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01 September 2010
Francis House was established in Sacramento 40 years ago as a faith-based center for change, providing resources and counseling for the local poor. Originally founded by St. Francis Catholic Church in 1970, the organization now serves approximately 30,000 people each year. The need for the Francis House has increased during the recession with up to 140 people coming through the door every day, and a line waiting for the doors to open each morning.
Underpinning the work of the staff and volunteers at Francis House is the fundamental value of providing care and personal attention. Their goal is to provide the kind of listening you would experience with a friend. The organization serves people who are facing hardship alone by rekindling a sense of community and helping them to make better choices. Most importantly Francis House offers personal assistance for people who lack community. Their programs include Pathways to Success, helping people back into employment, Veterans Outreach and the Family Rescue which provides shelter, case management and transportation while people get back on their feet.
Practical support comes in the form of bus tickets, gas vouchers, food vouchers, toiletries and help acquiring identification such as CA ID’s and birth certificates. The Francis House offers case management through Pathways to Success Counseling, helping around 13 people into full-time jobs per month and continuing to provide help until they receive their first pay check.
Greg Bunker, Executive Director of Francis House, says that there are still a lot of myths around homelessness and people tend to brush off the plight of the homeless. For the most part the people coming to Francis House are ordinary people facing common struggles such as those who have recently lost a home or job, or have suffered the break-up of a marriage. "Last year it was the big banks that were closing, but now we all know people who have lost their jobs and homes in this economy. We can sense our own fragility in these times. When you don’t have community, life becomes extremely difficult; everyone needs something to do and somewhere to be. Community sustains all of us." By encouraging listening, and helping them to make better choices, Francis House re-kindles a sense of community in these disenfranchised individuals.
Even the long-term unemployed and chronically homeless can be empowered by projects such as Safe Ground to become responsible in their living arrangements and become functioning members of the community. Many of the original members now give back to the community by helping others.
Francis House has an annual budget of $640,000 and 85% is distributed to members in the form of resources or services. Money is raised through a combination of grant-writing, fundraising and donations. The biggest annual fundraiser Feast for the Streets last year raised around $90,000. Francis House’s direct services budget has grown every year for the last 40 years in spite of the economy. However, with only six paid employees the organization relies heavily on the generosity and commitment of its volunteers.
Francis House will celebrate its 40th anniversary on October 29th at The Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Visit the Francis House events page for more information or to register.
Anyone interested in getting involved in the project can request information on the website or call (916) 443-2646 to learn about volunteer opportunities. Tax deductible donations can also be made online. Visit the website for more information about the project and the services offered at Francis House.