HOMELESS, NOT HELPLESS
Poverello House
Believing in the dignity of every person, at Poverello House we work to enrich the lives and spirits of all who pass our way by stewarding the resources made available to us through Providential and community support.
Poverello House is more than a soup kitchen. For nearly 50 years, the organization has provided direct services to those experiencing homelessness in Fresno County. Providing food for those who are homeless and hungry is at the core of their work—they serve three meals a day every day of the year, rain or shine. Yet beyond food and shelter, Poverello House provides a wide variety of support resources, including mental health services, outreach, medical and dental care, showers, laundry, rehabilitation, shelter, rapid rehousing, a dog kennel, transportation, clothing, mail access, case management and navigation assistance, and more. Their mission as well as every aspect of their work begins with the idea that all people have value and deserve dignity.
Chief Executive Officer Zachary D. Darrah has made Poverello House’s mission of believing in the dignity of every person his own. “At Poverello House, we work to enrich the lives and spirits of all who pass our way by stewarding the resources made available to us through Providential and community support.” Poverello House does everything it can to enrich the lives of every person it encounters. Last year, they provided nearly 1,000,000 meals in the community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they have stayed fully open and even expanded their extensive services. “We take the stewardship of resources very seriously and maximize every resource given to us to serve others.”
The work of Poverello House founder Mike McGarvin, who is affectionately referred to as “Papa Mike,” has evolved greatly since the organization’s inception in 1973 while also upholding the founding pillars of meals, shelter, and social services. Papa Mike began by passing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to people experiencing homelessness in the Chinatown area of Fresno and lived by the motto, “Serve with a kind heart and warm smile.” “Since then,” says Darrah, “Poverello House has evolved into a full-service social service organization dedicated to providing services and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.”
Believing in the dignity of every person, regardless of their circumstances or location, sets Poverello House’s approach apart from that of other non-profits. “Whether they are living on a freeway embankment or at our emergency shelters, we strive to provide state-of-the-art programs,” Darrah shares. “Our organization is also a housing first and low-barrier facility, meaning we do not require people experiencing homelessness to address all their problems, including behavioral health problems, or graduate through a series of programs before accessing services. We believe that any person experiencing homelessness who accesses our services can find a pathway out of homelessness and become a thriving community member.”
While homelessness is not a new issue, it became more widely apparent due to pandemic trickle‑down and resulted in many new non-profit partnerships. “When the pandemic started, Poverello House was one of the few social organizations that provided direct assistance to people experiencing homelessness,” explains Darrah. “To ensure clients were still able to access services, Poverello House formed public and private partnerships. To ensure clients had access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, Poverello House partnered with UCSF and Family Care Network. Through these partnerships, over 400 people received vaccines. Poverello House also partnered with the City of Fresno to provide outreach services to people who were living on the freeways’ embankments and off-ramps. Poverello House also worked with local farmers and food banks to provide emergency food bags to families and individuals who could not work because of the pandemic.”
Additionally, Poverello House is an emergency shelter provider, with three programs dedicated to housing those in need. Naomi’s House is the only shelter for single homeless women in Fresno County (42 beds). Village of Hope is their co-ed shelter (120 beds). Poverello House also has a six-month residential Men’s Rehabilitation Program for substance abuse on campus (32 beds). All shelters and services provided adopt a low-barrier approach. Each night, the facilities are at full capacity.
There are resources for practically every facet of homelessness at Poverello House. Each day, the organization provides more than 2,700 hot meals on-site as well as to community partners off‑site. Their HOPE Outreach Team of 16 members is out on the streets daily. “The Enrichment Center provides mental health services, including crisis intervention, assessments, treatment plans, wellness coaching, individual and group therapy, community linkages, and other resources,” explains Darrah. Moreover, “MAP Point connects people to medical care, mental health services, substance abuse programs, employment opportunities, and emergency and permanent housing.”
COVID-19 has made a difference in community needs, and Poverello House is doing what it can to fulfill them. “Today, Poverello House sees an increased demand for food, shelter, mental health services, and volunteers due to the ongoing pandemic. We will always remain open despite the pandemic. Poverello House has provided more than 20,000 emergency food bags, and tens of thousands of hot meals were provided for the new emergency shelters in the City of Fresno,” Darrah details. The organization added 28 beds to their campus, increasing their nights of shelter from the previous year. The opening of the Enrichment Center, which has licensed clinicians, now allows them to provide mental health services on campus, as well.
The partnerships that Poverello House has formed are a vital component of its outreach to those struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “In partnership with UCSF and Family HealthCare Network, Poverello House offers weekly COVID testing, vaccines, and booster shots for our clients, residents, and staff. FEMA provided trailers for our residents that tested positive for COVID to give them a safe and separate space while they recover. With the help of Fresno County, Poverello House installed four additional handwashing stations,” lists Darrah. “Poverello House also distributed more than 100,000 masks to our clients during the first year of the pandemic. Poverello House added additional navigators to MAP Point because of the sudden increase in demand for services when social service agencies closed.”
While Poverello House’s resources are vast, there is always a need for more help. “Those looking to get involved at Poverello House can dedicate their time, talent, or treasure,” Darrah offers. “Volunteers make it possible for us to serve more than 2,700 hot meals daily. Volunteer opportunities include prepping and serving meals, sorting and distributing clothing, and special events, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Papa Mike’s Café. Those wanting to support Poverello House financially can make individual/recurring donations, planned giving, or stock donations. Poverello House is always in need of in-kind donations, such as food, clothing, or household items.” Monetary donations can be made by visiting the website or calling directly.
“The best way to get in touch with Poverello House as a volunteer/supporter is to visit our website at www.poverellohouse.org. Our volunteer opportunities are listed on the website. To support Poverello House, click on the donate button,” explains Darrah. “To donate food, clothing, or household items, call 559.498.6988 or email info@poverellohouse.org. The drive‑through donation lane is open 7 days a week to accept donations,” and the drop-off gate is located off G Street between Santa Clara and San Benito. Those seeking assistance can contact Poverello House 24/7 through the same main phone number or on weekdays through MAP Point at 559.512.6777. From food and shelter to direct services, Fresno County’s homeless are not helpless thanks to Poverello House.
Headquarters
412 F Street
Fresno, CA 93706
559.498.6988
