As migration enforcement, the cost of addiction and economic distress dominate the headlines, Franciscan outreach to the poor continues as usual in both Chicago and Philadelphia, two great American cities with long traditions of friar service to the marginalized.
The two cities can be cold in the winter, both in the meteorological sense as well as emotionally for those seeking shelter and food in sometimes unforgiving atmospheres. But the Franciscan tradition offers a contrast.
Bro. John Neuffer, OFM, a staff member at St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, makes sure to call those seeking help as “guests” who are welcomed through relentless struggles. This year is much like other recent times, as the scourge of drug abuse continues to be a constant struggle in the neighborhood, which has long held the dubious distinction of the epicenter of the American opioid crisis.
St. Francis Inn offers regular meals to those who struggle getting by in the City of Brotherly Love, as well as clothing and a sympathetic ear or two.
“Our guests tend to struggle with severe addiction and mental illness. So, it’s not so much expensive food costs that drive people to us, but rather the fact that guests have no money for food regardless of cost. Severe drug use is the local concern,” said Bro. John.
St. Francis Inn was founded in 1979 by three friars, Roderic Petrie, Emmet Murphy and Anthony Struzynski, who came to the city hoping to begin a Franciscan ministry for the poor.
Their focus was on solidarity with the poor, not paternalism. Their soup kitchen mimicked a restaurant, where patrons were welcomed at the door and were served by waiters. Visitors to the Inn have always been referred to as guests.
The team which runs the Inn lives next door. Before each meal, the staff comes together for Mass, a Eucharistic sharing and coming together. The regular meals offered at the Inn continue to provide the hospitality and solidarity that its founders envisioned.
“They come because they like the community we provide,” noted Bro. John.
Chicago’s Franciscan Mission was begun by Fr. Phillip Marquard, OFM, in 1963. It began as a halfway house for 16 ex-offenders who, while on parole, were unable to get out of prison because they had nowhere to go. The ex-offenders received shelter, food, and counseling for job referrals and addiction.
That mission grew substantially since, taking on a wide array of issues afflicting Chicago’s vulnerable.
The Franciscan Mission in Chicago operates three shelters on the city’s West and Near-South sides. Two of the shelters are 24-hour, meaning guests can stay throughout the day and receive a myriad of wrap-around services.
On any given night, Franciscan Outreach offers 345 beds of safe shelter, warm meals, and compassionate care. Franciscan Outreach provides additional services for individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk at their Day Program location, which also functions as a warming/cooling center during extreme weather alerts.
In 2025, the Franciscan Outreach mission expanded its reach with a new program called SPARC (Shelter Placement and Resource Center), an all-encompassing facility for shelter placement and other services. SPARC also includes 400 additional beds for overnight emergency shelter.
Some guests are there for a night; others can take years, as they get their lives together.
One guest, from China, had lost documents and had no resources. He needed to get back to his family. Although it took two years, the Mission was able to relocate him.
Guests are offered shelter, meals, and counseling.
“It’s everything they need to carry on the journey,” said Sally Bianca Berkhia, director of development and external relations.
The Mission serves some 3,500 people each year. When the new SPARC Center expands this year, that number will more than double.
Still the needs of Chicago continue to increase.
“Shelter beds in Chicago are scarce. Our shelters are full,” she said.
Faced with overwhelming issues – shelter employees are also learning “know your rights” information as ICE immigration enforcement targets the city – the Franciscan Mission in Chicago maintains its Franciscan credo that the people they serve are guests, not simply clients.
“We are grounded in Franciscan roots of dignity. Regardless of where you are in life, if you need help, our doors are open. We all walk together,” said Sally.