As the season of gratitude approaches, please accept my heartfelt appreciation for your support of Franciscan Outreach.

Because of our board, donors, volunteers, and staff, we provide programs and services to men and women who are confronting homelessness in Chicago. Each day, hundreds of the city’s most vulnerable individuals rely on Franciscan Outreach. Along with healthy food, safe shelter, and compassionate care, we offer the intangible yet invaluable promise of hope. One of our shelter guests recently said,   "[Franciscan Outreach} is helping me to get what I need. I feel safe. And, I’m treated with respect."

The current surge in COVID-19 cases is presenting an increased challenge to the operation of Franciscan Outreach. This continues to be a defining moment both for leadership and our courageous shelter staff in responding to a crisis that at times seems impossible to navigate. During the ongoing pandemic, the needs of our guests have grown tremendously. People who are experiencing homelessness do not have a place to quarantine. They live in an open environment often in close proximity to others and basic necessities to safeguard against COVID 19, such as hand soap and sanitizers, are not always easily accessible. So many of our guests are 60 years old or older and have pre-existing health conditions that put them at greater risk if exposed to this deadly virus.

The sad truth is the pandemic disproportionately affects the Franciscan Outreach community.  All of our shelters are now operating 24 hours a day, seven days per week. We continue to work closely with our community partners to put protective measures in place to minimize the possibility of illness and transmission, as well as address the urgent medical needs of our guests. To increase social distancing and reduce exposure, we installed adjustable wall partitions at the largest of our three shelters on Chicago’s West Side. Along with being a significant safety improvement, this addition enhances privacy and the quality of life of our guests.  Additionally, the acquisition of a cutting edge COVID-19 rapid testing machine allows us to detect positive results in as little as twenty minutes.  All these measures, along with the dedication of our board and staff, allow Franciscan Outreach to continue providing essential services and has saved lives.

I am extremely proud of the work we have done and will continue to do, thanks to the generosity of individuals like you. As the pandemic spreads, the demand for our services rapidly grows.

At this time, our need for your support is unprecedented, I hope you will find it in your heart to make a financial contribution to Franciscan Outreach and support our life-changing work.  Together, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many who have nowhere to turn during this uncertain time.