Hub of Hope

The Hub of Hope began in January 2011 as part of the Philadelphia Winter Initiative—a city wide program to open more spaces during the coldest months of the year. The Hub opened each winter from January through April for a few hours each day. An important purpose of the Hub of Hope was to meet the City’s most vulnerable residents where they were—namely, in the Suburban Station Concourse. The original Hub of Hope was roughly 900 square feet, located in a former salon store front. In the summer of 2017, Project HOME began conversations with SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia, and 6 months later, the Hub opened as a year-round program on January 31, 2018.

The Hub of Hope offers a safe place where people who are experiencing homelessness can enjoy a warm cup of coffee, take a shower, wash their laundry, and speak to peers or resource coordinators and ultimately, begin the process of finding a permanent home. In addition to social services, the Hub of Hope offers a range of health care services, including—primary medical care, behavioral health care, and reproductive health services.

Daily services include:
Resource Coordination (Case Management)
Coffee Station
Showers (6 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
Laundry (6 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.)
Transportation to Shelter with CATCH
The Living Room

The best way to get involved and get to know the Hub of Hope better is to visit the Project HOME’s website and find a volunteer opportunity that best suits you! Head to projecthome.org/volunteer to sign up to volunteer, to give, or read about the impact of Project HOME on the Philadelphia community.

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Head inside for more information, then check below for what's next:

Alberto Alvarez

Oh no! You forgot! Quick, check your pockets. When you were released, you were given an appointment card. But in all of the hustle and bustle, you never checked to see when you have to report to Philadelphia Probation and Parole. Did you miss your appointment? Even if so, it’s probably a good idea to walk over to their facility and get your bearings. You think you might know where the office is, but you decide to go to the address on the card to be sure.

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

1. Do you know what the difference is between probation and parole?
2. Are all returning citizens required to be on probation or parole?
3. What restrictions/requirements might you expect as someone on probation or parole?

Bret Boone

You bump into a young man, Bill. Bill is wearing a white, cut-off t-shirt, and a coffee-stained Phillies cap. He asks you for a cigarette as you strike up a conversation. He has been in and out of the city’s shelters for the past three years. He says one of the hardest things has been staying healthy.

You realize the next few weeks are going to be a lot. You need a place that will see you without making things complicated: a walk-in place where you can get a checkup and talk through mental health or medications. Bill mentions someone told him about a new clinic that is built for returning citizens where ICJ Philly FIGHT used to be. He remembers it’s on the 2nd floor but doesn’t remember the street address. You’ll probably have to ask someone to look it up.

While you are walking there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:
1. What health issue would be easiest to put off, and what could happen if you did?
2. What happens to someone's medical care when they're released in the middle of treating a chronic condition — diabetes, HIV, a mental health diagnosis?

Christopher Caine

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Derek Dodd

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Erik Elkins

Day One is over, but the challenge of reentry is only just beginning. You have found a place to sleep and eat for the next 30 days at Philly House. You connected with medical services at Project HOME’s Hub of Hope. You know where to go when it is time to check in with your P.O., and you have looked into the vocational support offered at ICJ. Now it is time to rest, because you will have to take to the city streets bright and early tomorrow morning. What do you think you should work on next?

Are you prescribed any medication, and have you been taking it since your release? Do you know where you can go to find a Primary Care provider, or how you will pay for the visit? How’s your mental health? Do you have any job leads yet? Don’t let the “to-do” list overwhelm you, but understand that you still have a lot of work to do.

As you head back to the Day One Challenge reflection at First Baptist Church, take some time to reflect upon the following questions with your group:

1. What surprised you the most about the Day One Challenge today?
2. Was anything more difficult than you anticipated?
3. Knowing what you know now, what do you think is the greatest challenge facing returning citizens in Philadelphia?

Redemption Housing’s vision is to provide returning citizens with transitional housing, mentoring relationships, and support as they work towards independent living. If you were a resident in one of Redemption Housing’s programs, how do you think their volunteers would have been able to help you today?

Frederick Foreman

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Gregory Gadsden

Henry Holmes

Jeremiah Jones

As you head back to the Day One Challenge reflection at First Baptist Church, take some time to reflect upon the following questions with your group:

Karl Kolinski

As you head back to the Day One Challenge reflection at First Baptist Church, take some time to reflect upon the following questions with your group:

Michael Mastellone

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Nicholas Neary

ANicholas Neary

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Patrick Pillman

One of your first priorities is to find somewhere to sleep tonight. When you arrived back in Philadelphia, someone handed you a “Where to Turn” pamphlet in the SEPTA terminal. Take a look at the pamphlet. Does it include any information about area shelters? Because it’s a Saturday morning, your options might be limited. You don’t have a cell phone yet, so you can’t call around. Do any of the shelter options catch your eye?

Now you also realize that you’re getting hungry. Very hungry. People in your position usually have a few options. They might panhandle for spare change or a bite to eat outside of the local sandwich shop, or they might use the “Where to Turn” guide to find a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Many soup kitchens are closed on weekends. Perhaps when you arrive, you can ask the shelter if they have any suggestions.

Pick a shelter that houses men, and visit there next. Hopefully, the shelter can give you a place to stay until you are able to find a more long-term solution. Even better would be a meal to hold you over too.

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Do you have any fears about sleeping in a shelter? What if the shelter is crowded and you have to risk heat exhaustion outside?
What would you say are the main causes of homelessness? Why?
Have you ever been inside a homeless shelter? Tell the group about your experiences.
How many more stops can you make before you need food and water?

Ralph Reed

Salvador Salas

While you are heading there, take some time to talk through the following questions with your group:

Lost?

Call 864-508-0892