What We Do
New Reach has spent decades developing a comprehensive approach that provides immediate crisis relief while successfully preventing homelessness and breaking the cycle for the future.
Prevention | Crisis Services | Housing | FISH
Our Mission
New Reach inspires independence for people affected by homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity by providing a continuum of housing, nourishment, and supportive services using the most innovative and progressive methods
Our Vision
Our vision is that all children, families and individuals have a safe, secure, affordable home and food with the services and support necessary to achieve a fulfilling, self-reliant life.
The 3 Ways We Build Hopeful Futures
Prevention
Crisis Services
Housing
Prevention
Keeping families housed and preventing homelessness and hunger before it begins.
Stable Families Program
With a 88% success rate in preventing evictions, our Stable Families Program provides intensive case management and tailored support to help families in Fairfield County achieve long-term stability.
Through partnerships, landlord mediation, legal services, employment and education referrals, and government program linkages, we offer the resources families need to stay housed.
Stable Families is almost entirely supported by private donations from Fairfield County Community Foundation and the Oecshle Family Foundation.
We connect households with a network of resources:
Healthcare
Education
Cultural & Civic Entities
“If it wasn’t for New Reach, people like me wouldn’t get that second chance.”
Diversion Program
Families seeking shelter start by calling 2-1-1 and are connected with New Reach staff who help them find immediate alternatives. If needed, we provide services or financial aid to secure housing.
In 2024, over 2,000 women, men and children were diverted from homelessness.
Our diversion program reduces homelessness, shelter demand, and waitlists.
Emergency Shelters
A safe and supportive refuge
New Reach operates two clean, safe, and supportive shelters in the City of New Haven. These shelters have the capacity to serve 18 individual women and 23 women with children every day as they work toward reestablishing permanent housing and long-term independence.
Last year, 240 individuals were able to seek refuge in our shelters—47% of them were children. Over the last few years, as we’ve begun diverting families from shelter if they have any other option, we’ve noticed that our shelter guests have greater casework needs. The average length of time that an individual stays with us in shelter is 67 days, and a family stays slightly longer with an average stay of 106 days.
We’re proud to say that, because of our experienced staff and intensive casework, 74% of our shelter guests moved on with a positive outcome to permanent housing last year—far better than the statewide average of 53%.
Crisis Services
Helping individuals and families regain stability when they need it most through our Emergency Shelters and FISH food delivery program,
Life Haven Shelter for mothers and children
Martha’s Place Shelter for single women
“At Life Haven, my kids were able to be kids again. We had warmth, meals, and people who genuinely cared. It was the turning point for our family.”
FISH
Food In Service to the Homebound
FISH delivers free, nutritious groceries directly to homebound individuals, ensuring families facing food insecurity have one less barrier to stability. Founded in 1968, FISH merged with New Reach in 2023, becoming part of our comprehensive network of programs that support neighbors in crisis and help them move toward lasting self-sufficiency.
Housing
Offering safe, stable, and affordable housing with the support needed to build brighter futures.
Geller Commons - 33 unit permanent supportive housing, opened in 2015
Supportive Housing
Long-term services and financial assistance support for families, individuals and youth living with disabilities including mental health diagnoses and chronic health conditions to support long term housing stability. In total, New Reach manages 239 supportive housing units for families and individuals.
Portsea Place
New Reach’s youth supportive housing facility serves formerly homeless clients ages 18 through 24.
Project Longevity
New Reach is the housing support partner within a citywide collaboration including New Haven Police, Probation, Clifford Beers and more. In FY24 we helped 37 people secure housing.
Rapid Re-Housing
Short-term rental assistance coupled with supportive services to quickly reestablish permanent housing and regain lasting independence. In the past three years, 76% were housed within 60 days. Last year, program services were delivered to 137 households including 370 adults and children.
