About - The Friendship Center

OUR MISSION

With community collaboration, our work is love made visible through supportive services and partnership with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

VISION

Because every human has value, we want to help create a world without homelessness.

REAL HELP SIMPLY STARTS WITH FRIENDSHIP

The mission of the Friendship Center is to provide direct service to people at risk or experiencing homelessness in Central Connecticut, including the ownership and operation of shelter and housing. Outreach starts simply by reaching out. Providing care services starts simply with caring. The Friendship Center is a place where the hungry are fed, the homeless are sheltered, and everyone is welcome. We believe that every act of generosity and kindness can transform the world for those around us.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

We provide a continuum of services for men, women and children who are at risk or experiencing homelessness in Central Connecticut. These services range from basic outreach to those living on the streets, to emergency shelter for families and individuals, and transitional living and permanent supportive housing options for those who are transitioning out of homelessness.

We offer meals for the community each day in the Tomasso Family Community Dining Room and work to prevent homelessness through the Emergency Needs Program. Since 1968, the Friendship Service Center of New Britain, Inc. has been a place that those in difficulty could rely on, and with your support, it continues to do so.

WE ALL SHARE IN OUR FRIEND’S SUCCESS

We all deserve a second chance when life surprises us with hardship. And there are cases that have truly shown us the strength of friendship in such hard times- people whose time with us has been transformative. We like to call them miracles, purely because of the extent of their recovery. It truly shows the possibilities that become real when a proper intervention is successful. What just a little help can bring to someone’s life. And it’s all down to the work of our selfless and hard-working volunteers that these miracles are possible.

Meet our Team

Key Staff Members

Caitlin Rose, Executive Director – crose@fsc-ct.org

Caitlin brings a wealth of experience to The Friendship Center in the fields of homeless services and programs from Los Angeles to New Haven. Her career has encompassed additional roles focused on transitional housing and programs for those in need. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist in California and Connecticut. Her direct-service and leadership work in street outreach, drop-in center services, shelter diversion and rapid-rehousing has always been centered by her clinical background, with a large focus on continuous quality improvement and evidence-based practices. She is a frequent contributor on local, statewide and national panels, and conferences on topics related to coordinated entry and diversion.

Suzy Rivera, Director of Finance – srivera@fsc-ct.org

Suzy has been an integral part of the success and services at the Friendship Center since 2000. Her hard work and attention to detail ensure that many data, human resource, and program functions excel and are operational. Suzy has a degree in Accounting and Divinity. Reverend Suzy is ordained in the United Methodist Church.

Barbara Lazarski, Development & Communications Director – blazarski@fsc-ct.org

Barbara brings significant leadership skills and experience in the nonprofit sector. While stepping in as the Interim Executive Director, she is also the Development/Communications/Outreach Director, where she works with community partners and friends of the Friendship Center to provide the critical resources necessary to remove barriers and life challenges that resulted in homelessness for individuals and families. Please reach out to Barbara by phone 860.225.0211 or email if you are interested in volunteering or making a donation.

Yeharar Stephen, Director of Programs – ystephen@fsc-ct.org

Yeharar is a results-focused, quality-driven senior leader with extensive experience in human service policies and operations, consultative support, professional development with deep knowledge of human resource functions, and demonstrates consistent achievement in program development and compliance. Yeharar holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a certificate in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling and is a Licensed Practical Counselor.

Board of Directors

Financial Statements

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