About Us – St. Patrick's Haven

Our Mission
St. Patrick’s Haven offers a ministry of presence and provides a place of welcome, nightly refuge, food, comfort and friendship for homeless men in the area.

Responding to a Need

St. Patrick's Haven was founded in 1984 as a small, grassroots homeless shelter that began in response to a need. A parishioner of St. Patrick’s parish became aware of men sleeping on benches near the rectory and on sidewalk grates outside Hamot Hospital. The parishioner contacted Sister Mary Fromknecht, SSJ, Founder, and planted the seed that would grow to become St. Patrick's Haven, a homeless shelter for men.

Today, as a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwest Pennsylvania, St. Patrick’s Haven continues to provide as many as 22 men each night with a place of welcome, nightly refuge, food, comfort, and friendship. In keeping with the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we welcome the dear neighbor without distinction.

The individuals seeking shelter at the Haven may be experiencing homelessness due to addiction, mental health challenges, recent incarceration, or personal circumstances. Many of those seeking shelter are veterans. On average, we shelter 5 veterans a night.

We empower formerly homeless individuals to have a voice and choice in their organization by hiring people who have lived experience being unhoused. Our managers and assistants, who were former guests, are no longer homeless because they work for and reside at the Haven. Employing people with this lived experience better prepares us to empathize with and care for our guests needs.

Hope Restored

Throughout its journey, St. Patrick’s Haven has faced significant setbacks and challenges. Both the original and secondary facilities were ultimately deemed uninhabitable, leading to the construction of a new building in 2017.

However, in 2022, a devastating fire once again forced the shelter to close its doors. Thankfully, all guests, and even the Haven’s beloved cat, Princess, were safely evacuated. With the support of the Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania, temporary shelter was secured for our guests during the rebuilding process. The Erie community responded with incredible generosity, enabling us to complete renovations and reopen in less than a year, welcoming guests back in July 2023.

9-22-22 Outside storage roomand utility room

Roar on the Shore

Former Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott (left), Sister Mary Fromknecht, SSJ and Erie businessman, Rick Griffith break ground for the new St. Patrick’s Haven.

Sister Mary Fromknecht, SSJ, rides along in the 2014 ROAR on the Shore Faith & Freedom Ride

A year after breaking ground, construction was complete for the new home of St. Patrick’s Haven.

The first guests were welcomed into the new facility on November 17, 2017.

Seeking Shelter at the Haven:

All Are Welcome

We do not refuse shelter to anyone based on a person's national origin, race, color, religion, disability, gender identity, socioeconomic status or familial status.
We accept registered sex offender and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol as long as they do not bring them inside. In this way, we provide services other shelters do not offer for these men.

When Our Doors Are Open

We open our doors nightly at 6:30 p.m.
We close at 8 a.m. the following morning.

How to Secure a Bed

Guests who stayed at the Haven the night before must return at 6:30 p.m. to claim their bed.
All unclaimed beds at 7 p.m. will be given to guests who either did not stay at the Haven the night prior or new guests, on a first come, first served basis.
This intake begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

The Process of Checking in

PAPERWORK - Guest will complete intake paperwork and allow us to check their bags for any weapons or prohibited items, after which we will assign them a bed for the night.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS - Guests are permitted to bring in one small bag with essential items needed that evening. We provide storage located on the outside of the building for guest to store the rest of their personal belonging. This space is monitored by cameras and unlocked from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
IDENTIFICATION - All guests must provide a government-issued identification card and social security card. Guests who register without an identification card will be allowed to stay for three days and then will only be admitted again with this information or by contacting shelby.folga@ssjerie.org or 814-836-4153.