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Our Mission

Saint John’s Hospice
seeks to be a community
grounded in
faith and service
where homeless persons
find dignity,
respect,
nourishment,
and opportunities
for new beginnings.

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UNITED WAY:

DONOR OPTION # 272
(St John’s Hospice for Men)

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COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN:
OPTION # 25893

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A Program Of:
Catholic Social Services
Archdiocese of Philadelphia


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Contact Us
for information.

Gerry Huot

Director, Community Relations

(215) 563-7763
(215) 563-0108 (Fax)
ghuot@chs-adphila.org

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SAINT JOHN’S HOSPICE

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How You Can Help

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Sharing Your Time, Talent and Treasure

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1.                  Volunteer Opportunities

2.                  Donations

3.                  Other Ways to Help

4.                  Need Driving Directions? 

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Volunteer Opportunities

We, at Saint John’s Hospice, want to thank you!  Through your goodness, Jesus, the “Bread of Life,” has been present to us and to those who daily share our hospitality.

Serving The Line:

This is an amazing experience to most people.  We feed between 250 and 450 men each weekday at noon, and greeting them as they are served is somehow very humbling, and very rewarding.  It is noisy in the dining room, a happy, warm kind of noise that comes from people who feel that they are blessed by the Lord to be alive for another day, and want to tell you that.  For scheduled volunteers, see our Kitchen Worker Instructions. 

Sorting Gifts:

This is a seasonal need, necessitated by the astonishing array of gifts that start to arrive for the men in November, and keep on coming through Christmas.  All of this largess has to be sorted by type and size, and ultimately made into gift bags, with some of the clothing going down to the Clothing Room to keep that supply full.  This is also fun because of the spirit of camaraderie that always seems to grow spontaneously among the holiday-minded volunteers as they do this good work.

Driving:

A seasonal need, again.  In summer, we have need for people to drive a few of the men to enrichment programs that we have scheduled for them. 

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After Care:

For people of compassion who would like to get involved at a personal level with some pretty amazing people.  When our guys move out and are on their own, it is good for them to have friends who drop by occasionally to see how they are making out, and we are usually in need of some volunteers for this program.

Socializing:

We are ever more aware that man does not live by bread alone, and Saint John’s concerns itself very much with the mental and spiritual well-being of the men.  We welcome groups, or individuals, who would like to come in and spend an hour or two in the evening, talking, playing cards or board games, or just to “hang out.”

Entertainment:

Do you play piano?  Guitar?  Do magic tricks?  Let’s arrange some time for you to play to an extremely appreciative audience.

Any Ideas?

Things we haven’t thought of yet?  If you have an idea that hasn’t occurred to us, please give us a call.  We would love to hear from you!

Please keep in mind:  “If you do it for them, you do it for Him.”

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We Live By Donations …

Benefactors from all over the area have generously provided for the needs of our homeless men since we opened in 1963: food, especially the casseroles, new and used clothing, bedding, towels, toiletries and financial contributions.

Here is what we need on an ongoing basis: 

Clothing

·   New Underwear … briefs, boxers, T-shirts (large and extra large sizes are most needed)

·   New or Used shirts, pants, shorts (all sizes … 30-38 are most needed)

·   White Athletic Socks

In the Winter

·   Thermal underwear & socks

·   Coats, gloves, scarves, hats

·   Sweat Suits

·   Sweaters

·   Blankets

·   Towels

Toiletries

Small sizes are best for distribution but we can use large sizes for our residents. 

·   Soap

·   Disposable razors & shaving cream

·   Deodorant

·   Shampoo

·   Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss

·   Hand Lotion

·   Combs

We do not distribute mouth wash or after shave lotion with alcoholic content.

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Treasure:

You may donate online via PayPal.  Click here: 

If you prefer to share your treasure, Saint John’s accepts checks, cash and money orders.  Please make these out to Saint John’s Hospice and send to:

Saint John’s Hospice
1221 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA  19107-1694

Perhaps you would like to remember us in your will?  We are a 501(c)3 Charity.

