Who We Are

Littleton Winter Shelter is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides professionally staffed emergency overnight shelter during the coldest months of the year. We partner with local non-profits, churches, community groups, businesses and government to provide safe and secure shelter, resources for recovery and support finding permanent housing. Our shelter is a low-barrier shelter, and we do not impose requirements on our guests beyond behavioral expectations related to safety and peaceful sharing of space.

Our History

In 2023, members of Littleton area churches, nonprofit leaders, local citizens and town police, fire and government officials began meeting to discuss ways to help people experiencing homelessness. After several months, it became clear that the most urgent need in our area was for safe, low-barrier emergency shelter during the winter months. Several members of the original meeting group formed a non-profit and began searching for a space to house a temporary emergency shelter. The First United Methodist Church generously donated the use of their community building. During the six months after our group began formal work, our fundraising and facilities committees were able to raise enough funds and complete necessary renovations in time for the shelter to open in January 2025. Our first season was a success due to the hard work of our volunteer board and our dedicated staff. Year two brought increased support from local government, grant making bodies, and more local businesses and neighbors. Our second season ran from December 2025-April 2026. We celebrated our two year anniversary as a non-profit shelter in May 2026. With the continued support of our community, we look forward to opening for a third season keeping our neighbors safe in the coldest months.

Our Board

Peter Ilgenfritz, President

Robin St. Germain, Treasurer

John Bracken, Secretary

Andrea Willey

Carolyn Towne

Erika Sturgeon

Hannah Scott

Lars Nielson

Our Sponsors

We are only able to do our work with the generous support of our community partners, grantors and donors.

Major Funders:

• Agnes Lindsay Trust

• Andrea Nelson

• Grafton County Opioid Abatement Fund

• Granite United Way

• Littleton Food Coop

• Habitat for Humanity

• Mascoma Bank Fund

• NH Charitable Foundation

• Littleton Rotary Club

• Schilling Brewing

• Tillotson Fund

• Willing Workers of Sugar Hill

Building Sponsor: First United Methodist Church, Littleton

In kind and other support:

• White Horse Recovery

• First Congregational Church, Littleton

• All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Littleton

• Littleton Area Mutual Aid

• Littleton Police and Fire Departments