Eight years ago a group of community leaders from Mt. Kisco approached area clergy with a concern about those in our communities who would not have a place to stay as the winter approached.  Out of that conversation grew what has become the Emergency Shelter Partnership.  From the first winter when 4 congregations took turns hosting about 10 individuals for 11 weeks, the ESP has grown.  This past winter 18 congregations took turns providing shelter for between 20 and 30 individuals from the first week in November through the last week in March.  Since we began there has not been a death due to exposure in our communities.  The program has worked so well that it has served as a model that other communities have copied. 

Bedford Presbyterian Church was instrumental in beginning the ESP.  We were the first congregation to host the shelter, and leadership from BPC has provided key leadership as the ESP has grown.  This past year BPC agreed to become the Fiscal Sponsors for ESP as it takes steps to become a more stable organization.

Each winter BPC hosts the shelter for two weeks.  This coming winter we will host the shelter the week of December 12-18, 2011 and then again March 26-April 1, 2012.  Volunteers from BPC provide and serve a meal to those who stay with us, spend the night to support ESP's paid overnight supervisor and provide breakfast bags for individuals to take with them when they leave in the morning.

If you would like to help or would like more information about the ESP...
We begin recruiting volunteers to help about 3 weeks before our scheduled week (late November or early December 2010 and early March 2011.)  If you would like to help please call the church office (914.234.3672) or email Shirani Ponnambalam.  For additional information about ESP please visit its website: emergencyshelterinfo.blogspot.com