Greenwich Resident Honored at Pacific House Gala

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Over 475 community and business leaders attended the 16th Annual Pacific House Gala, raising more than $675,000 for the emergency shelter which serves Fairfield County. Photo credit: ChiChi Ubina, Fairfield County Look

Pacific House hosted its 16th Annual Pacific House Gala at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich on Oct. 6. The event, hosted by former Major League Baseball player and manager, Bobby Valentine, raised more than $675,000 to support the essential services provided by Pacific House, an emergency shelter for men and young adults, serving the communities of Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and beyond.

Greenwich resident Alice Melly was honored with the 2017 Foundation Award for her support of Pacific House for over 35 years. A former board member, Melly still regularly serves dinner at the emergency shelter. “Putting a roof over peoples’ heads during the ups and downs of recovery is important. It’s been an honor to see this organization grow,” said Melly.

First Congregational Church of Darien received the 2017 Community Award. The church has steadfastly supported Pacific House through volunteer efforts and substantial financial support for over 25 years.

Mayor David Martin spoke about the physical and emotional security the organization provides. “When we lose our home, it’s a threat to our emotional being. The ache for home lives in all of us, and what Pacific House does, is it keeps peoples’ emotional souls alive while helping them find their home.”

Pacific House Board Chair Peter Rugen with 2017 Foundation Award winner, Alice Melly. Photo credit: ChiChi Ubina, Fairfield County Look

A series of video presentations showcased the impact the organization is having on eliminating homelessness in our area, including video clips from three former participants in the Pacific House Young Adult Program who, thanks to the program, have gone from homeless to now entering college.

“Tonight there may be more people sleeping in the beds in the homes we have built than who might be staying in the emergency shelter,” said Pacific House Executive Director Rafael Pagan Jr., referencing the 65 units of housing the organization created and now manages. Three more homes owned by Pacific House are currently in development.

“We are very grateful to everyone who came out to support Pacific House,” said Andrew Barer, Pacific House Director of Development. “The funds raised tonight will help provide food and shelter, as well as case management services, recovery programming, employment training and the creation of housing. These services work together and are the key to supporting people as they journey towards independence and success – something we do each day at Pacific House.”

Pacific House would like to thank its dedicated gala committee led by Board Member Andrew M. Reid of Greenwich. Pacific House is grateful to its generous individual sponsors, and is indebted to our corporate sponsors: Titan Advisors, Harvey Dann/Wesfair, First County Bank, Rimrock Capital Management, Greenwich Hospital, Purdue Pharma L.P., Weeden & Co., Darien Rowayton Bank, Bankwell, Darien Rowayton Bank, Dooney & Bourke, Pitney Bowes, Thomson Reuters, and Webster Bank. Thanks are also offered to Foundation supporters: Orchard Farm Foundation, The Ruth & Hal Launders Charitable Trust and the Sandra Oster/Stephen Oster Foundation, and to media sponsors: Fairfield County Look and Stamford Magazine/Moffly Media.

Pacific House, formerly Shelter for the Homeless, is the only regional shelter for homeless men and young adults serving Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and the rest of Fairfield County. For 35 years, Pacific House has been serving our community by providing food, temporary shelter and an array of support services to homeless men and young adults. Pacific House helps clients get back on their feet by obtaining employment and finding permanent supportive housing so they may lead more independent and fulfilling lives. For more information, visit PacificHouse.org

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