Welcome.
Temenos Catholic Worker is a not-for-profit ministry that provides support to homeless youth in the Polk Street neighborhood of San Francisco. Ministry is carried out in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth and in the Catholic Worker tradition of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin.
Urban Retreats and Volunteer avaliable upon request.
We are 501(c)3 Non-profit.
All Gifts Are Tax Deductible!
Donations to be used to Provide Food, Blankets for Our Homeless Neighbors!
Temenos Catholic Worker
P.O. Box 642656
San Francisco, CA 94164
www.temenos.org
415-305-2124
Give through Paypal, Check or Temenos.org
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"Christians/Catholic Workers Gone Bad!"
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Ministries Provided:
Temenos Catholic Worker works with homeless street youth providing pastoral care, food, socks, and sacramental ministry. We believe all need non-judgment in their lives, and we serve every one. Temenos meets people where they are with out regard to race, religion or sexual orientation.
We work with the poorest of the poor.
- Harm Reduction: Provision of food, clothing and other necessary personal items; needle exchange; condom distribution.
- Sacramental and Pastoral Care: As a part of providing a living presence of God's accepting love in San Francisco's Tenderloin/"Polk Gulch"/Haight districts, Fr. River Sims offers pastoral care and the Sacraments upon request.
- Referrals: Information and referrals are made for housing, medical/psychiatric services and substance abuse treatment programs as appropriate.
- Crisis Intervention
- HIV Prevention and Education
The Mission of Temenos
The very source of the compassion of Jesus is His identification with the humanity, the suffering, the rejection and the abandonment that anyone, anywhere, has ever suffered. (John 1:10-11; Hebrews 2:14-18).
Inspired by these reflections on the life of Jesus and by the ministry of Dorothy Day, Temenos Catholic Worker seeks to identify with those who find themselves abandoned and isolated in their suffering, in particular male and female sex workers and homeless gay/lesbian/transgender youth.
Ongoing Needs of Our Social Work Ministry
Temenos Catholic Worker is a not-for-profit ministry supported by the workers themselves, local churches and concerned individuals.
All donations go to serve those in need. "Overhead" costs (printing, mailing, etc.) are kept to an absolute minimum and, whenever possible, underwritten by specific designated gifts.
Why "Temenos"?
Temenos is a Greek word for an area that is cut off or separated. Harry Hay referred to it as "the edge of the village"--a dwelling place designated by some ancient societies for gays, lesbians and other outcasts. Temenos Catholic Worker seeks to reach out in the name of the Risen Christ to those who are alienated and cut off from society and to follow the model of Jesus who, as Monika Hellwig writes, was "one who entered into immediate, shockingly unconventional relationships with people, not evading the human encounter by the choreography of socio-cultural role definitions."
"River has been there for me so many times over the years. I've had times when I really didn't think I was going to make it through a depression. Some encouraging words from him always helped me to hang in there and get through it. He really saved my life more than once. I receive a copy of his journal each month that has helped me a great deal, too. He always shares some stories and lessons for me to learn from. Thank you River, for all you've done for me. No words can possibly say what you've meant to me."
- Brooke S.
"Was there for me many times in my time of need when I was younger and times just to feed me in the warm clothes seem like he save my life."
- Gabriel C.
FAQs on Homelessness Help
Why support Temenos Catholic Worker?
"Polk Street, San Francisco. Kids from all over run away and find themselves here. Many end up supporting themselves through sex work of one kind or another. Most are without homes, or live in precarious circumstances. Their world is often violent and often unpredictable. Most end up shooting up drugs to kill the pain of life on the street, and even more, the pain that got them here. These are the parishioners of Father River Sims, of the Temenos Catholic Worker Ministry. In the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement, Fr. River Sims makes Polk Street into his place of worship and action, focusing his ministry on sex workers and homeless youth in this San Francisco neighborhood."
Temenos Catholic Worker is a not-for-profit ministry providing social work and support to homeless youth in San Francisco. Our work includes food distribution, needle exchanges, health products (including condom distribution), and more. Our primary purpose is being a "presence of grace" in the midst of the despair, addiction, and violence of the street culture.
Why focus on Polk and Haight Streets?
In the early 2000's with the development of the internet and gentrification of Polk Street, gay bars declined to one on Polk, and hustling/prostitution moved to the internet, and the younger homeless centered in the Haight area. Our ministry enveloped both Polk and Haight Street. We work on both Polk and Haight.
How can I make a donation?
If you would like to give a monetary donation in support of our social work and ministry, you can do so quickly and conveniently from right here on our website. When you click on the "Donate" tab, you will be directed to our PayPal donation portal. Through PayPal, you are able to choose whichever payment you prefer. If you would like, you are even able to set up your donation as a monthly recurring gift.
If you would like to give us a physical donation, we are always in need of blankets, clothing (socks / underwear / jeans / etc.), toiletries, food, and condoms. For more information on how to deliver a physical donation, contact us today!
What is the best way to contact Temenos Catholic Worker?
We would love to answer any of your homeless care questions! When you click on the "Contact Us" tab or the "Get In Touch" button in the lower right hand corner of the screen, you will be directed to our convenient contact forms. These forms send your message directly to our director, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. If you would prefer to give us a call, we are available by phone at (415) 305-2124.
