About Nochlezhka

1990

A group of people concerned about the plight of the homeless and people with no fixed abode founds a charity called Nochlezhka (Russian for ‘night shelter’).

1997

Nochlezhka publishes the first 'Reference book for the homeless', a pocket-sized directory for a homeless person with all essential information: where to eat, to spend the night, to get social and legal assistance.

2000

Nochlezhka launches a rehab project, ‘Halfway Home’. A separated room in Nochlezhka’s shelter is allocated to the homeless suffering from an alcohol addiction who follow a twelve-step rehabilitation programme. Around 20 people join the programme annually, of which at least 70% attain long-term positive results, overcoming their addiction, finding a property to rent and a job.

2002

Nochlezhka launches the Night Bus project, a minibus driving around the city every evening to hand out food to people in need. Volunteers hand out 150-200 hot meals every night. Apart from the food, people also come to the Night Bus for a consultation from a social worker or for medical assistance.

2005

Nochlezhka moves to the building at 112B, Borovaya Street. This building now accommodates the city’s largest rehabilitation shelter for the homeless (with a capacity of 52 beds), a Counselling Service and the charity’s office. At 116, Borovaya Street, Nochlezhka will open a free launderette (Cultural Launderette) a few years later.

2007

Nochlezhka starts running a second Night Bus, which drives around the south of the city.

2009

Nochlezhka installs the first Heated Tent which can accommodate up to 50 people, where homeless people can spend cold winter nights, get a hot meal and some help from social and medical workers.

2012

Nochlezhka organises its first charity music festival, NochlezhkaFest, to support the homeless. Russian musicians Boris Grebenshikov, the DDT band, Zorge and Marksheider Kunst have already been among the headliners. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards running the Rehabilitation Shelter.

2013

Nochlezhka runs a campaign in the Summer Garden called People of marble against hearts of stone. Also this year, Nochlezhka runs another campaign on the streets of the city, called This side of life, making a reference to the Siege of Leningrad.

2016

In October 2016 Nochlezhka holds its first International conference on assistance to homeless people in St. Petersburg. It brings together leading experts and professionals from eight Russian cities, Finland and Poland.

2017

27 March 2017 is the first ever Homeless Person’s Day. This date is set by Nochlezhka, the ‘Druzia na Ulice’ [Friends on the street] movement, the Nuzhna Pomosh [Help Needed] foundation, the Takie Dela [Such is life] portal and Dozhd Tv channel.

2019

Nochlezhka opens the Night Shelter, a one-storey modular building which can accommodate up to 40 people, where anyone can spend a night all year round.