The SWFS Next Step! Men's Shelter

The SWFS Next Step! Men's Shelter was started 25 years ago during the Koch Administration and works in conjunction with the Partnership for the Homeless and the Department of Homeless Services. We provide shelter for ten men, five nights a week, nine months of the year. The program is run on the support of volunteers from our congregation, the community at large, and students from Columbia University. Our goal is to provide a warm, caring, and safe environment for these men who are in a transitional period in their lives.

We are not only there to provide a place to sleep but to give them support and encouragement. Working closely with the Partnership for the Homeless and the Grand Central Neighborhood, we are able to maintain the same group of men for most of the year. In this way, each volunteer can establish a rapport with each of the men. It is a wonderful and rewarding experience.

Here are ways you can help:

Be a Set–up Volunteer
  • Arrive at the synagogue at 6:00pm
  • Prepare a nourishing meal in the synagogue kitchen (frozen entrees are available for the kitchen-challenged!)
  • Serve dinner, talk with the men
  • Receive a great deal of appreciation and thanks
  • Leave at 8:00pm
  • Receive Mitzvah points
Be a Sleep–over Volunteer
  • When the students are on winter/spring breaks or have completed the school year, help us to keep the shelter open by sleeping–over
  • Arrive at 8:00pm
  • Watch a movie/talk/read
  • Sleep in a seperate quarter
  • 6:30am say goodbye to the men.
  • Receive a great deal of appreciation and thanks
  • Go home or be an early bird at work
  • Receive Mitzvah points
Be a Supporter
  • Make a financial donation to the shelter
  • Volunteer for our computer training program
  • Donate a magazine subscription
  • Bring the men a home-cooked meal
  • Donate gently used men's clothing
  • Receive Mitzvah points


Click here to find out more about SWFS Service Programs or select one of the options below to see the many ways your 100 Minutes can make a difference. Contact Heather Stoltz, Community Service Coordinator at 212-877-4050 x244 or CommunityService@swfs.org with any questions or for more information about any of the programs listed.

Also check out our Mitzvah of the Month and see how SWFS Members are giving back to the community in our 100 Minutes in Action Article.