Emergency Homeless Shelter
St. Francis of Assisi Parish – 2018
“If we can enter the church day and night and implore God to hear our prayers, how careful we should be to hear and grant the petitions of our neighbors in need.”
— St. Francis of Assisi
About Our Project

There are over 7,000 homeless in the Silicon Valley. In 2016, with the anticipation of predicted severe winter weather fueled by El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean, Bishop McGrath asked parishes in the diocese to consider opening their facilities. St. Francis of Assisi was one of the parishes who answered the call. The Emergency Homeless Shelter Program was established as a parish priority by Msgr. Gene, and the community came together to refuge the homeless during the winter months.
Our project brought us together as a community, and gave us the opportunity to develop a fellowship, while servicing our neighbors in need. We collaborated with fellow parish Most Holy Trinity and even the Evergreen Valley United Methodist Church, making our program an interdenominational effort.
Our intent is not to fix situations, reform character, or to convert. What we are trying to do is clothe the human spirit with dignity, feed the soul with kindness, and to give not what is deserved, but what is needed.
Our hope is that by doing so, we open eyes, both theirs and ours, to the mercy and love that is our religion and faith.
In 2018, we continue this tradition.
Rotation Schedule

We work in close collaboration with Most Holy Trinity, sharing resources and rotating sheltering schedules. Our guest alternate one to two weeks at a time at each parish.
Evergreen Valley United Methodist Church also participates during times when both facilities are not available.
This year, our program runs from January 1 to April 8
Services
Volunteer Opportunities


The success of our program is entirely dependent on the dedicated efforts and contributions of the community. We invite all who are interested, and would like to help our homeless brothers, to join us.
We are in need of volunteers for several roles, as listed below. To sign up, click on the button for each opportunity. You will be redirected to our sign up site, which has calendars showing specific dates and available slots. Gaps in the signup calendars are due to our guests staying at MHT for that week.
Contact information for the coordinators of the different areas is also provided. Please don’t hesitate to touch bases if you need additional information, or have a change in sign up schedule.
Setup
6:30pm to 8:00pm
Opens the storage container, and works with the guests to set up the facility. Also arranges tables, chairs and dividers. Works with evening meal crew to facilitate setup for dinner.
Main duty is to provide male presence until Evening Host arrives.
For more info contact:
Jess Parayno
Phone: (408) 802-8266
Email: jess.parayno@gmail.com
Intake
7:00pm to 8:00pm
Conducts nightly intake of guests. Greets, confirms screening for new guests, distributes comfort supplies.
For more info contact:
Robert Dolci
Phone: (408) 910-0759
Email: bobandkathleen@comcast.net
Evening Meal
7:00pm to 8:00pm
Provides, prepares, and serves evening meals. Helps clean up after meal concludes.
Please contact Tom for menu review:
Thomas Ricci
Phone: (408) 892-0167
Email: cheftricci@gmail.com
All slots are filled.
Evening Host
8:00pm to 10:00pm
Ensures the safety of shelter guests and volunteer staff by being vigilant for fire issues and reports any safety concerns. Monitors for any unusual or problematic activities. Is present until overnight security arrives.
For more info contact:
Marcos Herrera
Phone: (408) 219-8406
Email: mlhdlhee@pacbell.net
Morning Meal
5:30am to 7:00am
Provides, prepares, and serves morning meals. Helps clean up after meal concludes.
Please contact Leona for menu review:
Leona Karayan
Phone: (408) 223-2325
Email: travelwithleona@gmail.com
Donations
- Clicking on Donation Button will take you to St. Francis of Assisi Online Giving page.
- Click on the “here” link of the Quick Give block in bottom right of page.
- Click on “Continue Quick Give” in bottom right.
- Fill in the required information.
- Make sure you select “Homeless Project” in the Fund drop down in the Gift Information Column.
- Enter displayed code and click next.