St. Francis Neighborhood Center
St. Francis Neighborhood Center (SFNC) has been a cornerstone of the Reservoir Hill community for over six decades. Our mission is to dismantle inequity by cultivating community connections through tailored education and social interventions for West Baltimore.
Founded in 1963 as an outreach center for two local churches, SFNC was incorporated in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent of religious affiliation. For over 60 years, we have continuously evolved to develop programs in response to the needs of the 21217 ZIP code and West Baltimore community. We are keeping hope alive in 2025!
In a neighborhood where schools face tight budgets, fresh food is scarce, and essential services are often out of reach, we offer free programs that level the playing field:
● The Power Project – our K-8 afterschool program offering daily hot meals, one-on-one tutoring, homework help, and hands-on enrichment in STEM and the arts.
● Summer of Service Excursion Program – engaging K-8 students in weekly field trips and civic learning activities that foster pride in Baltimore.
● Igniter Internship – preparing high schoolers for college and careers through skill-building and mentorship.
● Weekly Food Distributions – supplying roughly 100,000 lbs of fresh produce and household essentials per year in a designated food desert.
We also partner to offer senior socials, fitness classes, mobile banking, recovery support groups, technology access, and more—ensuring residents have the tools they need to thrive.
This year, we’re expanding the Power Project to add a fifth K-8 group, meeting the overwhelming demand for safe, enriching out-of-school programs amid recent cuts to local afterschool services. Our growth is fueled by the generosity of donors and volunteers who believe in a stronger, more connected West Baltimore.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
•DONATE: Your support helps us break down barriers and open doors for our neighbors. A gift of just $5 or $10/month allows us to continue showing up for our community through thick and thin. Learn more at: stfranciscenter.org/donate
•VOLUNTEER: From tutoring and mentoring to lending a hand at community clean-ups or helping our operations team, we are always looking for helping hands. Email us at [email protected] to get involved.
•SPONSOR A HOLIDAY WISH LIST: Our annual Giving Tree program pairs donors with program families to help fulfill their holiday wish lists. Your generosity can lift the weight of rising costs and bring joy to a household during the holidays. Last year, over 1,000 gifts were distributed. Email us at [email protected] to get involved!
•DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
With more students than ever enrolled in the Power Project, we are in great need of classroom supplies. Visit stfranciscenter.org/wishlist to see how you can support.