The Tenderloin is not known for being very cheerful. There is homelessness and addiction ramping the area, day and night. This is a real threat to the older population. Seniors are in general more peaceful and reasonable. They come to the St Francis Living Room to socialize with others, to rest of the couches, to think about something else than the wilderness of the streets and the escape the loneliness of being homeless or living alone in an SRO. The St Francis Living Room is their morning bowl of fresh air.

A Healthy Breakfast

The breakfast that always includes a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, brown sugar and milk. The word around the neighborhood is that the St Francis Living Room has the oatmeal that just taste like back home!

2 types of sandwiches are prepared daily: always peanut butter jelly, and a special such as ham & cheese, tuna fish, egg salad, salami & cheese, etc. Fresh fruits are usually included and a little extra such as a granola bar, or some baked goods. The drinks include the choice of coffee, tea or juice. Many clients even leave with a lunch bag!

This is a good breakfast that is so needed for seniors who don’t have much to live with, or live for. The St Francis Living Room is their morning bowl of chuck.

A Relaxing Space

Homeless and low-income seniors come to the St Francis Living Room to meet others, to rest of the couches, to think about something else than the wilderness of the streets and to escape loneliness of being homeless or living in a small SRO. The St Francis Living Room is their morning bowl of fresh air.

Our clients can rest a little or they can participate to some of the entertainment. A weekly schedule of events is on each table. Examples are of entertainment to spend some valuable time at the St Francis Living Room include Movie Tuesday, classic music Wednesday, Bingo Thursday, a monthly QiGong session and a Stress Busters session; then we have special events such as an Overdose Prevention Training, Clothing Give-Away, Tech Assistance, etc.

The Living Room Effect

When homeless and low-income seniors arrive at the St Francis Living Room, they are cheerfully greeted, they go to the counter to get their healthy breakfast, they sit down at a table and they co-mingle with their peers. We see friendships started, we see smiles and hear laughs, we witness a different world than out in the streets of the Tenderloin. When our clients leaves, they are invigorated. And with some extra food that some receive when available, they have the peace that they will have a good lunch. The positive Living Room Effect is that they are invigorated and boosted for the day.