| Below is a message from the Pacific House:
If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an entire community to help homeless people find a home and hope in Fairfield County.
And it begins at home base. We are incredibly thankful for our staff, team members, board members, and extended family of Pacific House. Without the heart and soul of our organization, we wouldn't be where we are today.
Join us to remember Pacific House family members that we lost and who made a lasting contribution in shaping our organization and the lives of those we serve, and please help us continue their legacy.
Patricia C. Phillips, Co-Founder
With an unwavering drive to help those that are less fortunate in lower Fairfield County, Patricia Phillips recognized that homelessness in our area was becoming increasingly undeniable in 1983 and stepped forward to co-found Pacific House. "We knew of a property on Pacific Street that was available. I became the Director of Development, armed with a Rolodex and a phone."
She went on to help raise over $2 million to purchase the property. "I was fortunate to have people that would open doors for me," she said. Through the years, her steadfast leadership in support of our mission and tireless service continued. In 2013, the first affordable housing property owned and managed by Pacific House was named in her honor, The Patricia C. Phillips House in recognition of her vision, generosity, and commitment to helping the community. Pat passed away in December 2020.
Click Below To Learn More:
Jane Surmaczewicz, Office Manager
Our beloved office manager for over 12 years, Jane Surmaczewicz passed away in March. Jane was greatly appreciated for her patience, kindness, and skill, and in turn, she highly valued the rapport and friendships she fostered with her co-workers. Jane’s strong belief in the mission of Pacific House was deeply felt, and she never missed an event in support of the organization, large or small.
We are indebted to Jane for her longtime service to our organization. She will be greatly missed but will live forever in our hearts.
Velma Clark, Property Manager
Long considered the "heart and soul" of the Pacific House emergency shelter, Velma Clark passed away last year and is deeply missed. Her work at Pacific House began 23 years ago, working at the shelter’s front desk on weekends while she worked two other jobs.
Over time she grew to manage operations for all of the organization’s properties, as well as overseeing parts of the emergency shelter. The transformation in shelter clients was the most rewarding part of her job. “Sometimes I do intake on clients. You can see it from the time they come in, they are so broken, so ashamed."
Velma’s strong, caring spirit and unforgettable laugh will always remain a part of Pacific House.
Video: Good-Bye Dear Velma
Lee Terrell, Board Member
Pacific House Board Member Lee Terrell passed away last year and while he came to our organization with extensive human resource management and labor relations experience, it will be his community work for which he is most remembered.
“As a resident, I’m interested in the work Pacific House does for our community, and I’m impressed by the shift in emphasis over the years from a focus on the shelter to creating affordable housing that is the long-term solution to homelessness,” said Terrell in a 2018 interview.
Lee’s leadership and powerful sense of personal responsibility to make a difference is greatly missed.
Meal-a-Month program
Whether you have been volunteering for years or are a new volunteer, your involvement means the world to those who need it the most and will enjoy the food you provide.
Thank you for your help, commitment, and all that you do to support Pacific House clients. Your donations help us and our mission, which, in turn, helps our community’s health and safety.
For questions about our Meal-a-Month Program, please contact Jennifer Broadbin, Business Development Manager, P 203 406-0017 ext. 305, or jbroadbin@pacifichouse.org |
