By Gia Myers • Posted February 11, 2025

In a converted convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph on Limekiln Pike in Northwest Philadelphia, St. Joseph House provides a safe haven for homeless college students ages 18-24. This ministry is lovingly run by Sister Bethany Welch, S.S.J., who professed religious vows in the order in February 2024.

The house is part of a network across the country through the DAX program, a program of DePaul USA, which started in Chicago at DePaul University. It’s in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. In each city, the houses collaborate with local colleges and universities.

The convent itself was built  in 1962 and re-opened in 2020 as St. Joseph House. The residence currently houses 19 students from seven local institutions of higher education, including Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel, La Salle, and Temple. At full capacity it can accommodate 24 students.

Homeless college students hail from a variety of backgrounds, according to Sister Bethany, who first encountered the issue of homeless students years ago while serving on the faculty at Rutgers University-Camden, teaching urban studies and public policy.

Many of the students are young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. Through hard work and financial aid they were able to enroll in local colleges, yet without family support they’re unable to afford housing at dormitories or nearby apartments even if they have after-school jobs.

Some are international students who are not eligible to work in the U.S., so earning income to pay for housing is very difficult, if not impossible.

Some students have experienced family conflict and abuse, and living with their family is no longer safe.

Others have faced discrimination because of their personal identities and no longer feel safe or welcome in their families’ homes.

Still others are stuck in what Sister Bethany calls “a cycle of poverty.” Without a credit score or previous rental history, they are unable to obtain affordable housing.

All of these students strive for a college degree in hopes of attaining jobs with good salaries and benefits, and ultimately living self-sufficient lives.

“These students have already proven they can compete in the college environment to study and be academically successful,” Sister Bethany said. “The program (at St. Joseph House) is designed to help these students earn their degrees by giving them a safe place to live.”

In addition to a single room with a twin bed, desk, and chair, St. Joseph House also provides common living spaces, including a living room, laundry room, kitchen, dining room and an outdoor garden.

Volunteers work in the residence garden, made possible by funds donated by Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Weaver’s Way Co-Op. (Courtesy Photo)

There’s also a chapel where students from a variety of faith traditions can pray and spend time in contemplation.

A pantry of donated food items is also available, through the generosity of many organizations, including Nutritional Development Services (NDS), an agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia within the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services, and Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Bryn Mawr.

Sister Bethany describes the community living at St. Joseph’s House as “similar to a dorm life.” Students learn to live with people from different backgrounds. Life lessons include cooking, health, financial management, and conflict resolution.

Students also enjoy social activities including movie nights and community dinners prepared by volunteers once or twice a month.

During the recent holiday season, students enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner together and everyone was able to open a gift on Christmas Eve, thanks to donated sweatshirts, coffee mugs, gift cards, and personal care items from a variety of charitable organizations.

Sister Bethany says the atmosphere at St. Joseph House “emphasizes community and kinship (where) care for the common home is important.” Students share rotating chore assignments in the house for each month.

A convert to Catholicism, Sister Bethany finds fulfillment in her ministry of helping homeless college students, calling it “a compelling way to serve and be present to these young people.”

If a faculty member or friend is concerned that a college student may be experiencing living challenges, Sister Bethany suggests asking the student if help with housing is needed, and in some cases, accompanying the student to the Campus Ministry Office at Catholic colleges or a counseling office at other colleges, where the student can be connected to the appropriate  resources.

Anyone interested in donating their time and talents to St. Joseph House can contact Sister Bethany via email at sr.bethany.welch@depaulusa.org. Volunteers help with painting rooms, cooking, gardening, maintaining the food pantry and mentoring the students.

People interested in making a financial donation can visit the DePaul USA website at https://depaulusa.networkforgood.com/projects/159107-main-giving-page