There are several programs operating in and around Lyme that can help individuals and families who may be experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The first step for connecting successfully to these programs should be to contact Lyme’s Social Services Director Kathy Tisdale at 860-575-0541.
Homelessness & Housing Instability
- New London Homeless Hospitality Center. The Homeless Hospitality Center offers a place of safety and welcome to adults facing homelessness in Lyme and across Southeastern Connecticut. The center collaborates with dozens of public and private programs and agencies to address the underlying causes of homeless for each individual or family, and works to find them permanent housing as quickly as possible. For more information, go here.
- Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA). TVCCA is a nonprofit organization that can help with housing assistance. For more information, go here. (The organization also provides residents with help in education, employment, energy assistance, food and nutrition, and financial services.)
- Connecticut Department of Children and Families. This state department’s Supportive Housing for Families (SHF) program provides housing services and intensive case management services to qualified families in situations where a lack of appropriate housing may present a barrier to reunification. The SHF program also prevents children from being removed from their families due to inadequate housing or homelessness. For more information, go here.
Health & Wellness
- Lyme-Old Lyme Town Nurse. Denise Piersa, the town nurse, holds regular office hours at the Lymes’ Senior Center from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays – during which time residents can walk in with no appointment necessary. Residents can also arrange to meet with her by appointment at the center. The town nurse also offers preventive home visits to residents of Lyme, as well as phone consultations for those reluctant to have visitors in their home. Residents can contact the town nurse at 860-434-7808 or at oldlymevna@gmail.com. For more information, go here.
- Old Lyme Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). The Old Lyme VNA offers a variety of services to Lyme residents of all ages with the goal of improving their health, safety and well-being. The association coordinates with the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut to provide skilled nursing and other professional health services to patients at home who are willing to have house visits. For more information, go here.
- Lymes’ Senior Center. The senior center offers a variety of health and exercise programs for residents age 55 and over. For more information, click here.
Food Assistance
- SNAP. For information on applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program offered through the USDA, please contact Lyme’s Social Services Director Kathy Tisdale at 860-575-0541.
- Meals on Wheels. For information on the local Meals on Wheels program, which is operated by the Estuary Council of Seniors for residents 60 years of age and older, go here.
- Food Pantry. The closest food pantry to Lyme is operated by the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries on Saturday mornings, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme at 2 Ferry Road in Old Lyme. For more information, go here.
Other Resources
- Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau (LYSB). LYSB provides assistance to residents in need of social services and offers a number of its own services and programs that can help parents and families in need. For more information, go here.
- 211CT. 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, information and referral service that can connect residents to essential health and human services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online or over the phone. For more information, dial 211 or go here.
Volunteering To Help
Lyme residents can volunteer to support the efforts of these organizations and programs fighting homelessness:
- New London Homeless Hospitality Center. For information on volunteering at the center, go here.
- Thames Valley Council for Community Action. For information on volunteering for the council, go here.
- Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. For information on volunteering for the organization’s food pantry in Old Lyme, go here.
- Estuary Council of Seniors. For information on volunteering for the council’s Meals on Wheels program, go here.
- Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau. For information on volunteering for the bureau or to see a comprehensive list of local organizations with volunteer opportunities, go here.