Project Report
| Aug 25, 2021
Our Return Home
By Maggie Blake | Volunteer Coordinator
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At the end of May, after eight successful months at the TCF Center, we moved our operations back home to Ss. Peter & Paul Jesuit Church. Throughout June and July, our guests enjoyed our outdoor dining area in the parking lot across the street. We have successfully transitioned to providing all other services inside our space at the Church. Guests continue to be able to enjoy two hot meals, showers, laundry, and housing advocacy services each day. We run free medical, dental, legal and bike clinics for guests on a regular basis. Our medical partners continue to periodically provide HIV and COVID testing as well as COVID-19 vaccines to any guest who needs one. As COVID restrictions have lifted, we’ve seen an incredible response from our dedicated volunteers, who help us keep the Center running each day. With an end to the moratorium on evictions quickly approaching, we are anticipating an increase in the number of guests we see at the Center. To offset this increase, we are currently fundraising to expand our housing advocacy program as the need for housing support becomes even more critical.
As the health of our region and our country rapidly changes with the spread of the Delta variant, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our guests and keeping them safe. Our work would not be possible with out you and our community of supporters. Thank you for believing in us and caring for Detroit’s most vulnerable.
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Apr 29, 2021
Extension at the TCF Center
By Joe Zakens | Development Officer
![Onsite Laundry Services Resume at the TCF]()
Onsite Laundry Services Resume at the TCF
Our new space at the TCF Center was crucial to providing social distancing while also providing much-needed shelter through a Detroit winter. With 14,000 sq. ft. on the lower level of Detroit's convention center, we were fortunate to host our yearly Christmas event and giveaway, and provide our guests with a Christmas meal, entertainment, and a present. We were also recognized by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for our successful vaccine program which saw the highest amount of the homeless population vaccinated in the country. This space also allowed us to shelter our guests safely overnight for eight days when the City of Detroit issued a Code Blue in mid February. With the help of the McGregor Fund and others, we were able to our extend stay at the TCF Center through May 31 to provide warmth and shelter through uncertain April and May weather. On June 1, we plan to return our outdoor programing to our parking lot where the Pope Francis Center first began its work with the homeless population more than 30 years ago. Regardless of our location, our commitment to serving two meals, and providing shower and laundry remains critical.
![Vaccine Clinic]()
Vaccine Clinic
![Christmas 2020]()
Christmas 2020
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Jan 1, 2021
Move to the TCF Convention Center
By Joe Zakens | Development Officer
![The Return of a Chess Match]()
The Return of a Chess Match
After a very successful (and necessary) pivot to an all-outdoor program including the installation of outdoor restrooms, hand-washing stations, showers and open-air tents, we all knew this achievement would be short-lived with an upcoming Detroit winter. As we planned for the change in weather, we worked with the City of Detroit to find shelter for our guests and on November 16th we temporarily relocated to the TCF Center where we will be until March 31, 2021. We currently occupy 14,000 square feet in the lower level of Detroit's convention center. This will allow our guests respite from the cold winter days while still allowing social distancing. Our space includes two large dining rooms, two large lounge areas and the return of onsite showers and laundry facilities. We have dedicated clinic space for our rotating medical partners, Beaumont Health and Covenant Community Care to assist our guests' daily medical needs, and also screen, monitor, and care for anyone presenting symptoms of the Coronavirus and get them to the nearest care facility. We will also operate as an emergency overnight shelter when the city issues a Code Blue weather emergency. This relocation will allow us to continue our promise to provide two nutritious meals, showers, laundry, and medical attention to Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens.
![Warm Clothing Distribution]()
Warm Clothing Distribution
![Medical Clinic]()
Medical Clinic
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