Marijane Harris is the president of Doylestown Area FISH (Source: Marijane Harris).
As the cost of living in the Philadelphia region goes up, more and more people are struggling with maintaining stable housing. And this happening at a time that there are fewer resources to help those in need.
That is why the work of nonprofit organizations like Doylestown Area FISH is so important. The nonprofit has made it its mission to help the unhoused and housing insecure in Central Bucks County.
Marijane Harris, president, talked to Access Network about the organization’s programs and how the community can get involved and help.
Since 1973, the 100% volunteer organization has been integral part of the Doylestown area. FISH volunteers receive calls seven days a week between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from community members who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing.
Harris explained that their mission changed in the last four to five years to also focus on people at risk of losing their housing as well as those who are homeless.
FISH provides financial grants for emergency shelter, rental assistance, utility bills and other expenses, as well as connecting callers to a network of other local resources like the Bucks County Housing Link and the Bucks County Opportunity Council. The nonprofit also provides vouchers for local food pantries.
“Anything to help people stay in housing or get housing,” Harris said. “All our funding comes from individuals who live in the community, local churches, foundations and other charitable organizations.”
On the biggest challenges the nonprofit is currently facing, she said, “Resources, hands down, especially now with President Trump’s executive order about the unhoused and the pressure of budget cuts.”
In July, President Trump signed an executive order to criminalize unhoused people and institutionalize people with mental health disabilities and substance abuse disorder.
“People don’t understand the unhoused. Eighty percent of the homeless in our area are employed. They are just not receiving a living wage, and we don’t have affordable housing or transitional housing,” Harris explained.
On what she loves most about the work she does, she said, “All of it. I am very passionate about FISH. To be able to help individuals and families go from a difficult situation to a safe place to live is phenomenal. I want people to feel safe so my ability to do that is critical.”
How can the community get involved?
Harris said that community support is critical to their mission. From donations to volunteers, all help is appreciated.
Volunteers are needed to take calls and to help with fundraising, events and administrative tasks.
“Our volunteers, mostly retirees, sit and listen and engage with callers, giving them a chance to be heard. It makes a huge impact,” Harris said.
Doylestown Area FISH will be participating in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 16-22, 2025. During this week, there will be many events including a roundtable hosted by Doylestown Area FISH for community members, service providers, and charitable organizations to come together and identify ways to address the housing crisis.
Anyone in the Doylestown area struggling with finding stable housing, can call FISH, 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at (215) 348-7172.
To volunteer or make a donation, visit doylestownfish.org.
