The Welcome Ministry is comprised of eleven churches / faith-based organizations: Old First Presbyterian Church; Temenos Catholic Worker; First Congregational Church, First Church of Christ, Scientist; First Unitarian Universalist Church; the Faithful Fools street ministry; Her Church (Ebenezer Lutheran); St. Francis Lutheran; Christ Church Lutheran; Sts. Mary and Martha Lutheran; and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Together, members of the Welcome Ministry have developed a multi-faceted response to homelessness in our neighborhood, based on the following principles:

1. All people, regardless of their economic condition or residential status, are children of God and equally deserving of respect, friendship, compassion and care;
2. God commands us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our neighbors include residents, merchants, other religious communities and homeless people in our neighborhood;
3. We are called to seek harmony among all neighbors as well as dignity for all;
4. It is our Christian responsibility to help the poor and those most in need, which include our homeless neighbors;
5. It is our Christian responsibility to open the doors of our church to all God’s people and enthusiastically embrace all seekers, regardless of socioeconomic status.
   
   Click Here To Learn more About Our History

Response

• The Welcome Center: In February 1999, the Welcome Ministry opened a new hospitality center for homeless people at Old First. The Welcome Center provides a place of refuge for homeless men and women from the Polk Gulch/Upper Tenderloin area of San Francisco. The Center is open on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Welcome Center chaplains respond to the basic human needs of our homeless guests and attempt to build caring relationships with them. The Center includes a quiet corner for personal prayer and meditation or prayer with Welcome Center chaplains. The Center also provides a food pantry and toiletry closet. Chaplains serve a light lunch, offer referrals to social services, and provide a welcoming and hospitable environment for our guests. We welcome approximately 60 people each afternoon.
• Evening Outreach: After listening to the needs of our homeless and hungry friends, we discovered that there were many needs that were not being met at other area programs. So, we started the Evening Outreach Program, which is currently held the second Thursday of the month at Old First from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Guests at the Evening Outreach Program receive: toiletries, computer training, job coaching, reiki, upper-body massage, bible study, a space to play music, work on art projects, hang-out and meet with councilors, a nurse, social workers and other volunteers. Services are offered only when there are volunteers to provide them.
• Community Dinners:The Welcome Ministry serves a hot meal to our homeless neighbors on the second Saturday of each month, alternating between Old First and St. Luke's. We serve nutritious meals to approximately 100 people each month, and celebrate the month's birthdays in a festive atmosphere.
  Click here to learn how to host a community dinner. 
• Individual Pastoral Support and Referral:The Director of the Welcome Ministry at Old First serves as the Center director and provides support to homeless guests and chaplains. Types of support include assisting guests to access emergency housing or entry into drug detoxification and treatment services; accompanying guests to medical or legal appointments; and visiting guests in hospitals, jails and treatment programs. The Center has become a sacred place for guests and chaplains alike.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR SUCCESS

Get Involved!
* Click here for a first-hand account of one of our homeless dinners.
*Click here to learn about 50 easy ways that you can get involved.
*Click here to learn more about volunteering.
*Contact the Director of Welcome Ministry (415-776-5552 x310) to donate time, money, or material items. Or click here to read more about how you can donate.

Explore Further
* Read a synopsis of Rev. Kathy McAdams' Adult Education Series on Hospitality and Boundaries.
* Learn about the History of Homelessness and San Francisco Policy

We encourage feedback, questions and comments about this site.
© 2002-2006 The Welcome Ministry.