Last week at a special ceremony, Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, presided over the blessing and dedication of the new Connelly Dining Room at Saint John’s Hospice (SJH), a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS).
The Connelly Dining Room is named in honor of the Connelly Foundation, which awarded CSS a $250,000 grant in October of 2021 to benefit SJH. In partnership with the Connelly Foundation, SJH also received a matching award of $101,000 from the William Penn Foundation’s Family Recovery Fund. An additional $100,000 was provided by CSS and SJH’s charitable resources.
These grants have enhanced the overall quality of the services and programs provided to men experiencing homelessness. Extensive renovations were completed to the main dining area, yard area, and the Good Shepherd kitchen to include a new oven, deep fryer, refrigerator, and commercial dishwashing station. In addition, a new Yamaha digital piano with pre-programmed selections now resides in the dining area. Funding was also used to renovate SJH’s Coffee House with upgrades including new lighting, flooring, portable sleeping cots, and a new HVAC system which will keep the sleeping area at a comfortable and safe temperature.
Leaders from CSS and officials from the Connelly Foundation joined Bishop McIntyre in celebrating the new dining room.
“Over 70% of the annual funding needed to support Saint John’s Hospice comes from our donors, and the consistent support of local foundations,” said Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Human Services. “With these partnerships and mission committed staff and volunteers, we are able to rest assured that the Saint John’s Hospice mission dating back to 1963 will continue as a beacon of hope and help to those we are privileged to serve.”
For nearly six decades, SJH has provided a continuum of care and crucial, life-sustaining services with dignity, respect and compassion to homeless men in Philadelphia. Services include residential programs and emergency shelter, food, case management, on-site medical and mental health care, daily showers, clothing, a mail room for over 1,500 men, as well as additional services specific to individual needs. SJH houses around 250 men transitioning from homelessness to independent living annually.
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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Saint John’s Hospice, please visit http://saintjohnshospice.org/.
To learn more about the Connelly Foundation, please visit www.connellyfdn.org.
Attached is a photo for publication purposes with credit to Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Pictured left to right are officials from the Connelly Foundation, Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre, and members of CSS.
Contact: Katie Rogers
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