Congratulations to St. Francis Seraph Ministries

St. Francis Seraph Ministries (SFSM) is co-located with The Center for Respite Care in the Saint Anthony Center (SAC.) As such, we work together to serve people experiencing homelessness. We also have a front-row seat to the care that they provide for our most vulnerable population.

“Since the early days of “living” next to one another, we have been impressed and humbled by the work of St. Francis Seraph. We are pleased to designate the organization as a 2023 honoree,” Laurie Nelson, CEO of The Center for Respite Care, said.

When asked the SFSM team about their reaction to the honor;

“We are honored to be recognized by The Center for Respite Care. But just as important, we are honored to work alongside The Center to provide the necessary care in a dignified manner. We are honored to call their staff our colleagues – and to share a mission to nourish and nurture our most vulnerable neighbors.”

St. Francis Ministries is about nourishment:

Along with the Center, SFSM carries on the Franciscan legacy of service to our most vulnerable neighbors in Over-the-Rhine and surrounding neighborhoods. Whether they are:

• nourishing bodies with food,
• nourishing spirits with education,
• or nourishing souls with personal connections, their programs are designed to provide dignity and an opportunity to build stability where both may be lacking.

From their offices in the SAC, they connect low-income and unhoused individuals to a wide range of services – either directly through one of their core programs or by introducing them to one of the SAC partner organizations.

Their primary programs include:

• Mother Teresa of Calcutta Dining Room, which offers breakfast and dinner in a dining-room setting, Monday through Friday, to low-income and unhoused neighbors;
• Sarah Center, which offers sewing and jewelry-making classes to individuals who wish to gain new skills and pursue employment; and
• Foot Care for the Souls provides foot care clinics to low-income and unhoused individuals who often spend much of the day standing or walking.

Each program is intentionally easy to access and adaptable to the changing needs of the community, and they are delivered in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, which believed every individual has the right to nourishment and a sense of well-being. The Franciscan Friars have been active in OTR since 1844, and it is a privilege to build upon their legacy.

According to SFSM,

“Across our programs and services, SFSM seeks to foster the Franciscan vision that “We Are One” – One Table to nourish all in body, mind, and spirit; One Team that works together with clients to make a difference; and One Community with our neighbors in and around OTR. As such, the primary goal of all SFSM programs is to be available for all who are in need, regardless of their circumstances. The details of our programs will continue to evolve as our neighbors’ needs evolve, but the Franciscan vision will guide us always.

Partners like The Center for Respite Care are invaluable to our mission. They share our values and complement our skills and services, which allows both organizations to reach more people in more powerful ways.”

Thanks to the SFSM for being our neighbor, our partner in the community, and for the work that you do. We could not succeed without your steadfast commitment.