Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for men and women who are marginalized and homeless. We empower people to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing.
Through five service sites, we provide a diverse array of programs and services to our most vulnerable neighbors. Every day, we offer healthy meals to those who are hungry, a warm bed for those who need shelter, vital case management for those who need guidance, and access to critical resources for those who need specialized services such as health care, mental health counseling, and substance use disorder treatment.
Since our founding in 1963, Franciscan Outreach has been dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to our Chicago neighbors in need. We welcome and serve all people, no matter what their life circumstances may be. We meet people where they’re at and assist them on their journey toward self-sufficiency and independence. Each person who walks through our doors seeking assistance is considered a guest and is treated with dignity and respect.
Grounded in the Franciscan tradition, we serve everyone regardless of their beliefs, and we do not conduct or require participation in religious services. We are committed to working together as an inclusive community that promotes equal treatment and opportunity for all. We strive to create a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.
MISSION
To provide healthy meals, safe shelter and critical services that affirm the dignity of men and women who are marginalized and homeless and empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing.
VISION
To ensure a positive path forward for people who are marginalized and homeless so they can gain stability and thrive in permanent housing.
CORE VALUES
Hospitality. We compassionately welcome and serve all men and women who are marginalized and homeless, no matter what their life circumstances may be. Every day, we offer healthy meals to those who are hungry, a warm bed for those who need shelter, vital case management for those who need guidance, and access to critical resources for those who need specialized assistance.
Spirituality. Inspired by the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, we believe every human being deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to all our neighbors in need. Unconditional love for all people provides the foundation for our non-judgmental, caring approach. Grounded in the Franciscan tradition, we serve everyone regardless of their beliefs, and we do not conduct or require participation in religious services.
Community. We are committed to working together as an inclusive community that welcomes and respects all people, connects individuals with the services and resources they need to enhance their lives, and promotes equal treatment and opportunity for all. We strive to create a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sustainability. We are influenced by the teachings St. Francis of Assisi, informing us that we are deeply interconnected and inherently related to all that exists in this world. Aligned with these teachings, we are committed to being responsible stewards of every resource available to us. We are dedicated to connecting people with communities and resources to enhance their lives and to build a more equitable, just, and sustainable world.
Opportunity. As a system of support, we empower men and women who are marginalized and homeless to make positive changes in their lives. We affirm their inherent dignity and value, and create opportunities for them to navigate a path toward stability, self-sufficiency, and permanent housing. We also strive to take advantage of every opportunity to make a human connection with people who are homeless and with the general public. We seek to increase awareness and understanding about the many challenges that create barriers to housing for people who are homeless, thus reshaping societal perceptions.