Brian’s Angels Announces Closure of Community Center After 11 Years of Homeless Outreach

Brian’s Angels, a nonprofit organization that has provided essential services to the homeless community in Bristol since 2015, has announced it will be closing its community center after 11 years of service. The decision comes as the nonprofit’s longtime landlord, Prospect United Methodist Church, has chosen not to renew the lease for the building located at 99 Summer Street. The center, which has been a vital resource for many in need, will cease operations on August 30.

In an announcement posted on its website, Brian’s Angels expressed gratitude for the community’s support over the past decade. The nonprofit served 36,000 meals last year and provided clothing, hygiene supplies, and shelter for those experiencing homelessness. However, the organization will no longer accept new clothing donations following the closure. Founder Pat Stebbins said the nonprofit has until September 30 to vacate the premises.

The church’s decision was outlined in an email obtained by The Bristol Edition, which stated that the memorandum of understanding between the church and Brian’s Angels would not be renewed effective July 1. The email cited “a number of issues” that had developed into ongoing concerns, including the nonprofit’s growth beyond the available space and the use of areas not approved by the church. Stebbins disputed some of these claims, noting that the nonprofit had not previously used the space in question and that the church had not provided additional space despite the nonprofit’s needs.

Stebbins also addressed a claim in the email that the nonprofit’s 501(c)(3) status had not been renewed since 2024. She explained that government shutdowns delayed the renewal process, and the nonprofit has since been officially renewed. Despite these clarifications, the nonprofit faces the challenge of finding a new location and deciding whether to continue operating in its current capacity or to store its assets elsewhere.

The search for a new site is ongoing, with several potential locations under consideration. However, Stebbins remains uncertain whether the nonprofit can sustain its operations in the same way or if it will need to scale back its services. The organization has invested $30,000 in improvements to the property, including an industrial-size refrigerator and shelving worth $8,000. These items may need to be sold or stored if a new location is not secured.

As Brian’s Angels prepares to close its doors, the community faces the challenge of maintaining access to essential services for those in need. The closure highlights the fragility of nonprofit operations and the importance of stable partnerships in providing care for vulnerable neighbors. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, a call that remains urgent in the face of such changes.

Source: Read the original report