Posted September 29, 2021

St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families opened a new transitional housing unit Sept. 23 to the delight of women seeking a safe home and independence, and for former students of the school that has been repurposed for its new mission. Read all about the story here. (Photos by Matthew Gambino)

  • Michele Giacomucci, vice chair of St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter’s Board of Directors, speaks to assembled guests during the Sept. 23 ribbon cutting for the new transitional housing unit at the Phoenixville homeless shelter.

  • At St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families in Phoenixville, a former Catholic school (foreground) has been transformed into four apartments for women and their children transitioning to permanent housing. At rear is the shelter for up to five women and their families, operating in a former convent since 1987.

  • Sister Bernadette Dougherty, S.S.J. (right), executive director of St. Mary’s Shelter in Phoenixville since 2015, speaks during the Sept. 23 ribbon cutting and blessing of St. Mary’s new transitional housing unit for homeless women and their children.

  • Deacon Mark Nowakowski of St. Basil the Great Parish in Kimberton leads the blessing rite at St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families.

  • Cutting the ribbon with Sister Bernadette Dougherty, S.S.J. is Gene Suski of the Chester County Department of Community Development, which partnered with St. Mary’s on the transitional housing project.

  • Well wishers from the Phoenixville community, including graduates of the former St. Mary’s Catholic School, are on hand at the Sept. 23 blessing ceremony.

  • A view of the interior of one of the four new transitional housing apartments at St. Mary’s shows a former Catholic school classroom transformed into a large living and dining room for a family.

  • One of two bedrooms in a transitional apartment allows children to sleep safely in their own room. The beds were donated by the Franciscan Sisters, who began the ministry to the homeless in Phoenixville in 1987.

  • A galley-style kitchen allows moms to prepare meals for their children in their transitional apartment for up to 18 months.

  • In service to the five families residing for up to eight weeks in St. Mary’s Shelter, staff show the dinner prepared and delivered to by a religious congregation in Chester County — a practice repeated every night since the shelter opened in 1987.

  • The shelter’s dining room seats up to five families in a dignified, homey climate for communal meals.