Pope Francis Center
Building bridges to a better tomorrow
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PFC-Connect is a FREE APP that connects individual and famiies to essentialresouirces in Chicago.
Planning for Life
The Power of Planning: Reclaiming Control in Life's Unpredictable Journey
Life often throws challenges our way—some expected, some completely unforeseen. As overwhelming as these transitions may feel, planning can help us regain a sense of control and move forward with dignity. For those facing housing instability, every decision counts. It's about breaking down the enormity of change into manageable steps and tackling one challenge at a time. At Pope Francis Center, we understand the emotional and logistical hurdles of navigating life's toughest moments. Through resources like the PFC Connect App and the housing guide, we aim to empower individuals with the tools to plan their recovery journey. Whether it's finding shelter for the night, accessing mental health support, or simply knowing where to begin, planning restores confidence and fosters resilience. Planning is not just about logistics—it's about hope. It's a reminder that even in the face of adversity, progress is possible, one step at a time. You are not forgotten. You are worthy of safety, respect, and a brighter future
El Poder de la Planificación: Recuperando el Control en el Viaje Impredecible de la Vida
La vida a menudo nos presenta desafíos, algunos esperados, otros completamente imprevistos. Por abrumadoras que puedan parecer estas transiciones, la planificación puede ayudarnos a recuperar un sentido de control y avanzar con dignidad. Para aquellos que enfrentan inestabilidad de vivienda, cada decisión cuenta. Se trata de desglosar la enormidad del cambio en pasos manejables y abordar un desafío a la vez. En el Centro Papa Francisco, entendemos los obstáculos emocionales y logísticos de navegar por los momentos más difíciles de la vida. A través de recursos como la aplicación PFC Connect y la guía de vivienda, nuestro objetivo es empoderar a las personas con las herramientas para planificar su viaje de recuperación. Ya sea que se trate de encontrar refugio para pasar la noche, acceder a apoyo de salud mental o simplemente saber por dónde empezar, la planificación restaura la confianza y fomenta la resiliencia. La planificación no se trata solo de logística, se trata de esperanza. Es un recordatorio de que, incluso frente a la adversidad, el progreso es posible, un paso a la vez. No se te olvida. Eres digno de seguridad, respeto y un futuro mejor.
About us
At the Pope Francis Center, we are here to help you and your family learn about ways to improve your life. We will work with you to find programs that can help you and your family and to find ways to help you achieve your goals. Our first step will be for our staff to learn more about you and your family.
“No works of charity are foreign to us.”
Saint Vincent de Paul
Nuestra misión es servir a las personas y familias que viven en Chicago
En el Centro Papa Francisco, estamos aquí para ayudarlo a usted y a su familia a aprender formas de mejorar su vida. Trabajaremos con usted para encontrar programas que puedan ayudarle a usted y a su familia y para encontrar formas de ayudarle a alcanzar sus metas. Nuestro primer paso será que nuestro personal aprenda más sobre usted y su familia.
“Ninguna obra de caridad es ajena a nosotros.”
San Vincente De Paul
Where to find us......
- 3534 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Hours:- Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 4pm
Services
Here is a list of some of the things we can help you with:
Aquí hay una lista de algunas de las cosas en las que podemos ayudarle:
Please consider making a donation today
Please consider making a donation today
health & wellness day
backpack distribution under the viaducts
those in need
Our Team
Ann McCormick
President
Ann is a founding member of the Pope Francis Center. Serves as Vice District President of District IV for the Society of St Vincent de Paul and is the current president of the Queen of Apostles SVdP Conference.
Victoria Granadillo
Case Manager
My name is Victoria Granadillo and I have been helping in the position of Case Management at Pope Francis Center Chicago with the Spanish-speaking community in various needs, which I enjoy and I am glad to be able to help find solutions.
Sr Mary Salem BIsong-PHJC
Volunteer - Mission Driven
I belong to the Order of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and joined Pope Francis Center in January, 2025. Jesus’s face is what I see on those I meet each day at PFC and that reminds me of my call of being a Poor Handmaid, a humble servant responding to the needs of time. I’m super grateful to be missioning here.
Pamela Matambanadzo
Treasuer/Operations
Pam is a founding member of PFC and serves as our treasurer as well is overseeing the day to day operations of the center. She is the current president of the Saint Ita, Mary, Mother of God Conference.
Dave McNaughton
Board Member/Secretary
I am a SVdP member for 15 years, and current president of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Conference. I am also the coordinator of the St. Cornelius Food Pantry, and a regular volunteer for the Mission of OLA.
Br Jim Forgarty
Board Member
Br. Jim Fogarty is Executive Director of Brothers and Sisters of Love. Br. Jim has worked with street gangs and the poor since 1987. He holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Catholic Theological Union.
Marianne Lynch
Board Member
After retiring from 40 years in Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Chicago as both a teacher and administrator, I knew that I had the time and opportunity to do more. I chose to join the St. Pascal Conference where my mother was a founding member. I am honored to be able to carry on the service that she and others provided to our community.
Jeff Leach
Board Member
Jeff Leach Board Member Jeffrey Leach has been a member of the Saint Ita, Mary, Mother of God conference of the St. Vincent DePaul Society for twenty years and is currently vice-president..
Rosemary Ihejirika
Board Member
Rosemary is the current Treasurer of District Four and a member of the Saint Ita, Mary, Mother of God Conference.
