Nutrition
Pope Francis Center guests are greeted each day with a hearty continental breakfast, followed mid-morning by a hearty nutrient-packed meal lovingly prepared on-site by Nutrition Coordinator Kevin Cook and his dedicated band of volunteers.
Mealtime creates a sense of community for our guests and an opportunity for fellowship with one another, our staff and our volunteers. Communal dining is not only vital to our guests’ emotional well-being, it also provides very real health benefits. Our nutritional menu helps:
- Reduce the risk of cancer
- Manage diabetic conditions – especially type 2 diabetes
- Prevent hypertension, heart disease and stroke
- Strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis
- Boost mood to alleviate depression and fatigue
- Improve memory and battle dementia
Hygiene
Pope Francis Center provides our guests with rotating access to three private shower facilities and sink/shave stations in a clean and welcoming environment. We also distribute toiletry kits, clean socks and underwear and other health and grooming items as needed. Haircuts are regularly available.
Access to good personal and oral hygiene through the Center’s facilities not only boosts our guests’ spirits; regular showers help ward off a variety of health concerns such as stomach viruses, body lice, gastroenteritis and skin infections. Regular teeth brushing keeps conditions like coronary artery disease, dementia, diabetes, pneumonia and pregnancy and birth complications in check.
Our continually running industrial washers and dryers ensure guests have fresh, dry clothing. In addition to boosting self-esteem and enhancing appearance, clean clothes protect our guests from the threat of frostbite from wearing wet socks, gloves and other garments in winter temps.
Clinics
Pope Francis Center proudly partners with a host of dedicated organizations and businesses across the community in continually delivering the support and counsel that enhances our guests’ health and well-being. Through our dedicated space within the Center professionals and students support our guests each day via a rotating schedule of clinics that includes:
MEDICAL
Thanks to Beaumont Health and University of Detroit Mercy Nursing School, Pope Francis Center guests receive preventative care and regular medical intervention for mental health concerns, chronic conditions and urgent illnesses.
DENTAL
Covenant Community Care dentists and hygienists provide basic check-ups, oral screenings and emergency dental care.
PODIATRIC
Foot health offers insights into overall health and University of Detroit Mercy nurses regularly monitor Pope Francis Center guests for indications of frostbite that can lead to amputation.
LEGAL
Any number of legal problems can derail life for a person experiencing homelessness. Thanks to volunteers from seven local law firms, our guests receive regular legal aid, helping them address family law issues, workmen's compensation and disability claims, and other problems related to homelessness, such as loitering and vagrancy.
BIKE REPAIR
A bicycle opens a world of freedom to those experiencing homelessness. Pope Francis Center volunteers from Holy Spokes keep guests’ bikes in good working condition, as well as refurbish donated models for others to get where they need to go.
We additionally provide:
Housing and Employment Assistance
Pope Francis Center staff also maintain relationships with other community resources that offer permanent supportive housing and employment opportunities, to assist those guests eligible to transition into a more independent lifestyle.
Mail and phone services are also available.
