Homeless Shelter

Homeless Shelter

Jump to: Harvard Square Homeless Shelter | Harvard Square Summer Shelter

Harvard Square Homeless Shelter

In February of 1983, Harvard Divinity School student Stewart Guernsey worked with University Lutheran Church leaders to open a student-run emergency homeless shelter in the basement of the church building. Each winter since then, the Shelter has provided dinner, breakfast, and a place to sleep for 23 homeless men and women each night. It has also provided thousands of Harvard students and others with opportunities to learn about and serve the community around them.

The Shelter, which is open from November 1 to April 15, is directed entirely by students from Phillips Brooks House Association, Harvard’s student-run public service organization. In addition to these volunteer directors, students from many Boston-area colleges and universities, members of the UniLu congregation, and others from the community help with meal preparation, cleanup, etc. each evening.

The Shelter is funded by government and private contributions as well as donations from individuals. In 1997, the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter Corporation, an independent 501(c)3 organization, was formed to join University Lutheran in a campaign to improve the Shelter facilities.

For more information on volunteering, staying in the Shelter, or making a donation, email hshs.info@gmail.com.

Harvard Square Summer Shelter

UniLu has hosted the Harvard Square Summer Shelter, a seven-week student-run transitional housing program, since 2010. The Harvard Square Summer Shelter seeks to improve the lives of homeless individuals by offering a comprehensive range of resources needed to transition into permanent housing and employment. HSSS is directed by Harvard students and is a member of the Phillips Brooks House Association of Harvard University.

To support the Harvard Square Summer Shelter:

Shelter Volunteer Opportunities

Want to support the winter homeless shelter run by Harvard students in the church basement, which has been operating since 1983? Here are seven key ways to help during the shelter season (November 1 – April 15): Donate new or gently used and laundered blankets. Every year, the shelter hands out more than 500 blankets. Email the church office  for more information or…

Cooking for the Shelter

From November through April, UniLu members gather every Thursday evening to prepare and serve dinner for Harvard Square Homeless Shelter guests. For more about volunteering with others from UniLu, see Shelter Volunteer Opportunities. Volunteers from UniLu are also welcome to prepare meals at other times, particularly during school breaks; see these instructions for more.…