Successfully Launched Projects
Projects initiated by GW Outreach Mission focused on providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Williamsburg, Virginia
The Harbor
Monday - Friday • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
10 Harrison Ave, Williamsburg, VA 23185
The Harbor is a day center providing people experiencing homelessness a safe place to go for respite, comfort, and access to amenities normally found in a loving home. The Harbor exists to make connections between people and services, provide access to amenities, and provide a warm meal, a shower, and a place to enjoy a conversation with friends. The congregations of GW Outreach Mission have donated food and supplies, their dedicated volunteers cook and serve meals, coordinate hot showers, and visit with guests.
Access to Community Services
Referral and access to community services through our partner Williamsburg House of Mercy (Emergency Housing, Medical Services/Medications, Laundry Cards, Bus Tickets, Clothing, Food, Financial Counseling, etc.)Food & Meals
A warm breakfast and lunch are available Monday through Friday.Shelter & Storage
Place of daytime respite (shelter from the cold or heat) and storage of some personal belongings.Reading Materials & Charging Stations
Access to books and magazines as well as phone and flashlight charging stations.Shower & Supplies
The opportunity to shower and fresh hygiene supplies, towels, and undergarments.Computers & Job Opportunities
Computer access and employment services.
This project is now managed by the Williamsburg House of Mercy.
Grace Haven Family Shelter
Grace Haven Family Shelter is an emergency shelter serving families experiencing homelessness. Our mission is driven by the belief that every person should have comfort, a safe place to live, and access to amenities normally found in a loving home. Grace Haven Family Shelter seeks to restore families to dignity and self-sufficiency, as well as to provide a safe place to live while families gain stability.
The Grace Haven coordinator and trained volunteers will work with families to help them connect with community services, apply for jobs, and develop specific skills to establish a sustainable future. Families are identified for shelter services in conjunction with partner agencies within our community. Once accepted, families will complete the intake process and paperwork with a shelter staff member or volunteer. The process to begin rapidly rehousing the family begins on day one.
Emergency Shelter for up to 90 Days
Referral to Community Services
Staple Foods (Start-up and as Needed)
Emergency Shelter Case Management
Assistance with Employment (SNAP) and Permanent Housing Search
Laundry Facilities and Bus Tickets as Needed
This project is now managed by the Williamsburg House of Mercy.
Community Kitchen
Monday - Friday • 12 pm - 1 pm
(NOT offered the first Friday of each month)
The Harbor Day Shelter
10 Harrison Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185
The Greater Williamsburg Community Kitchen’s goal is to address the larger food-insecurity issue that plagues over 14,000 local residents. Those impacted include our elderly, working poor, and unemployed as well as homeless populations. This ministry will start to fill a food gap by providing a weekly meal to those who are hungry in our community.
The vision of the Community Kitchen is to compassionately provide a no-charge, weekly mid-day dinner and fellowship to food-insecure individuals from throughout Greater Williamsburg in a welcoming, uplifting, and dignified environment sustained by committed and caring volunteers.
The primary source of support will come from GW Outreach Mission as well as its member congregations who will be volunteer chefs, servers, and managers. It is anticipated that the Community Kitchen will also be supported by local businesses, non-profit organizations, agencies, and foundations. Donations will be needed for food products, meals, and operational supplies, such as paper products. Please contact our Kitchen Director for more information.
This project is now managed by the Williamsburg House of Mercy.
Bike Safety Initiative
GW Outreach Mission incubated a program that donated reflective safety vests and rechargeable bicycle lights to keep our neighbors in need safe when they rely on bicycles for transportation to be distributed by Williamsburg House of Mercy.
This project is now managed by the Williamsburg House of Mercy
Free Little Pantry
The Little Free Pantry project addresses food insecurity in our community. The pantries are stand-alone boxes that are regularly filled with non-perishable food and hygiene supplies and are placed in easily-accessed areas. These pantries are free for all to use at any time and serve as a safety net that complements existing food pantries and soup kitchens in our area. This is a crowd-sourced, neighbor helping neighbor project to meet our community’s needs.