of the guests at the shelters. All children, and all people, deserve a safe place to sleep.