The Pope Francis Center’s Fight Against Homelessness

The Pope Francis Center is a lifeline for Detroit’s unhoused community, offering essential services six days a week. These include meals, hot showers, hygiene products, laundry facilities, medical care, haircuts, and housing assistance. These vital services are made possible through the dedication of volunteers and generous donations.

Each year, the center hosts the Building Bridges Gala, a meaningful and elegant event at Ford Field featuring a silent auction and paddle raise. The gala not only celebrates volunteers and sponsors but also raises crucial funds for future initiatives, including the Bridge Housing Campus—a program designed to help people who are experiencing homelessness by providing temporary housing as a path to permanent stability.

Thanks to community and sponsor support, the Pope Francis Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony of the Bridge Housing Campus on June 3, 2024, just three miles outside downtown Detroit. The campus features 40 studio apartments where residents stay for 90 to 120 days while receiving intensive medical, psychological, addiction, social, and job-readiness support. Each resident follows a personalized treatment plan to help them overcome complex challenges and build a sustainable future.

Through its programs and the support of its community, the Pope Francis Center is creating real change—helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

An elaborate table setting with plates, wine glasses and a with a centerpiece that reads "Table 51 Building Bridges Gala"
A line of people wearing suits and dresses check in ahead of the Building Bridges Gala at Ford Field in Detroit.
A group of people stand posing for a photo with a lion mascot on an indoor football field.
A group of five people stand on an escalator while people sit a tables in the foreground.
A group of people stand on a football field posing for a selfie with their cell phone.
A neon sign is illuminated that says "Detroit Lions, The Detroit Lions, Inc" while people stand in the foreground.
An elevated view of over twenty tables with seats neatly set up with people standing around them.
A photo of a man wearing a clerical clothing points up and smiles.
A woman is partially illuminated while smiling and talking to another woman.
A woman wearing a blue dress laughs between two women.n
A close up of sparkly, silver boots standing on turf.
A close up of sparkly, pink shoes standing on a stage..
A man wearing a 39 Detroit Lions jersey smiles while talking to another man while they stand on turf at Ford Field. A sign in the foreground reads "Kick a Field Goal!"
A woman in a blue dress kicks a football on an indoor football field as a group of people stand behind her.
A group of people in suits and gowns cheer on an indoor football field as a group of people stand behind her.
Three people standing on football turf throw their arms in the air with stadium seats in the background.
A woman wearing a red dress smiles while holding a football while bowling pins lay on the ground next to her at Ford Field during the Building Bridges Gala.
A woman stands while talking at a podium with a sign that reads "Pope Francis Center" is in the background.
A group of people talking to one another dress in suits and gowns at a gala event.
Two men hug in a crowd of people.
Two men hug while standing in a crowd of people.
A woman wearing a dress and man wearing a suit hug one another during the Building Bridges Gala at Ford Field.
Catering servers stand in a crowd, holding champagne, bowing their heads in prayer.
Gala guests sit at a table, bowing their heads in prayer.
A woman wearing a sequin gowns smiles while a man talks to her during the non profit Pope Francis Center Building Bridges Gala at Ford Field.
An older man with gray hear and blue eyes smiles while seated at a table.
A woman smiles and holds hands with man during the Building Bridges Gala event.
A man stands in a crowd, illuminated by sunlight, while holding up a painting of the Spirit of Detroit.
Two catering servers open lids to stacked plates.
Two women sit at a table and smile while eating food.
A man smiles while standing at a podium with a sign that says "Pope Francis Center" is in the background.
A man holds a microphone and points while people hold signs up with numbers.
A woman partially illuminated by stage lighting holds up a paper with a number while sitting at a table.
A man wearing a suit yells and points during the auction portion of the non profit Pope Francis Gala Building Bridges Event in Detroit.
Hands holding up numbers "325" and "741" among a crowd of tables during the fundraising portion of the non profit Pope Francis Center Building Bridges Gala at Ford Field in Detroit.
A older woman, with white hair and glasses, sits at a table, holding her hands under her chin while looking off in the distance.
A display featuring a backpack, blankets, a bench and light post are set up on turf. A sign next to the items reads "For many of our Day Center guests, this is home".
Two people stand in front of an example of a small bedroom room set up example.
A crowd of people watch a video of a construction project.
A red ribbon falls to the ground in pieces after being cut in front of a building that reads Pope Francis Center during a ceremony.
A bright green living space with a desk, chairs, lamp, coat rack, shelf, tv and bed.
Windows show a green pathway with trees surrounded by buildings on all sides.
A bright indoor space with multiple chairs, a couch and multi colored carpet.
A man closes his eyes while he hugs another man. Behind them is a sign that reads "Gene and Jeanne Lovasco and Family Main Lobby".