Our Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The mission of the Friendship Center of New Britain is to provide friendship and direct service to the poor and needy of Central Connecticut, including the ownership and operation of housing for the poor.
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Friendship Service Center Milestones & Timeline
Click on NEXT or PREVIOUS below to review important milestones in our history
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 1968
The doors of the first Friendship Center program are opened by Monsignor Joseph Farrell. This drop-in center is to offer “street alcoholics” food, fellowship and a place to get off the streets during the day.
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1968
The doors of the first Friendship Center program are opened by Monsignor Joseph Farrell. This drop-in center is to offer “street alcoholics” food, fellowship and a place to get off the streets during the day.
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 Early 1980’s
The Community Free Supper program is founded by Father Malcolm McDowell and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church to offer free meals six days a week, prepared and served by volunteers in six different downtown congregations. New Britain’s first Emergency Shelter opens at 516 Main Street, a project spearheaded by the Reverend Hugh Penney from South Congregational/First Baptist Church. The location also becomes the permanent home of the Community Free Supper program which, in 1983, becomes a Friendship Center program. It was renamed the Community Kitchen.
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 1982
The agency’s first Executive Director William L. McNamara (left) welcomes the next Executive Director Roland Mercer. |
 1986
The New Britain Family Shelter is created as the brainchild of Mr. William E. Attwood, an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. It soon becomes the next addition to the Friendship Center’s growing array of services.
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 1989-1990
An appropriate location is found at 241-249 Arch Street to house all existing Friendship Center programs. The Friendship Center Board of Directors embarks on its first Capital Campaign to raise funds for the purchase of 241-249 Arch Street.
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 1991
Ellen Perkins Simpson appointed Executive Director of the Friendship Center.
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 1992
The Friendship Center moves into its new home, which houses the community kitchen, emergency shelter for men and women, family shelter and a new transitional living program for men and women who have moved beyond their initial stumbling blocks to independent living but need more time in a safe environment to solidify these gains.
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 1993
An assertive substance abuse outreach program is established to encourage street people to “come in” and address their substance abuse and mental health issues. This program continues today.
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1994
Love Made Visible Products program is created to provide employment for those ready to work but not quite ready for a job in the private sector. This small business venture manufactures and sells candy and gift baskets for seven years.
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 1997
The Friendship Center’s bylaws change to incorporate a Board of Trustees to oversee the endowment and find ways to make it grow. This Board is comprised of former presidents and members of the Board of Directors.
A generous gift of $500,000 is received from Donald W. Davis, former CEO of The Stanley Works, in honor of his wife Virginia’s work in the community over the years. The facility at 241-249 Arch Street is named the Virginia C. Davis Building.
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 2000
The Friendship Service Center purchases the Vega Building to house the Love Made Visible Products. At the same time, the agency takes over the 10-year-old antiques business in the building and reopens a coffee shop that had once occupied the space. The jobs program now includes the Love Made Visible products, Vintage Antiques and Vintage Coffee. Four apartments on the second floor of the Vega Building are used for permanent, supportive housing for Friendship Center clients. |
 2002
The Friendship Service Center is chosen by the state as a PATH (Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) site to reach out to those living in the streets, in doorways and under bridges.
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 2003
Bicycling Enthusiasm Initiative (BEI) comes under the Friendship Center jobs program umbrella. The program reaches out to at-risk youth. They learn bike repair, are mentored by staff and participate in BMX racing team and club. This successful program would later transition to OIC New Britain. It still thrives today. |
 2005
Arch Street Housing Project becomes the dream and impetus for a capital campaign that would renovate the Vega Building at 59 Arch Street and construct a new building at 85 Arch Street for a total of 21 permanent supportive housing units.
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 2006
The Friends of the Friendship Service Center auxiliary is formed to raise awareness of the work of the Friendship Center and to raise funds to help those served in ways the budget does not allow. The Friends meet monthly.
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2010
Arch Street Housing is completely occupied by once-homeless individuals and families. The Grand Opening is celebrated at Trinity on Main in conjunction with the Friends of the Friendship Center’s “Homelessness is for the Birds!” awareness-raising campaign.
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