Pinellas Hope 

Catholic Charities, in partnership with the interfaith community, local government, businesses and other not-for-profits, established Pinellas Hope on December 1, 2007 on 10 acres of land located in Clearwater and donated by the Diocese of St. Petersburg (Bishop Robert N. Lynch) with the goal of assisting homeless adults on the streets by providing temporary emergency shelter. Initially consisting of 250 units of emergency shelter (tents) and little else,

Pinellas Hope has grown over the years to include the Pinellas Hope II expansion (2010) which consisted of a community center with permanent offices, (warming) kitchen, meeting rooms (library and computer room), a pavilion/covered dining area, men’s and women’s bathrooms with showers, and a laundry room. It also included 80 efficiency apartments (including 5 that are ADA-accessible) providing permanent supportive housing to residents of Pinellas Hope to prepare to return to regular housing.

In 2017 Pinellas Hope (Pinellas Hope III, IV, and V expansion) grew again to add an additional 76 subsidized efficiency apartment units, including 40 that are dedicated for U.S. Military veterans, and including 5 units that are ADA-accessible. Bishop Gregory L. Parkes dedicated these units in a Blessing Ceremony held on April 18, 2017.

Intake to Pinellas Hope is facilitated by three Community Outreach teams. Residents are assisted with food, transportation, employment assistance and numerous “wrap-around” social services, including medical and dental services, eye exams, adult education/GED classes, mental health services and many more.

In April, 2016, Pinellas Hope introduced Hope Cottages™ with a dedication and blessing ceremony conducted by Bishop Robert N. Lynch. Hope Cottages are 20-foot steel shipping containers that have been reconfigured to create 3 rooms in which residents live and that replace tents. Hope Cottages provide greater safety (can withstand Cat IV Hurricane winds), security (lockable front door, with peephole and exterior light), and comfort (bed with mattress, night light, electric outlet and USB outlet, window for natural light,and air conditioning). They provide residents with an enhanced living foundation from which to build as they work with our assistance towards a return to self-sufficiency.

About Catholic Charities
Since 1945, Catholic Charities has provided strategic alliances, advocacy and a broad array of social services designed to: Support and preserve families and promote self- sufficiency and social justice. Catholic Charities is an accredited agency and leader in serving the poor and vulnerable. We operate more than 1700 units of housing and are committed to partnering to solve our challenging homelessness issues. Catholic Charities presently serves all residents of Citrus, Hernando Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties regardless of race, creed, gender, national origin, handicapping condition or socio-economic status.

About Pinellas Hope
Pinellas Hope, a program of Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg opened on 10 acres of land provided by Bishop Robert N. Lynch and the Diocese of St. Petersburg. It was developed as a pilot program in December 2007 and continues to provide a comprehensive array of services and shelter to homeless individuals. Today, Pinellas Hope continues its mission of providing a safe living environment and the necessary support for homeless adults to become self-sufficient. Since its formation, Pinellas Hope has served over 10,000 people and served over 1.6 million meals.

Contact: To learn more about Catholic Charities or Pinellas Hope. Contact Joe Pondolfino:

Joseph Pondolfino
Pinellas Hope Manager
5726 126th Avenue North
Clearwater, Florida 33760
(727) 556-6397 Office
Joe’s Email

www.ccdosp.org