More families being placed in Sharon through state Emergency Shelter Program

Starting this week, Sharon will once again be receiving new families as a part of the Governor's Emergency Shelter Program.

Families will be coming in small groups throughout the rest of the winter and will continue to be supported by the National Guard and our local volunteers.

A task force, including representatives from town and school departments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and individuals, has been addressing the needs of these new families and will continue working to support the additional families.

The majority of families arriving this month will have already been living in the shelter system and will come from other expiring shelter sites within the system.

Massachusetts has a “right to shelter” law for families with children and pregnant women, which means that shelter must be provided under the law. To be eligible, individuals have legally entered the US.

The state covers the cost of emergency shelter services for eligible families, including eligible costs for education, food assistance, medical care and other basic needs.

As part of continuing local efforts to support these new families, donations of winter clothing are being accepted.

At this time coats, boots, socks of all sizes in good to excellent condition can be dropped off at Community Education at Sharon High School, 181 Pond St. between 8 a.m.-4p.m.

General clothing donations are not being accepted at this time due to space constraints.

To prepare for the holidays, donations of Walmart gift cards in amounts of $10 and $15 are also being collected to distribute to families to use for shopping. Gift cards may also be dropped off at the Community Education Center.

A town fund has been established to collect financial donations for transportation and other needs. Checks made payable to the Town of Sharon with memo stating “donation - new families” can be dropped off at or mailed to the Town Administrator’s Office, Town Offices, 90 S. Main St., or the Fire Department, 211 S. Main St.

Updates on the task force’s work will be posted to this link on the town website, townofsharon.net.

If you are interested in volunteering or learning how you can directly help to support our new families, or if you have any questions, please reach out to school Assistant Superintendent, Meg Dussault who is currently chairing the Town's task force to support new families, mdussault@sharonschools.net.