PRESS RELEASE: Saint John’s Hospice Celebrates 60 Years of Serving Philadelphians Experiencing Homelessness

Saint John’s Hospice (SJH), a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and one of Philadelphia’s leading providers of residential and day services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, will celebrate six decades of service to the community this year. The celebration will culminate in a special 60^th anniversary gala on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia.

“I extend prayerful congratulations to Catholic Social Services and Saint John’s Hospice on this milestone. For 60 years, this vital ministry has been a beacon of hope for those experiencing homelessness,” said Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez. “I reflect on this anniversary with prayerful gratitude for the countless good works accomplished by the staff of Saint John’s Hospice. All those working in this ministry have been the hands of Christ for those who needed His love and support the most.”

At the gala, five organizations will be recognized for their unwavering support of Saint John’s Hospice with its Partner in Mission Award.  The organizations are the Connelly Foundation; Riley Family Foundation; the Philadelphia Phillies & Aramark; St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church; and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. These organizations have provided generous support to help SJH sustain to continue to provide life-sustaining services to some of the most vulnerable, at-risk, and in need people in the City of Philadelphia.

Mr. Barry Martin, Program Director at SJH said, “Saint John’s Hospice would not be able reach the hundreds of thousands of neighbors experiencing homelessness if it weren’t for the support of our volunteers and the organizations we will be honoring at our gala. The Partner in Mission Award is our way of simply and humbly saying, ‘Thank you.’”

“Saint John’s Hospice has always believed in serving those experiencing homelessness with dignity, compassion, and respect. When an individual comes to Sant John’s, they know they will come to a safe, clean, drug and alcohol-free environment and be cared for by a team of compassionate, dedicated professionals who see the dignity in every person. Those are the absolutes that have not changed and will never change about Saint John’s Hospice.”

For more information, including registration and sponsorships, visit www.saintjohnshospice.org.

Background Information about Saint John’s Hospice

SJH was established in 1963 by Monsignor Anthony J. O’Neill, Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Center City Philadelphia, and The Little Brothers of The Good Shepherd, as an outreach ministry to serve and assist those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. Today, SJH has residences that serve approximately 150 individuals transitioning from homelessness to independent living annually, meal services for more than 325 community members each day, mailroom services for more than 1,700 individuals, as well as case management and medical and behavioral healthcare services.

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Saint John’s Hospice, please visit  https://saintjohnshospice.org/.