Refugee Resettlement Effort

St. John’s Circle of Care is a key component to the resettlement initiative being administered by Catholic Charities.

Our Circle is comprised of 6-10 families/households that form a committed and intensive working relationship with one another, in order to accompany refugee households over the long term in their complex, often unpredictable resettlement and integration journey.

Our  purpose is to assist in the healthy and positive integration of the refugee household into their newly adopted home, and their movement toward greater self-sufficiency and citizenship.

Our Circle provides

• intensive and comprehensive support for refugees received and placed in the Northampton community.
• essential on-going, long-term social, cultural, and educational assistance

Updated information on our efforts can be found here at our Circle of Care page.

Hampshire County Interfaith Cot Shelter

The Hampshire County Interfaith Shelter Program provides shelter, referrals and limited support to homeless individuals in Hampshire County during the six coldest months of the year. This program was established at St. John’s in 1998 in response to the large waiting list that existed at the Grove Street Inn. Sadly, the need for safe shelter in Northampton continues to reach crisis proportions during the winter months.

Hampshire Interfaith Council

St. John’s is happy to participate in programming with other local religious organizations coordinated through the Hampshire Interfaith Council. Past programs have included a Sunday School Collaboration with First Congregational Church, Advent Walk, Good Friday Interfaith Preaching, and “Three Kings Day” procession throughout the town.

MANNA Soup Kitchen

MANNA was started at St. John’s in 1986 and offers a hot meal, Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays at noon here in our accessible parish hall.  MANNA also serves Meals at Edwards Church on Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturday at 11:30am to our hungry and homeless brothers and sisters. A crew of volunteers from neighboring religious and community organizations staff each meal. In 2019 MANNA provided over 25,000 meals including special meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Sign up to volunteer at MANNA.

The Northampton Survival Center

The Northampton Survival Center, a community service started at St. John’s church, is an emergency food pantry that provides low-income individuals and families in Hampshire County with free food, clothing, household goods, and referrals for emergency assistance. There is an ongoing collection of non-perishable items each week at St. John’s. Those attending Sunday services may place their donation in the red wagon at the back of the church.  Items are then delivered to the Survival Center for distribution to those experiencing food insecurity.