St. Vincent de Paul Opens New Family Resource Center, Expanded Shelter and Homeless Services

Phoenix, AZ
(
May 18, 2018
)

On May 18, St. Vincent de Paul will celebrate the grand opening of a new building on its main downtown campus. The building, constructed by Ryan Companies, houses a new family resource center, expanded shelter for the elderly and disabled, and homeless services.  

The new 40,000 square foot building is the organization’s first capital project in 25 years. The project is an exciting new chapter for St. Vincent de Paul, as it will expand capacity in the following ways:

  • Expanded shelter for the elderly and disabled. Increasing from 49 beds to 60 beds.
  • New, dedicated space and services for homeless families, including additional showers for men, women and children, health screening, and job readiness services.
  • Additional intake offices, classrooms, a computer lab and a food pantry to support enhanced services helping people end homelessness.

The opening of the newly expanded services is in perfect timing as the community has been seeing increasing need for services to prevent and end homelessness. According to Maricopa County, the number of people who are homeless and unsheltered has more than doubled since 2014.

This is all part of a $16 million capital project, completely funded by private donors and foundations. In addition to the new building, the project includes the recently opened Rob and Melani Walton Urban Farm and upcoming expansion of the Virginia G. Piper Medical and Dental Clinic.

“Thanks to the support of the community, volunteers and donors, St. Vincent de Paul’s renewed campus not only offers life-giving services to feed, clothe, house and heal, but also provides tools, solutions, and support to help individuals and families lift themselves out of poverty,” said Associate Executive Director and Chief Philanthropy Officer Shannon Clancy. “The fact that it was funded by private dollars is a true testament to the compassion and care of our community.”

With this grand opening, St. Vincent de Paul will immediately begin the second phase of the project to expand its Virginia G. Piper Medical and Dental Clinic. The project will double the dental operatory space from eight to 16 and double the medical patient capacity as well. Last year, the clinic provided over 16,000 appointments to uninsured patients.