Whatever you're carrying...
bring it in
You have your own story and your own path forward.
And we will walk with you.
we see you
We can help if you are under the age of 25, and:
You have been sleeping somewhere not meant for human habitation, such as:
• in a park
• in an abandoned building
• in a car
• on the street
You are living in a place where you aren’t safe, such as:
• domestic violence
• sexual exploitation or survival sex
• threats due to gender identity or sexual orientation
You are moving frequently with no stable place to stay
You will be homeless in the next 2 weeks
If that applies to you...
Reach Out Today
Call
Call 211 from a landline OR from a cell phone: Call 1-800-203-1234 to reach Infoline. Press 3, then 1 to reach a housing specialist.
Please contact us at youthinfoct@gmail.com
Youth Navigators
Call or text 203-814-1354 to speak with a professional who can help you to find solutions and/or connect to resources if you are experiencing a housing crisis. Navigators will be available Mondays and Thursdays 10am – 1pm and Fridays 10am – 2pm.
Resources For Minors
If you are under 18 years old and need assistance, and you are…
- From the Greater Bridgeport Community, please call The Janus Center, a program of Council of Churches. Their Crisis Hot Line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help, call 203-374-9473.
- From any community in Fairfield County (such as Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, etc.), please call the Kids in Crisis Helpline which is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For help, call 203-661-1911.
Peer Support
Call or text 203-814-1358 to speak with a young adult who can provide support and guidance if you are experiencing a housing crisis. Peer Support Specialists will be available Wednesdays from 10am – 12pm, Thursdays from 1-2pm, and Fridays from 11am – 1pm.
here’s what to expect
Our goal is to give you options to resolve your housing crisis. We’ll keep our conversation confidential, and you have the right to turn down any assistance that is offered.
If you call 211 or the 800 number to reach Infoline, you will speak to a housing specialist.
Your first call could take 15-to-45 minutes. Please don’t get discouraged. They will ask you about your situation and for some identifying information. If necessary, they will give you an appointment with a Navigator within 1-2 days. When you connect with a Navigator, they may ask you some personal questions to better understand your unique situation and assist you in problem-solving. This could mean helping you avoid a homeless episode, providing a connection to temporary shelter, and/or finding more permanent housing solutions.
If you connect with a Navigator during online office hours, you do not have to provide identifying information.
You can ask questions and remain anonymous. However, if you decide to take some next steps to stabilize your situation, the Navigator will assist you in making the call to 211, try to better understand your situation and help you problem-solve. You will be in control of your choices.
If you send an email, we will do our best to get back to you within 24 hours.
Please clarify the best way to reach you (call, text, or email). Also, make sure you type in your contact information correctly and let us know if there are better times to reach you. It is often helpful to also include an emergency contact (friend or family member) in case your phone gets lost or loses service.
Our Commitment to You
We will respect your privacy. Your conversations with us are confidential.
We are in this together. We are here to listen without judgment and work with you to better understand what you need.
No matter your situation, we will help you navigate the available resources and explore possible solutions. We can also assist with basic needs, connection to benefits, and connections to other community supports.
If you change your mind or don’t like what’s being offered, we will, to the best of our ability, walk with you on the path of your choice.
Your Participation
Please remember our system is not perfect, and sometimes our resources are limited. If you keep an open mind, we can help you explore and learn about all of the options available to you. What we offer may not be the ideal or immediate solution to your problem, but we will do our best to help you improve your situation.
We work best when we work together. Let us know how we can always reach you. Please make every effort to stay connected and be responsive.
Let us know when you hit a barrier. If something is getting in the way of our work together or preventing you from moving forward, please let us know so we can assist you. Being open and honest about your situation can sometimes be difficult and scary, but it will allow us to partner more effectively and craft solutions to meet your individual needs.
IN AN EMERGENCY
If you’re in immediate danger, call:
911 to get immediate assistance if you feel like hurting yourself or if you have been hurt by someone else
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text CTL to 741741 Survivor Services
National Human Trafficking Hotline @ 888-373-7888
or text 233733
Bridgeport: Center for Family Justice, call the Domestic Abuse Hotline @ 203-384-9559 or the Sexual Assault Hotline
@ 203-333-2233
Norwalk and Stamford: call Domestic Violence Crisis Center
@ 888-774-2900
Danbury: call Women’s Center of Greater Danbury
@ 203-731-5206
WHO WE ARE
Opening Doors Fairfield County is a coalition of more than 120 partners, including youth with lived experience of homelessness, who are working to prevent and end homelessness in Fairfield County. We coordinate the strategies of prevention, housing, employment, advocacy and services to ensure episodes of homelessness are rare, brief and non-recurring and that everyone in the region has access to safe, affordable housing.
