Background: In early 2025, due to a substantial increase in the number of unhoused people looking for overnight shelter during the winter months, MTMUMC opened our fellowship hall as a No Freeze Overflow site for the 2024-25 No Freeze season which runs from mid-November to mid-April each year, depending on temperatures. For the second winter season, our church hosted the first 6 weeks of the program. Other community partners agreed to cover overflow sites for the balance of the 2025-26 season. As we approach the fall, Beth El Center will provide guidance about overflow space needs for the upcoming 2026-27 No Freeze season.
About the program: Beth El staff and community volunteers welcome guests that are in need of a warm and safe space to sleep for the night. Shifts in the program are divided into set up, clean up, and 2 waking shifts to cover the overnight hours. The Milford no-freeze program is led by Beth-El, but remains heavily dependent on the support of the community as the city confronts this growing need to shelter people during the harsh Connecticut winter. The program for No Freeze 2024-25 served 206 individuals (and 18 pets) according to Beth-El Center director Jenn Paradis, and that number increased significantly for the 2025- to 339 individuals!
Training: Training is required for all volunteers prior to signing up for a shift. If interested, we would love for you to sign up for a Training by clicking here: No Freeze Shelter Overflow Program Volunteer Training.
For additional questions, please contact Beth-El Center Executive Director, Jenn Paradis, directly by emailing JParadis@bethelmilford.org or calling (203) 876.0747 x 101.
