Since its founding in 1982, the Dr. Maria Fridman Women’s Shelter has been providing shelter to homeless women who are dispatched from a drop-in center where they are assisted in housing search, are provided with a hot meal and have the opportunity to take a shower. They cannot, however, stay the night and that’s where we and other respite bed sites come in. Cots, bedding and transportation are provided by the drop-in centers. Ethical Culture will provide 5 beds for 3 nights per week, initially, with a post-pandemic soft reopening of the shelter.

Our guests come from all walks of life.  Some have advanced college degrees and became homeless through a combination of unfortunate life events.  Some have had to cope with abusive home situations, lost a job or their job doesn’t pay enough to afford market rate housing, or they have health problems that led to the loss of housing.  All of them are working hard to get out of homelessness: working, seeking employment, or participating in work training. They receive social services and/or counseling coordinated by CAMBA and The Gathering Place Drop-In Center.

Our shelter, which was named in 2016 in honor of the late Dr. Maria Friedman who single-handedly coordinated volunteers for over 30 years, provides the welcomed respite to these hard-working women.  Without a good night sleep, no one can be fully effective in their work and day activities. 

The shelter is staffed entirely by volunteers, with most committing to one night per month.  Volunteers are organized by a coordinator who is paid a small annual stipend. We provide evening snacks, sundry items, and cable television for entertainment.  

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Shelter Volunteers’ Coordinator at [email protected]