St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter provides temporary housing for families in Chester and Montgomery Counties.

Our shelter works with a collaboration of local organizations and churches that refer families to us. Families are accepted non-discriminately, comply with the shelter rules and policies, and participate in all programs defined in each family’s case management plan.

Our on-site Resource Navigator and the St. Mary’s team work with residents to develop and implement a step-by-step plan to move towards independent living. Families stay between 10 and 16 weeks and attend weekly finance, parenting, spirituality, and nutrition classes. Each family has one bedroom and shares the bathrooms, playrooms, and dining room. All meals are provided. With the basic needs met, the family can focus on education, employment, and childcare. Our families can take the next steps towards stable living with the right tools, resources, and support.

Our Mission

Guided by the Gospel and the spirits of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, we provide temporary shelter for homeless families. We create a community environment which fosters the dignity of each person, and we perpetually seek innovative ways to help families move toward independence.

Why We Serve

In America this year, nearly 2.5 million children and their parents will experience homelessness. At St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter, we serve these families in our community who are experiencing homelessness, and we support them along their journey to find stability, independence and a place to call home. We believe that families should stay together, and we work to ensure that during the most difficult times in their lives they can do just that. With the help of our generous volunteers, we serve over 25% of the approximate 100 homeless families in Chester County each year.