Franciscan Outreach is a leading 501c3 provider of homeless services in Chicago. Serving since 1963, we operate a system of support for individuals facing homelessness. Our mission is to provide healthy meals, safe shelter, and critical services that affirm the dignity of men and women who are marginalized and homeless and empower them to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing. Our vision is to ensure a positive path forward for people who are marginalized and homeless so they can gain stability and thrive in permanent housing. We provide immediate basic needs and supportive services to those facing the greatest challenges. Our work empowers our guests with the resolve of transformation while championing and advocating for housing, healthcare, and employment.

Grounded in the Franciscan tradition of joy, gratitude, and care for the poor, each person who walks through our doors is considered a guest and is treated with dignity and respect. In 1963, Fr. Phillip Marquard, a Franciscan friar, opened a halfway house on Chicago’s west side, as an outreach program for ex-offenders leaving prison with no place to go. These men were offered housing, meals, jobs, and medical care to help them get on their feet. Since our founding 60+ years ago, Franciscan Outreach has grown tremendously to meet the need for our services. When the agency began, we served 16 individuals from one site. Today, we operate four sites, including the largest shelter on the west side of Chicago and the second-largest shelter in the city. Last year, we supported over 2,700 individuals, served over 266,000 meals, and provided nearly 100,000 nights of shelter. While our scope of services has evolved over the years, we remain dedicated to serving with compassion, empathy, and respect.