Abraham’s Tent

Abraham’s Tent is a community-based program with Columbus House which, through the generosity of local religious congregations and organizations, provides shelter and case management for 12 adult men for 17 weeks from December through March in Greater New Haven. On a rotating basis, volunteers from each host site provide shelter, meals, and fellowship from early evening through breakfast each day for one week.

BEKI has participated as a “supporting partner” since the winter of 2011-12, working closely with the Church of the Holy Spirit (COHS) in West Haven. The partnership has been really wonderful, and now, as our roles reverse and BEKI becomes a primary host site, we look forward to continuing to work our work together in this wonderful program.

BEKI will host Abraham’s Tent from March 9th to March 15th, 2015.

The Abraham’s Tent participants must apply before the winter to participate. Once chosen and the program begins, the men arrive in the late afternoon daily to Columbus House, are interviewed to make sure they are in suitable condition to participate that day, shower, collect or store their belongings and bedding, and travel together by van to that week’s host location, arriving by about 6pm with several members of the Columbus House staff. After settling in, participants and volunteers dine and spend the evening together. The men will spend a comfortable, warm and safe overnight at BEKI, with several BEKI or COHS volunteers on-site. In the early morning, breakfast is served for all, and the van will transport the participants to Columbus House to continue their daily activities. They will return each night of that week to BEKI. All case management is done by professionals from Columbus House.

Most host organization prepare meals through pot-luck participation of their members. Because of BEKI’s kashrut standards, all meals will either be prepared in the BEKI kitchen or through an approved kosher caterer.

Over the last 5 years, many of the men who participated in this program have moved to transitional or permanent housing. Each works with a case manager to figure out their best next step.

The BEKI Tikun Olam Committee is proud to be able to coordinate BEKI’s effort in this worthwhile project.