How We Can Help You

Through our Outreach Mission, we offer utility assistance, eviction assistance, emergency shelter, and supportive services to those struggling to maintain housing, regain stability, and/or to prevent homelessness.

WHOM Outreach not only focuses on the most vulnerable in our service area living below the Federal Poverty Level of $12,880 for an individual or $26,500 for a family of four, but equally important, on Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households which are an additional 35-28% of residents in our tri-county service area of the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and New Kent County.

ALICE households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to cover just the basic essential costs of living here. ALICE workers in our service economy were celebrated as essential heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they do not earn enough (despite working multiple jobs in a number of cases) to support their own families and are forced to make impossible decisions for survival that have long term consequences.

These individuals work in low-wage hourly jobs, often with unstable, fluctuating hours, without benefits and tend to rely on rental housing. While post-pandemic employment and wage conditions have improved for some households, many continue to struggle, especially as wages fail to keep pace with the rising cost of household essentials. Unanticipated expenses–a required medical treatment, needed medications, car repair or an increase in rent– can force such a household into homelessness or the difficult choice between adequate food and necessary medication.

Our volunteers answer calls from 10am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday. All calls are screened for eligibility for our outreach assistance funds. If we are unable to fully support an ask, we call faith partners and other community partners to help us pledge toward a greater need. Together we are able to be better for our neighbors in need.

Our Harbor Day Shelter is the only day shelter in Greater Williamsburg offering respite to those experiencing homelessness. Open weekdays from 10am – 1pm, guests have access to a hot shower, breakfast, lunch, computers, charging stations, and immediate access to case managers who can start their outreach towards greater self-sustainability. This low barrier shelter reopened in September 2023 after being closed due to the pandemic and, as of the Spring of 2024, have found permanent homes for six individuals.

Throughout special times of the year, WHOM organizes drives to assist families by provided back-to-school supplies, Thanksgiving meal ingredients, Christmas presents, and Easter baskets. These distributions are made possible by the generosity of our donors and community at large.