What is The Saint Anthony Center?
The Center for Respite Care has been in existence for approaching 20 years. Since 2007, we were located in Avondale in a large old home with very limited capacity. It became clear that we needed more space, specifically designed to sleep an expanded capacity. Our services have become of greater importance with rising costs in hospital and medical care. Simply put, hospitals needed more room to send individuals healing, and, without a place to call home.
In fiscal year 2019-2020, we have counted over 6,000 bed nights.
Importantly, we sought a more extensive medical unit and updated capabilities. We were approached by the late Tom Klinedinst, Jr. in 2015 (His wife Diana has been a long-time board member.) and asked if we would be interested in sharing space with other organizations who serve a similar constituency. The building is owned by the Franciscan Friars and formerly was the site of their publishing house, St. Anthony Messenger Press.
We immediately noted the community benefit that could occur from shared services; both in expense and the ability to provide well-rounded care for people experiencing homelessness.
This dream is now known as The Saint Anthony Center.
We are a central component of this nonprofit service hub with several partnering agencies in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. We are located north of Downtown and south of Clifton’s hospital district.
For our clients, this makes attending outside medical appointments less challenging.
This relocation has increased our capacity by over 40% without equivalent increase in cost. The newly renovated space now occupied by the Center allows for expanded services.
Overall, the Saint Anthony Center is a welcoming center where multiple not-for-profit organizations work together to serve the basic physical and emotional needs of the impoverished and homeless.
We are the only 24-7 operation in the Saint Anthony Center and benefit from services provided by our neighbors.
They include:
St. Francis Seraph Ministries nurtures and nourish clients through our programs: Mother Teresa of Calcutta Dining Room, Bagged Lunch, Cooking for The Family and Sarah Center. Some of our food service is provided by the St. Francis Seraph Ministries; while we also rely on our volunteers (who deliver and prepare meals for our clients) as well as Our Daily Bread (a 2021 Transformation Award Honoree.)
Franciscan Ministries’ Haircuts from the Heart restores confidence and self-image by providing haircuts for the impoverished and homeless. This offers our clients the ability to regain dignity during their time in the Center and once released.
Mary Magdalen House restores dignity and hygiene by providing a place to shower, laundry service, charge and use phones and receive messages and mail.
Foot Care for the Souls is an all-volunteer organization providing foot care for the homeless and working poor including a foot bath and massage.
The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church’s Goal is to transition people out of homelessness, utilizing people that could not find jobs by using their existing skills or to train them with new job skills, and finally, to remodel / beautify vacant and distressed property.
We are a collaborative organization who has set a model for communities across the nation. We are proud to be at the core of ensuring long term success and health for the most vulnerable among us. Thank you to our partners. We are all in this together for the good of our clients and greater community.
