Franciscan Outreach Association 

1645 W. LeMoyne Street, Chicago, IL 60622

Telephone (773)278-6724

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What's New at Franciscan Outreach?

On this page we bring you something new or interesting that's happening here. You can receive an email alert that gives you a hint about what you'll find on What's New. Click here to sign up for the email alerts. If you have a spam blocker, add Diana's email address (her first name plus @franoutreach.org) to your allowed list. We never share your email or mailing address with anyone.

For August 6, 2010 - Help Get Chronically Homeless Persons into Housing

Do you want some direct contact with our homeless brothers and sisters? Do you want to make a big difference in their lives?  Franciscan Outreach is participating in a nationwide effort by Common Ground called 100,00 Homes Campaign that seeks to house the most vulnerable homeless persons in each city.  The goal is to get 100,000 homeless persons housed nationwide by 2013. Chicago is participating in this project and hopes to get homes for around 300 or more homeless persons. You can read details at

www.cityofchicago.org/fss/Chgo100kHomes  Efforts in the first three cities that have done this have been very well received.

The first step in this process is to survey persons who might be considered good candidates for this housing. As part of this initiative, we are recruiting dedicated volunteers to help us survey guests at our Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph shelter (2715 W. Harrison St.) on the evenings of August 22, 23, and 24th from 6:15 to 9:30 pm.  Eight volunteers are needed to work from 6:15 to 9:15 pm each night to help register guests who choose to participate. We also need a volunteer to invite guests to participate and direct traffic within the shelter on these nights. There are a total of 27 volunteer slots over the course of 3 evenings. It is helpful if you could volunteer all three nights, but it isn't necessary.

We are also recruiting volunteers to help the City survey homeless persons wherever they might be found, such as under viaducts or in parks. Teams or two or four will be going out on the mornings of August 23rd, 24th and 25th to talk to homeless persons. Gift cards will be provided to encourage their participation. 

Training will be provided, with training session on Thursday, August 19 and another on Sunday August 22, both during the day. Only one training session is required.  Training will cover such issues as how to ask homeless persons to participate, what to do if someone wants to talk too long, and how to complete the survey.

If you are interested, please contact Chris Curran, Director of Mission and Community Outreach, at 773-278-6724, ext. 17 or email her at the email address found on the Contact Us page.  Previous volunteer experience at the shelter is helpful, but not necessary.

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