14 Old Tote Road, Orleans, MA 02653                         

Phone: 508-255-9667;  Toll free:  877-349-6962 

Hours: Orleans:  Mon.- Fri. 9 am-4 pm  Provincetown:  Thurs. 9:30 am-1:30 pm 

Program Director:  Chris Austin                                 

Website:  Homeless Prevention Council

The Homeless Prevention Council, formerly the Interfaith Council for the Homeless, seeks to prevent homelessness in the eight towns of the lower and outer cape by identifying those people in danger of becoming homeless before it happens.  

Core Program:  

HPC works with a client for as long as it takes to resolve immediate problems and create a plan to put the client on the road to financial stability.  Among their services, they help to find and access housing programs and funding through government and other human services agencies, advocate and negotiate with landlords and banks for rent and mortgage adjustments, and help the client with budgeting.

Other Programs:

    Adopt-A-Family:  Each December, HPC invites children of clients to submit “wish lists,” which are matched with donors, in an aim to bring holiday cheer to the families.  Gifts range from bicycles to hats and winter coats.  About 300 children from over 130 families enjoy the benefits of this program each year.

   Backpacks to School:  Each fall, HPC runs a backpack program for students who are children of clients. HPC purchases backpacks, and donors fill them with notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, dictionaries, etc. Each year, about 100 children from 50 families receive these school supplies. 

    Outer Cape Office:  HPC established an office in 2004 in the Provincetown United Methodist Church, which is co-located with the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP).  The office provides information, advice and casework as needed.  

    Duffy Mobile Health Clinic:  The Duffy Mobile Health Clinic is stationed each Wednesday in the HPC parking lot and is available for HPC clients in need of medical check-ups and referrals.

    Lower Cape Lunch (LOCAL):  HPC is the umbrella organization for the Lower Cape Lunch (LOCAL).  Local is a group of volunteers from area congregations who provide free hot meals and opportunities for socialization to all comers on Tuesdays at noon and Thursdays at 6:00 pm at the St. Joan of Arc Church on Canal Road in Orleans.

Special Fundraisers:

    Shaw’s Community Rewards Program:  If a donor’s Shaw’s Reward Card is registered online and HPC is designated as the recipient charity, Shaw’s will donate 1% of all purchases made on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday automatically to HPC.  There is no cost to the donor.

    Food Gift Card Program:  Because it is a non-profit, HPC can purchase food gift cards for use at Stop & Shop, Shaw’s, Friend’s and Phoenix at 95% of face value, and then sell it at face value for a 5% profit. The food cards can be used like cash or a debit card. There is no additional cost to the buyer other than the normal supermarket expense.  

    Annual Gala:  HPC hosts an annual fundraising gala, this year on May 8, 2009 from 6-10 PM at the Carriage House at Ocean Edge in Brewster. This event features elegant hors d’oeurves, silent and live auctions, live music and a cash bar.

    Good News Garage:  Good News Garage (GNG), LSS and HPC have entered into an arrangement in which GNG provides vehicles for HPC to assign to clients who need affordable and reliable transportation. GNG accepts donated cars, trucks and vans that are either repaired or, if it is a luxury car or older or high mileage vehicle needing significant repair, is sold to raise money to repair cars.      

Support:   HPC is supported by private donations and grants.

PLEASE WRITE ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS BELOW. OTHER COMMENTS ARE ALSO WELCOME.