Nancy Hernandez
Board Member
I came to Chicago In the year 2017 after Hurricane Maria. I met Ian Ryder (former Case Manager) and he welcomed me to Pope Francis Center
Mark Stemper
Board Member
I am a SVDP member for over twenty years. I was the former president of District 3 and St. Tarcissus conference( St. Elizabeth of the Trinity).
Make A Donation
We cannot do this alone so we ask you to consider helping us meet the costs of providing for those living on the fringe of society.
No donation is too small to make the world of difference to the the lives of those who do not know when next they will get a meal or a bath.
Thank you!
Privacy
The Pope Francis Center Chicago (PFC) knows that you care how information about you is used and shared, and we appreciate your trust that we will do so carefully and sensibly. This notice describes our privacy policy. By visiting www.svdpusa.org, or through social media correspondence (such as PFC‘s Facebook profile), you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Notice.
The Simple Version
We use your contact information for in-house purposes only, and do not share any information about you with third parties. Registration and purchases made through our website also opt you into our e-newsletter and email listserv, from which you are able to unsubscribe at any time.
What Personal Information Does Pope Francis Center Chicago (PFC) Gather?
Information You Give Us
We receive and store any information you enter into our website or give us in any other way. This includes donating to us, or submitting a form (such as a comment) on our website. We ask for personal information so that we can fulfill your request and return your message. If you choose not to provide any of that information, we may not be able to fulfill your request, but you will still be free to browse the other sections of the websites owned and administered by PFC.
Terms of Use
1. Introduction
Welcome to Neighborly, an app developed and managed by Pope Francis Center Chicago. This app provides individuals with access to community resources such as shelters, meal programs, medical assistance, and other supportive services.
By using the Neighborly app, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use the app.
By accessing and using the Neighborly app, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms and any updates that may be made periodically. We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. Continued use of the app after changes are made constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
The Neighborly app serves as a directory of community services and resource navigation tool. It provides users with information on:
- Food assistance (soup kitchens, food pantries).
- Emergency shelters and transitional housing.
- Medical and mental health services.
- Transportation assistance.
- Other community and social services.
By using this app, you agree to:
- Use it only for lawful purposes.
- Not attempt to hack, alter, or gain unauthorized access to any part of the app.
- Respect the privacy and dignity of individuals and organizations listed.
- Not misuse the information provided, including but not limited to harassment or unauthorized solicitation.
While we strive to keep the information in the Neighborly app accurate and up to date, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service listings. Service availability, locations, and policies may change without notice.
We encourage users to contact service providers directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The Neighborly app is provided "as is", without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.
Pope Francis Center Chicago, its affiliates, employees, or volunteers shall not be liable for:
- Errors or omissions in service listings.
- The availability, quality, or effectiveness of listed services.
- Any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from reliance on the information in the app.
- Third-party actions, including service denial, policy enforcement, or changes in eligibility requirements.
The Neighborly app may contain links to external websites or third-party services, including Google Maps for navigation. These external services are not operated or controlled by Pope Francis Center Chicago.
We do not endorse, monitor, or take responsibility for:
- The content or policies of third-party sites.
- Any transactions, interactions, or disputes between users and external services.
We respect user privacy and are committed to safeguarding personal information. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand:
- What data we collect.
- How data is used and stored.
- How users can manage their data.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate any user’s access to the Neighborly app at any time, without prior notice, if:
- The user violates these Terms of Use.
- The app is discontinued or undergoes major changes.
- Required by law or legal enforcement.
These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, USA, without regard to conflicts of law principles.
If you have questions or concerns about these Terms of Use, please contact:
📍 Pope Francis Center Chicago📞 Phone: 773.360.0093📧 Email: support@popefranciscenter-svdp.org📍 Address: 3534 W. Diversey, Chicago, IL 60647
Partner - SVdP Conferences
Queen of Apostles Parish
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the parish outreach to the poor and to our own parishioners and neighbors in need. We coordinate direct assistance, the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and the annual Easter Food Drive. Annually we also run our Tools For Success program aimed at providing the children of the families we serve with the ability of being fully equipped for the first day of school.
Learn MoreMary, Mother of God Parish
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Conference at Mary, Mother of God Parish in Chicago, originally established at Saint Ita in 1933, has been reactivated to serve the community's vulnerable members. With over 25 years of combined experience, the conference members are dedicated to providing personal support to those in need, offering services such as emergency aid for rent, utilities, and food assistance. They also engage in advocacy through the Voice of the Poor initiative, addressing systemic issues affecting the impoverished. Additionally, the conference operates the Vincentian Open Arms program, which offers ESL and sewing classes to empower individuals with new skills. Their office is located at 4728 North Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640. SVDP-AT-MMOG.ORG As a partner of the Pope Francis Center Chicago, the SVdP Conference at Mary, Mother of God Parish collaborates to extend comprehensive support services to the community. This partnership enhances the reach and effectiveness of both organizations in addressing the needs of Chicago's underserved populations. Website: www.svdp-at-mmog.org
Learn MoreSaint Pascals
On Ash Wednesday, 1983, Saint Pascal was installed as a conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Since that time, the Saint Pascal conference has provided thousands of dollars in food and hours of service to our parishioners and the community.
Learn MoreSaint Elizabeth Conference
The Saint Vincent De Paul Society was first started at Saint Tarcissus in 1926. Today the Saint Vincent De Paul members at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity faithfully carry on the tradition of the Patron Saint of the poor. No act of charity is foreign to the needs of the poor. We service the unhoused who have made the surrounding parks their home.
Learn More
