Our Roots & Story
Our Roots
We are a Christian, interdenominational organization, responding to the Gospel call to serve “the least of these.” We are rooted and centered in Christ’s unconditional love, and propelled forward by a deep commitment to each and every person that we serve. It is our hope that our actions and love for each person would be a glimmer of Jesus’ extravagant love and grace for each of us. Without judgment, we welcome each person into our caring community as they are, regardless of their history, struggles, and trials, offering each the support they need to rewrite their stories and to start ANEW.
Mother Teresa said,
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.”
At ANEW Place, it is our purpose to address both kinds of poverty. We invite those who feel forgotten, left behind, and alone into our community, and together we create a path with the necessary tools, so that each person has the opportunity to start ANEW.
We are a grassroots organization, by and for the community in which we serve. We are funded by community donations in order to offer unique services, centered in love and dignity, that foster growth for lifelong change. Join the movement and find out how you can get involved today!
We are a grassroots organization, by and for the community in which we serve. We are funded by community donations in order to offer unique services, centered in love and dignity, that foster growth for lifelong change. Join the movement and find out how you can get involved today!
Our Story
ANEW Place was founded in 1982 by a group of Vermonters with compassion and a deep commitment to the homeless community in Chittenden County. Started originally as the Burlington Emergency Shelter, the organization created a safe house for homeless adults.
Over the years, the organization has expanded its mission and launched innovative strategies with a holistic approach to support each guest toward lifelong change. In 2014, in response to our growing vision and new services, we changed our name from Burlington Emergency Shelter to ANEW Place.
Learn more about the story behind our name change and rebranding here.
We are proud of the work we did started in 2019 in providing a seasonal low-barrier shelter which turned into operating one of the first year-round, low-barrier emergency shelters in Vermont. In October of 2023, we passed the baton to other agencies to operate the Champlain Inn. We celebrate the impact we had serving our neighbors in Burlington needing immediate housing. During that time we provided over 61,000 shelter bed-nights and served a total of 1,229 unduplicated individuals ranging in age from 18 to over 65. We served over 80,000 meals In coordination with New Moon, Feeding Chittenden, and our many donors and volunteers.
ANEW will continue to care for homeless neighbors in Burlington by focusing on our 4-step program. We remain committed to our core mission of providing a holistic continuum of services for adults experiencing homelessness, centered in love and dignity that fosters growth, cultivates community engagement, and provides tools for lifelong change so that each person may start ANEW.
Our 89 North Street shelter is located in the heart of the Old North End of Burlington, VT, a neighborhood that faces many social and economic challenges, but is also a place of beauty, diversity, and hope. We are proud to be part of this community, to be a new place of refuge and growth in the midst of this city.
Over the years, the organization has expanded its mission and launched innovative strategies with a holistic approach to support each guest toward lifelong change. In 2014, in response to our growing vision and new services, we changed our name from Burlington Emergency Shelter to ANEW Place.
Learn more about the story behind our name change and rebranding here.
We are proud of the work we did started in 2019 in providing a seasonal low-barrier shelter which turned into operating one of the first year-round, low-barrier emergency shelters in Vermont. In October of 2023, we passed the baton to other agencies to operate the Champlain Inn. We celebrate the impact we had serving our neighbors in Burlington needing immediate housing. During that time we provided over 61,000 shelter bed-nights and served a total of 1,229 unduplicated individuals ranging in age from 18 to over 65. We served over 80,000 meals In coordination with New Moon, Feeding Chittenden, and our many donors and volunteers.
ANEW will continue to care for homeless neighbors in Burlington by focusing on our 4-step program. We remain committed to our core mission of providing a holistic continuum of services for adults experiencing homelessness, centered in love and dignity that fosters growth, cultivates community engagement, and provides tools for lifelong change so that each person may start ANEW.
Our 89 North Street shelter is located in the heart of the Old North End of Burlington, VT, a neighborhood that faces many social and economic challenges, but is also a place of beauty, diversity, and hope. We are proud to be part of this community, to be a new place of refuge and growth in the midst of this city.