St. Patrick's Haven

Help the Homeless Challenge

Stand with Us This Erie Gives Day – August 11, 2026

There is no better way to begin understanding the hardships of homelessness than by spending a single night "sleeping on the street." While one night can never fully reflect the daily reality our guests endure, it’s a powerful act of solidarity, a way to walk beside our dear neighbors who are unhoused and say, "We see you. We care. We are here."

This Erie Gives Day, we are asking for your help to raise $40,000 to support our mission at St. Patrick’s Haven. If we reach our goal, several of our board members will spend the night outside near the Haven to honor the experiences of the men we serve.

Why $40,000?

For over 40 years, St. Patrick’s Haven has provided overnight shelter to homeless men in Erie with dignity, compassion, and respect. When you support us through Erie Gives, the Erie Community Foundation covers all fees, and a portion of your gift is matched—allowing your donation to go even further in supporting our mission.

Each evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., our shelter offers more than just a place to sleep. We provide:

• Clean bedding and bathing facilities
• A safe, peaceful space for rest and companionship
• Coffee and a snack or meal on weekends.

We can accommodate 22 men nightly, with an additional 5 emergency cots during Erie’s harsh winter months. Our guests come from all walks of life—many are veterans, others face challenges related to addiction, mental health, incarceration, or personal crises. Whatever their circumstances, we greet every man with unconditional dignity and respect.

Our Impact (July 2025–June 2026):

• 189 men served
• 7,480 bed nights provided
• 496 emergency cot nights
• Shelter operated at 91% occupancy across the year, despite increasing capacity to 26 beds during the winter months
• 20% of beds served veterans, 1 in every 5 bed nights was provided to a veteran
• More than 39 nights of shelter were provided, on average, to each man served