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November 2024 Newsletter

 

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week: November 17-23

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week is coming up, and we invite you to be part of this important movement! Throughout the week, we will be sharing resources, and spotlighting powerful stories of resilience to raise awareness of homelessness and food insecurity in our own community. 

Make sure to follow our social media channels to keep up with ways to get involved. Let’s come together to drive change and bring attention to these vital issues.

 

Program Highlight: Code Blue Shelter

Keeping Hope Alive on the Coldest Nights

Our Code Blue program provides shelter to people facing homelessness in the Saratoga region during extreme winter weather, specifically when temperatures drop below 32°F. This NYS mandated program offers a warm, safe place to sleep, along with meals and hygiene supplies.

Code Blue aims to prevent weather-related injuries and deaths by ensuring no one has to sleep outside in severe cold. The shelter operates with the least amount of barriers to entry as possible, concentrating on rules that keep the shelter, staff, and guests safe. Guests receive a cot and hot meal which are supported by community donations and volunteers. The shelter also offers guests longer-term support services like case management and transitional housing.

 

 
 

Need help? Contact our Code Blue Shelter at:

120 S. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

518-599-8559

 

At our Code Blue shelter, we provide a safe and warm place for our community members experiencing homelessness during the harsh winter months. But we can’t do it alone—we need your help to make sure no one goes hungry.

Click the button to sign up to volunteer, or contact Stephanie for more information about meal donations: sromeo@sheltersofsaratoga.org

 
 
 
 

Construction Updates

We are on track for an early December opening of our Ballston Ave supportive housing location. Take a look at the nearly finished renovations!

 
 
 
 

Film For Thought: Queen Mimi

*Queen Mimi* (2015), directed by Yaniv Rokah, is an inspiring documentary that tells the story of Marie "Mimi" Haist, a spirited woman who became homeless in her 50s and eventually found refuge in a Los Angeles laundromat. Living there for almost two decades, Mimi became a local icon, winning the hearts of the community with her lively personality, resilience, and unwavering independence. Despite her difficult circumstances, Mimi exudes positivity and humor, making her not only a survivor but a beloved figure in the neighborhood. 

The film explores Mimi’s background, her unlikely friendships with celebrities like Zach Galifianakis and Renee Zellweger (who helped her secure housing), and her journey from hardship to finding a sense of belonging. Rokah, who was one of Mimi’s friends, captures her story with tenderness, highlighting the social and human aspects of homelessness while celebrating Mimi’s resilience and the power of human connection. *Queen Mimi* ultimately offers a poignant look at aging, homelessness, and the unexpected ways that love and friendship can bring light into even the darkest situations.

This touching documentary brings attention to important issues while allowing Mimi’s unforgettable personality to shine through, making it a must-watch for those interested in stories of resilience and the power of community.

Check out more of our Film for Thought series on our blog!

 
 


PO Box 3089  | Saratoga Springs, New York 12866
(518) 581-1097 | info@sheltersofsaratoga.org

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