As we approach 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the invaluable role that community shelters like St. Benedict’s Shelter, Daniel Pitino Shelter, and others play in creating a safer, healthier community. These shelters are far more than temporary accommodations; they are essential community resources that bring stability, hope, and practical support to those who need it most. In times of crisis, they prevent vulnerable individuals and families from facing the harsh conditions of street homelessness, helping them find a path to self-sufficiency and stability.
The power of shelters: Keeping people off the streets and creating a safer community
Every night, shelters across our region open their doors to hundreds of men, women, and children who would otherwise have nowhere else to go. At St. Benedict’s Shelter, 64 men find refuge each night, while more than 500 individuals benefit from its support every year. Meanwhile, Daniel Pitino Shelter currently serves 26 single women, nine families, and 19 children who rely on the sanctuary it provides to begin rebuilding their lives.
For every individual who finds shelter, there is a story of hope and resilience. Having a safe place to stay makes it possible for people to regain stability, focus on essential needs like employment and healthcare, and make plans for a better future. Without these shelters, the community would feel the immediate effects — not only in terms of increased homelessness but in the strain that homelessness places on other public resources. By keeping people off the streets, shelters reduce the burden on emergency services, hospitals, and law enforcement, creating a safer and more compassionate environment for everyone.
Compassionate care and self-sufficiency: The humane mission of shelters
Shelters like St. Benedict’s and Daniel Pitino operate with a philosophy of inclusivity and respect. St. Benedict’s mission of “Welcoming All as Christ” drives its commitment to serving individuals from all backgrounds with compassion and dignity. Daniel Pitino Shelter, with a 31-year legacy, believes that every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild and reclaim their lives, regardless of their past or present challenges. These shelters offer more than just a bed — they provide case management, skills training, mental health support, and a pathway toward independence.
This compassionate mission benefits not only individuals but entire families, such as the nine families and 19 children currently residing at Daniel Pitino Shelter. For children, these shelters provide the security and stability that are critical to emotional and physical well-being. By helping these families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency, shelters contribute to a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
The importance of community support for shelters
Though some shelters receive modest funding from religious organizations or government sources, most rely heavily on community support to keep their doors open. At St. Benedict’s Shelter, for example, 90% of the annual budget comes from community contributions, while church support accounts for only a small fraction. The same is true for shelters throughout our region, where community generosity is crucial to keeping these vital resources available.
To sustain their operations and expand their impact in 2025, shelters need continued support from individuals who believe in their mission. Specific programs like the “Bed Sponsor” initiative at St. Benedict’s Shelter and the “Funding a Family” campaign at Daniel Pitino Shelter allow community members to make a tangible difference:
- Sponsor a bed at St. Benedict’s Shelter – For just $500, you can sponsor a bed that directly supports an individual’s journey toward stability. This contribution goes a long way in helping the 64 men staying with us each night, along with the 500 men we serve each year, access essential services and resources.
- Fund a family at Daniel Pitino Shelter – Our “Funding a Family” initiative provides a unique way to support single women, families, and children in need. A $1,000 donation can fund a room for a family of four for an entire month, while a $5,000 donation keeps the soup kitchen running for a month, providing nearly 6,000 meals.
Community shelters also offer various giving options — from small, monthly donations to one-time contributions — all of which go directly toward providing food, shelter, and essential services. Whether it’s supporting St. Benedict’s, Daniel Pitino, or another shelter in the community, your support helps sustain this vital work.
A shelter’s impact on the community: Strengthening the safety net for all
The closure of even a single shelter has far-reaching consequences. Without enough shelters, more individuals would face homelessness on the streets, creating strain on local emergency services, healthcare resources, and public spaces. Shelters act as a vital safety net, not only for those who need shelter but for the community at large. By offering safe spaces and transitional support, shelters prevent the social and economic consequences that homelessness can have on public resources, local businesses, and neighborhoods.
Supporting shelters is a community-wide responsibility that benefits us all. When shelters have the resources they need to operate effectively, they create positive outcomes across society, helping people find stability, achieve self-sufficiency, and contribute to the local economy. These programs help break the cycle of homelessness, turning vulnerable moments into opportunities for growth and resilience.
Your role in 2025: Support the mission, sustain the community
As we enter this season of giving, we invite you to join us in sustaining the life-changing work that shelters like St. Benedict’s, Daniel Pitino, and others provide. Your donation — whether through sponsoring a bed, funding a family, or contributing to a general fund — helps ensure that our community shelters can continue their mission, keeping people safe, empowered, and moving toward brighter futures.
Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and belief in a community where everyone has the chance to thrive. With your support, we can make 2025 a year of hope, resilience, and renewed opportunity for all who need it most.
Written by
Harry E. Pedigo MSSW, MHFAI, CENM
Executive Director
Daniel Pitino and St. Benedict Shelters
