St. Francis House Ministries

Now in its fourth decade of service, St. Francis House is pursuing its mission through a variety of critical ministries carried out on behalf of deserving people in the community.  To learn more about these ministries or to refer an individual or family whose fundamental needs are not being met or to inquire of opportunities in which you or your organization can support these ministries, please contact us..

HISTORY

The St. Francis House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in January 1970 as a social outreach of the Epsicopal Church to the State of Arkansas.  It originated, in part, as a continuation of the ministry of St. Phillip's Church, an Episcopal mission in Little Rock that was comprised of black worshippers over its 86 year existence.  Its building and property were sold as part of the urban renewal project which became Interstate-630.  The early program was one of outreach to the neighborhood which included informal personal counseling, small group study, social fellowship, and recreation.  Its goal was to serve as a "bridge" between the black and white communities caused by the tension of school and neighborhood segregation.

It quickly became apparent the work of St. Francis House would become overwhelmingly that of striving to meet the pressing material needs of people in need, therefore, it dedicated itself to responding quickly to the needs of those who seek help, especially giving aid to those who are not eligible for assistance from other agencies.  The current emphasis of the soical work department is to provide immediate material assistance (food, medicine, shelter, clothing, utility and rent payments, transportation, and other such basic needs) to clients in crisis situations.  In 1988, St. Francis House was granted a contract with the US Department of Veterans Affairs to house homeless veterans. The program provides a setting for homeless veterans, including the services of counseling, transitional housing, meals, laundry, employment services, and activities. In October of 1997, St. Francis House opened a daycare center.  The Center is licensed by the Department of Human Services, Child Care/Early Childhood Development Division. In 2000, a health clinic was opened in partnership with St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center to provide health care needs of St. Francis House's clients. In 2006, St. Francis House became the first agency in this region to be awarded a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.  This program assists homeless veterans to seek viable employment and to assist them in locating permanent housing.    

Ms. Florence Lewis, (Granny Lewis), one of the founders of St. Francis House.  Ms. Lewis started out as a volunteer in 1969, and became one of St. Francis House's first employees.  After working at    St. Francis House for 38 years, she now volunteers on a regular basis.