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Ministry of Presence

St. Martin's Programs are committed to a "Ministry of Presence."  We believe that each person who comes through our doors must be treated with dignity and acceptance.  We must always meet people where they are -- not where we wish they were.  We believe that building close relationships with the people we serve is the ground for change and wholeness.  We believe that creating community and home for people is the best way for all of us to flourish and grow.  We believe that we are called into a life that protects the dignity of each person and provides for the basic needs of all.

Since 2012, the year St. Martin's Programs added case managers, we have helped an average of 100 homeless seniors move into permanent housing annually!

 

Generous donations through our golf tournament allow our programs to continue providing critical care to Seattle’s most vulnerable population.  Below, read about former resident Alton who, in gratitude for the services he received at our programs, returns to St. Martin de Porres Shelter at Christmastime and Father's Day to deliver gifts for current residents.

Alton

Alton has been in permanent housing for seven years and enjoys sharing his personal story.  He grew up in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle; playing Little League Baseball; and drinking alcohol that was hidden in the house when he was young.  Later, he experimented with other drugs and became a functioning alcoholic and addict for many years.  Alton worked as a welder in the shipyards, married, and started a family.  Eventually the drugs took over his life and he lost everything.

A Lazarus Center staff person saw Alton daily Former Shelter resident shares his life story at Golf Tournament hanging out in front of convenience store and invited Alton to the Center. “For some reason, I listened to him and decided to go...I began to spend my days at the Lazarus and my nights at St. Martin’s. The staff really took me under their wing, they loved me when I didn’t love myself. I felt good again and began to trust them,” Alton explained. He began volunteering and working with St. Martin’s housing case managers.

After moving into his own apartment, Alton had a relapse and was in danger of losing his housing.  St. Martin’s case managers guided him back on track. Alton got sober; is involved in his church again; goes to daily AA meetings; sees his kids; and has a relationship with his granddaughter.  “I honestly believe I’d be dead if it wasn’t for the Lord and the staff of St. Martin’s.  They never gave up on me and showed me real love,”


Who We Are

St. Martin’s Programs are three distinct programs serving older and disabled homeless individuals in downtown Seattle.  In 2023, St. Martin’s Programs provided 56,575 shelter bed nights; served over 170,000 meals; and helped over 100 homeless seniors move into permanent housing!

  • St. Martin de Porres Shelter
    A safe shelter for 52 men age 50 and older.  The Shelter is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Services include hot meals, clothing, hygiene facilities, laundry room, housing case management, veterans’ support, medical care, and counseling referrals.  St. Martin's has also partnered with King County to open Junction Point Shelter which serves 50 senior adults in pallet/tiny homes.
     
  • Junction Point Shelter
    A pallet home community for homeless men and women ages 50 and older.  This shelter program, comprising tiny houses, serves 50 people and is open year-round:  24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services include hot meals; hygiene facilities; nursing care; mental health and substance-use counseling; and housing case management.  
     
  • St. Martin's on Westlake
    Permanent, single-room-occupancy housing and support services for chronically homeless men 55 years of age and older.  The program serves 53 previously homeless men in downtown Seattle who, in addition to housing, receive meals, health care services, chemical dependency counseling, case management, and help with daily living.  The Westlake helps people successfully make the transition from homelessness into housing.
                  

What We Do

St. Martin’s Programs serve the special population of older homeless men and women who are vulnerable to the weather, young street predators, and illness. Our programs serve high needs households by having low barriers to entry.  We accept people who have special needs and no other place to go.

Our efforts are focused on providing basic survival and social services, as well as actively moving older homeless men and women into permanent homes.



 

THANK YOU to our sponsors!