Nonprofit Spotlight: Haley House

What happens when you combine nutritious food with deep community roots? You get Haley House, a nonprofit that believes food has a unique power to break down social barriers and strengthen communities. Grounded in a philosophy of radical personal hospitality, Haley House works alongside community members in Boston's South End and Roxbury neighborhoods to deliver holistic solutions that address not only food insecurity, but also affordable housing and workforce development. 

What They Do

For over half a century, Haley House has grown organically to address the needs of the city's most vulnerable populations through interconnected programs.

• Food & Direct Services The Haley House Soup Kitchen, run by a live-in volunteer community alongside guests, provides made-from-scratch meals daily, along with a weekly food pantry and produce distributions for seniors.

• Permanent Affordable Housing Boston's first homeless service provider to offer permanent, affordable housing, the nonprofit now owns and manages over 100 units for low-income families and formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals.

  
  

• Re-entry Support Through programs like Life Foundations Training (LiFT), Haley House supports local workforce development, offering individuals facing barriers to traditional employment economic opportunities and community resources.

  
  

• Urban Agriculture & Wellness At Thornton Street Farm and Mel King Garden, the nonprofit grows thousands of pounds of organic produce that it distributes locally. Its Take Back the Kitchen program offers culinary and nutrition education. 

  
  

• Social Enterprise Haley House’s beloved Bakery Café reopens in Fall 2026! The café serves as an economic driver for individuals transitioning from incarceration or homelessness, while offering delicious food and a vibrant hub for the community.

Their Impact

On an annual basis, Haley House programs make a significant difference in the local community by addressing food and housing insecurity and workforce development. 

• 35,000+ meals served at the Dartmouth Street soup kitchen annually

• 7,500+ bags of groceries distributed through the weekly food pantry annually

• 3,600+ pounds of fresh produce grown for local seniors and community groups

• 1,300+ Take Back the Kitchen participants building food independence, including over 100 justice-involved youth

• 110 units of affordable housing, including 26 dedicated to formerly homeless individuals

• 35+ returning citizens supported with economic pathways

By working with residents to develop holistic solutions to food security, affordable housing, and career reentry, Haley House continues to break down social and economic barriers and support a strong and thriving Boston community.

To learn more about the history of Haley House, explore volunteer opportunities, or support its mission, visit haleyhouse.org.