On May 6, 2026, St. Francis House welcomed community leaders, elected officials, supporters, partners, staff, and friends to celebrate the completion of our newly renovated home at 39 Boylston Street in downtown Boston.
The Renovation Open House & Ribbon Cutting marked the culmination of a transformative, multi-year project designed to better support adults experiencing homelessness through a more welcoming, trauma-informed environment centered on healing, connection, and opportunity.
We were honored to be joined by Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu, along with elected officials, community partners, and supporters from across Greater Boston who gathered to tour the space and celebrate this important milestone.
For more than 40 years, St. Francis House has served as a place of refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. Today, the need for our services continues to grow. Nearly 10,000 individuals turn to St. Francis House each year for food, clothing, showers, medical care, housing support, behavioral health services, workforce development, and pathways toward long-term stability.
Originally built more than a century ago, our Boylston Street building was never designed to function as a modern human services center. This renovation reimagined the space to better meet the needs of today’s guests while creating an environment that promotes safety, calm, dignity, and connection.
The newly renovated space includes expanded and improved program areas throughout the building, including:
- A redesigned Community Center and dining space where guests can gather, eat, and connect throughout the day
- An enlarged on-site medical clinic operated in partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
- A welcoming clothing boutique where guests can select clothing in a more personalized and empowering setting
- Improved shower and hygiene facilities
- A new, light-filled expressive arts studio where guests can create and heal through art
- Enhanced recovery support and behavioral health spaces
- The Carolyn Connors Women’s Center, offering a safe and supportive environment for women experiencing homelessness
- More accessible and visible case management and support services throughout the building
The renovation was guided by trauma-informed design principles — an approach that recognizes how physical environments can affect emotional well-being, stress levels, and a person’s ability to engage with services and community. From calming colors and improved acoustics to open gathering spaces and better visibility of services, every aspect of the redesign was intended to help guests feel more welcome, supported, and empowered.
The celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary commitment of the St. Francis House staff, whose compassion and dedication make this work possible every day.
To everyone who helped bring this vision to life — donors, volunteers, partners, elected officials, staff, and supporters — thank you. Your support has helped create a space that will serve thousands of individuals each year with care, respect, and opportunity.
We invite you to explore the photos below and see highlights from this unforgettable celebration and the remarkable transformation of St. Francis House.
