Claremont’s Warm Welcome Shelter prepares to open its doors on Dec. 1 for its fourth winter season of providing overnight refuge for those experiencing homelessness.
What began in 2023 as a small discussion among members of Trinity Episcopal Church at 120 Broad Street has evolved into a formalized, community-wide response to winter instability. The shelter’s growth reflects a shifting local strategy for managing extreme cold and housing insecurity.
Page serves as the administrative manager for the organization, which currently utilizes 13 trained staff members and 43 volunteers to manage its nightly operations.
Evolution of a community response
The shelter’s current capacity and structure are the result of several years of incremental expansion and local regulatory adjustments.
In January 2024, the church initially offered only a warm space and coffee when temperatures fell below 32 degrees. While the Claremont Police and Fire Departments approved that arrangement, they determined that overnight stays were not permitted at that time.
By the winter of January through March 2025, the scope of the mission grew. The organization received permission to set up cots, allowing guests a place to stay warm overnight, though they were still unable to sleep there.
The transition to a full-service shelter solidified by December 2025, when the organization began opening a month earlier and extended its operations through the end of March. This expansion was supported by fundraising that allowed the shelter to hire and train paid staff, known as hosts, to oversee the overnight hours.
The shelter currently accommodates up to 24 guests each night. To maintain safety, two hosts are on duty at all times, with a third host called in if the guest count reaches 17 or more. These staff members arrive at 7:15 p.m. and may stay until 9 a.m.
Safety protocols include training in CPR and the use of Narcan. While the shelter experienced two incidents during a previous year, Page noted there were no overdoses during the most recent winter season.
Connecting guests to long-term stability
The Warm Welcome Shelter functions as a low-barrier facility, meaning guests are welcomed regardless of their specific circumstances. Beyond providing a bed, the organization focuses on connecting individuals to permanent resources through a network of local partners.
Representatives from these partner organizations visit the shelter in the mornings to meet with guests and help them access services. For example, Robin Wittemann, the director of Baby Steps, provides access to clothing, shower passes at the community center, and assistance with paperwork for food assistance, job applications, and disability benefits.
The shelter also assists guests in exploring housing opportunities, including Section 8 housing. Nutritional support is provided through the Claremont Soup Kitchen and Pantry, which supplies three to four meals each week along with various pantry items.
The operational logistics are split between the church and a fiscal sponsor. While Trinity Episcopal Church provides the physical space and volunteers, the Warm Welcome Shelter is responsible for utilities, repairs, and upkeep. Southwestern Community Services in Keene, N.H., serves as the fiscal sponsor, managing payroll, insurance, and the organization’s funds.
The financial requirements of winter relief
Maintaining a 24-hour safety net requires large amounts of capital. The shelter operates on an approximate budget of $115,000.
| Funding Source/Need | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Operating Budget | Approximately $115,000 |
| Government Grant | $4,000 received |
| Guest Capacity | Up to 24 guests per night |
| Staffing Model | 13 trained staff; 43 volunteers |
While the organization has received grants from Bar Harbor Bank and Claremont Savings Bank, as well as a $4,000 government grant, additional funding remains a priority. Several grant applications are currently pending.
Local fundraising events are scheduled to bridge the gap. Josh Hall will perform an acoustic guitar benefit concert at Trinity Episcopal Church on Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The Common Man has scheduled a dine-in fundraising event for Jan. 17, where 20% of proceeds will be donated to the shelter.
The organization has also identified specific in-kind needs for the upcoming months, including coffee, hot chocolate, sugar, nondairy creamer, toilet paper, and paper towels.
It is unclear whether the current mix of community donations and pending grants will cover the full $115,000 operating budget.
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