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From the very beginning, St. Francis House has recognized the unique needs of our female guests, including the need to dedicate space to a women’s lounge. In 2004, as part of the expansions made possible by our capital campaign, we opened the Carolyn Connors Women’s Center. Not only is this comfortable, cozy lounge wholly dedicated to our female guests, but its location on the 2nd floor means that women no longer have to navigate through crowds of men to reach a safe haven.
Though women still make up only 20% of our total guest population, they constitute an even 50% of those who use our rehabilitative services. The number of women seeking help at St. Francis House has more than doubled in the last 20 years, making them one of the fastest-growing groups among the homeless. Homeless women are at especially high risk for violence, and nearly 100% of those who seek shelter at St. Francis House are victims of trauma, abuse, or rape.
Our women’s counselor works with our female guests to help them survive, and hopefully move beyond, life on the streets. Through the Carolyn Connors Women’s Center, she helps guests access basic services like food, showers, clothing, and medical care, as well as mental health and substance abuse counseling, housing and legal assistance, and more.
We also run special programs just for women, including Latinas in Action; Stress, Safety, and Security; a women’s clothing distribution; and more.
Contact the Carolyn Connors Women’s Center |
The Connors Family at the dedication of the Carolyn Connors Women's Center |
