In all my experience at the Dorothy Day House, we never kept a "waiting list" for families. Out of curiosity when 1 space was going to open within the week, we asked our resource specialists, who volunteer weekly answering the phone, to record basic contact information. Within that week, the list reached about 70 families. After 3 months and working through that list to fill 5 rooms, that list now has 125 families needing a space to stay. Many times, families have called back multiple times. I dare to say that there are hundreds more. With the different shelter options doing all they can, working most of the time at full capacity, it can still be overwhelming.  

With your help, we can provide housing and support for food, clothing, household supplies, resource connection for a myriad of needs, and as a community there is more that needs to be done. We must advocate for affordable housing, public transportation, public education and childcare, and living wages. That thought may seem overwhelming too. 

Where do we start? Let's learn how the city bus system works at MATA Transit. Let's research living wages through the MIT Living Wage Calculator. Compare our family sizes and wages to that of a living wage, poverty wage, and minimum wage. Let's volunteer as a reader at a public school.

Living in a city that where so many struggle with necessities, let’s learn about the experiences of the "least of these.” It helps us learn how to live and love more like Jesus.

~Tracy Burgess

Executive Director

The Summer Campaign raised $26,000 in one week! The summer months are usually a slower time of year for financial donations. Your gifts have boosted our annual fundraising that supports the mission of Dorothy Day House. Additionally, we are grateful to the families who chose to tell their story. If you missed the videos that we sent out in August, please visit our YouTube channel at: The Dorothy Day House YouTube Channel.

The 18th family is about to move into the Dorothy Day House this year. Anytime we may feel overwhelmed from the number of families that do need stable housing, we remember that we are supporting each family as they come to us and trusting that God will use you and us to help provide for their needs. 

Sips & Sweets is an absolutely fun way to support the Dorothy Day House. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Ben Short had his home designed by Memphis's own Carmeon Hamilton as part of an HGTV pilot. Even though it didn't have the opportunity to air, he is opening his home to us!

Join us Thursday, September 26th for sips from Ben Wiley and sweets from Lucy J's Bakery! Music will be provided by local songstress Tiffany Harmon. For additional information or to purchase tickets, click below.

Summers present a challenge at DDH, as they tend to bring a slump in both deliveries from our Amazon Wishlists and number of donation drives. As such, we are in need of non-perishable food items for our food pantry and cleaning supplies for our houses.

A good way to remedy the scarcity of items is to host a donation drive! Donation drives are an easy way to make a huge impact for the families served by the DDH. If you're new to hosting a donation drive and your social group, workplace, sports team, school, or church would like to host one, check out the instructions below!

It's not officially Fall, but I’m officially reminding you that you can order your holiday wreaths and garlands as early as October 1st! Please go ahead and mark your calnedars! You can order them as part of our Memphis delivery with pickup in various locations on December 6th and 7th. Or you can place an order and have them delivered to your home or to anyone in the contiguous United States.

If you belong to a church, book club, or any other group, and you would like us to come speak to your members about our annual Wreath and Garland Fundraiser, we'd be happy to do so!

Help the Dorothy Day House by letting us know how *you* want to engage with us! Please fill out this brief survey linked below to give us your valuable feedback. It will help us craft future communications and let us know more about why you choose to support our mission of keeping families experiencing houselessness together.