 

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Other Ways To Help

52 Week Club:  Small Groups Can Do This.  Scout Troops, Poker Clubs, any kind of social group, families, etc.

Just choose one week of the year as your own, and collect a supply of underwear, socks and toiletries for one weeks’ worth of showers.  There will be a board up on the dining room, where the names of each week’s donors will be displayed prominently.

School Projects:  Confirmation, Youth Ministry, Etc.

This is a wonderful way to teach kids about the joy of service to God’s beloved poor.  Just choose a time of the year that works for you.  Plan a collection with a class or classes, and have the children write notes or greeting cards to attach to the items.

For Our Casserole Parishes:

Just gather some items (don’t forget the guys when you are going through your closets) and take them to your Casserole drop-off location.  These items will be picked up along with the casseroles. 

 

God Bless You For Your Generosity!

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Copyright © Saint John’s Hospice

2009

All Rights Reserved

 

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Kitchen Worker Instructions

Please arrive at 11 am and report to the dining room.  We will provide a short orientation to Saint John’s Hospice and go over job assignments for your service.  We are pleased to offer you lunch (with our residents, other volunteers, and staff) at 11:30 am.   From noon to 1 pm, we offer our public lunch.  We typically serve 250-350 men.  Your service should be complete at about 1:15 pm. 

We are subject to health department rules for a food service facility.  Please wear clean and modest but comfortable clothing.  Shirts/blouses must have sleeves and cover the torso.  Do not wear pajama-type pants or shorts.  Clothing should reflect common good taste and not suggest racist, immoral, or illegal activity.  Wear closed-toed shoes with socks/stockings.  We will provide hairnets, aprons, and gloves.  We have secure storage for coats/jackets and purses; we will ask that you secure anything you cannot keep on your person while serving in our kitchen/dining room. 

We have gated parking for 1 or 2 vehicles behind us at the corner of Camac and Spring Sts.  Our front office has a key for lot entry.  Click for Directions. 

Return to Volunteer Opportunities

Directions to the Saint John’s Hospice Parking Lot behind 1221 Race St

Key to gate is at front office. 

From Southern New Jersey

From Northeast – I 95

From Northwest – I 76

From South – I 95

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From southern New Jersey

Approach and cross the Benjamin Franklin Bridge (Toll Road). 
Enter Pennsylvania. 
Take the exit toward Vine St (446 ft)
Keep left at the fork.  Follow signs for I-676/US-30 (351 ft)
Slight right at Vine St (signs for PA-611/Vine St) (0.4 mi)
Turn left at N 12th St (243 ft)
Turn right at Summer St (220 ft)
Turn left at N Camac St (275 ft)
Gated parking lot is on the right at Spring St. 

[Return to “Directions”]

[Return to “How You can help”]

From northeast – I-95

Drive southwest on I-95.
Take exit 22 for Callowhill St toward I-676/US-30 (0.6 mi)
Turn right at Callowhill St (0.6 mi)
Slight left at N 9th St (0.1 mi)
Slight right at Vine St (0.2 mi)
Turn left at N 12th St (243 ft)
Turn right at Summer St (220 ft)
Turn left at N Camac St (275 ft)
Gated parking lot is on the right at Spring St. 

[Return to “Directions”]

[Return to “How You can help”]

From northwest – I-76

Drive southeast on I-76. 
Slight left at I-676 E (signs for I-676) (0.9 mi)
Take exit toward Broad St (0.1 mi)
Merge onto Vine St (0.3 mi)
Turn right on N 12th St (92 ft)
Turn right at Summer St (220 ft)
Turn left at N Camac St (275 ft)
Gated parking lot is on the right at Spring St. 

[Return to “Directions”]

[Return to “How You can help”]

From south – I-95

Follow I-95 north. 
Take exit 22 on the left for Callowhill St/US-30 toward I-676 (0.7 mi)
Slight right at Callowhill St (0.4 mi)
Slight left at N 9th St (0.1 mi)
Slight right at Vine St (0.2 mi)
Turn left at N 12th St (243 ft)
Turn right at Summer St (220 ft)
Turn left at N Camac St (275 ft)
Gated parking lot is on the right at Spring St. 

[Return to “Directions”]

[Return to “How You can help”]