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Franciscans in Action
May 2008 e-newsletter
The Spirit of St. Francis Welcomes one and all
at the St. Francis Center in Los Angeles
Many new immigrants live in downtown Los Angeles
The St. Francis Center in Los Angeles, California is appropriately located on South Hope Street. Founded by the Order of Friars Minor in 1972, the center is now run by a combination of talented religious and lay people. The center welcomes volunteers to help continue its mission of helping the poor.
South Hope Street is in downtown Los Angeles, an area of immigrant families who are often just starting out their life in the United States. South Hope Street’s The St. Francis Center offers a variety of services from homeless breakfasts to after school programs. It also makes an effort to reach out to parishes, schools, and other organizations in order create a better infrastructure for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The St. Francis Center organizes activities for children
The St. Francis Center’s support to local residents plays a significant role in their wellbeing. Children whose parents work long hours, for example, become vulnerable to gang activities. The St. Francis Center finds creative and stimulating ways of keeping them busy. Poor senior citizens are at risk of not getting help if they should get sick. Loneliness can prey on their souls. At the St. Francis Center they always find a kind face willing to help. Whatever need should arise, the staff at the St. Francis Center will never ignore it. They will work to improve as many lives as they can.
We encourage you our readers to send in stories where you see the spirit of St. Francis at work in the world. Email your stories to Peter Rajchert at peter@franciscans.org.
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