Our Work

The guests of Pope Francis Center are diverse in their backgrounds, demographics, and the factors that led them to become homeless.

Some of our guests are experiencing situational homelessness, caused by some form of crisis, such as the loss of a job or sudden illness. Others experience episodic homelessness, repeatedly returning to the streets because of an unstable living situation, often caused by low income or domestic violence. The vast majority of those served by the Pope Francis Center are experiencing chronic homelessness.

Chronic homelessness is defined as being without a home for at least a year – or repeatedly – while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance abuse disorder, or physical disability.

Pope Francis Center guests often carry deep wounds, stemming from trauma and loss. In these cases, homelessness is a symptom of the lack of adequate resources to properly heal this emotional strain, leading them to cope in various, dangerous ways that can oftentimes lead to homelessness.

Because people experiencing chronic homelessness face the greatest barriers to self-sustainability, they often slip through the cracks. Many lose their lives each year to harsh winters, drug overdoses, and preventable diseases. We at PFC believe that each death can be avoided with the necessary support in place.