Project for the Homeless (PFH) is a student organization that staffs two small homeless shelters in Manhattan, the men's shelter at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue and the women's shelter at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. New York State law requires that a non-homeless volunteer stay overnight at the shelters. By sending Columbia and Barnard students, PFH ensures that the two shelters remain open for the men and women who are on track to receive permanent housing from the City of New York.

 What exactly do I do?

Students usually sign up for two or three nights per semester, but you are welcome to volunteer as often as you like. Once you sign up for a night, a coordinator will contact you, take you down to the shelter, and explain in detail what you need to do. Generally, you arrive at the shelter in the evening (7:30-9pm depending on shelter) and leave at around 6-6:30am the next morning. Your only obligations that evening are to put away perishable food and turn off the lights in the shelter room around 10pm. For the rest of the time, you are free to do homework or chat with the guests, who are always friendly and eager to talk. You sleep in your own room with two beds (students often volunteer with a friend). In the morning, you wake the guests up at 5:30am and help them put the room back in order. That's it. You're back on campus by 7am.

 Where are the shelters?

Women's shelter:
New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023
(64th St. at Central Park West)
Shelter Director: Maria Friedman, (718) 263-5490
Men's shelter:
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
30 West 68th Street, New York, NY 10023
(68th St. between Columbus and Central Park West)
Shelter Director: Robin Randazzo, (917) 353-3797 (cell), (212) 799-8156 (home)

 Are the shelters safe?

The shelters we staff are designed to help the homeless who are trying to get back on their feet.  The men and women in the shelters are screened before they are allowed in the program: they are all drug and alcohol-free, many have jobs, and all are in programs to help them find permanent housing.  The shelter residents eagerly welcome PFH and are appreciative of the assistance of Columbia and Barnard student volunteers.

 What nights can I go?

PFH staffs the women's shelter on Sunday nights only (2 volunteers required); and the Stephen Wise men's shelter on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights (1 volunteer required). Both male and female volunteers may stay at both shelters, and you are always more than welcome to bring a friend. See our volunteer calendar for the latest schedule of free nights.

 Affiliations

PFH is sponsored by Community Impact.

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