Francis House is Celebrating 20 Years!

Founded in 1990 by Sister Anne Dougherty of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegheny, Francis House has been providing support services to the Tampa Bay HIV/AIDS community for twenty years!

Our mission is to respond with compassion and justice to the spiritual, emotional, educational and physical well being of individuals and families infected, affected and at-risk for HIV/AIDS.

We base our operations on the principles and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, who believed in the power of compassion, individual responsibility and accountability.  Our services are designed to teach clients effective skills for making more appropriate life choices while exercising responsibility for their own decisions and actions.

Francis House uses a holistic approach to improve clients’ quality of life by offering comprehensive services, both onsite and in collaboration with other community-based organizations.

• Francis House Programs

  Francis House is a non-profit, day respite center designed to respond with compassion and justice to the spiritual, emotional, educational, and physical well-being of individuals and families infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS. Francis House is committed to providing the best possible services and strives to enlighten lives with positive change. All services offered are free of charge.  Support Groups: Daily support groups offer clients an opportunity to discuss and address a variety of topics, issues and concerns dealing with their HIV status or other life concerns. Emotional Awareness Monday's @ 11am and 2pm Relapse Prevention Tuesday's @ 11am and 2pm Spirituality Wednesday's @ 11am Topic of the Day Thursday's @ 11am and 2pm Spanish Support Group Tuesday's @ 10am Better Together Thursday's @ 7pm Men's Group / Women's Group Friday's @ 11:30am Lunch: Offered daily at 12:00pm (Friday's @ 12:30pm).  Often the only full meal that clients receive. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling: offered on a daily basis by a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Masters Level Social Worker and a Certified Addictions Specialist.  By appointment please. Case Management: Case management services offered on a daily basis to those clients that qualify.  Case management offers clients assistance in obtaining housing, medical care, mediations and other quality of life needs. Recreational Therapy:  Francis House provides many different recreational activities including weekly Bowling @ Pinchasers.  Wednesday's @ 1pm. Food Pantry:  Funded through the Fred B. Sieber Foundation, the food pantry provides clients an opportunity to recieve non perishable food and hygiene products.  Clients participating regularly in Francis House programs earn on average enough "Francis House Dollars" to purchase $75 worth of groceries each month. Francis House Dollars:  Earned by clients by participating in Francis House programs and volunteering at our facility.  This program has helped improve the self esteem and self worth of clients by giving them a sense of accomplishment. Emergency Assistance: A once in a lifetime assistance to help clients with rent, utilities, medical bills and other quality of life expenses.  Must be referred by their case manager. HIV Education Classes:  HIV Education is offered to local community groups, other non profit organizations, and any other community entity.  Classes are scheduled on a limited basis.  Please call (813) 237-3066 to check availability. HIV Testing: Free, confidential OraSure testing.  By appointment only.  

  

• HIV/AIDS Facts

  Since HIV/AIDS was first recognized in the 1980’s, many things have changed. The fight against this epidemic is just as important today. More and more communities are infected and affected by this disease. Because of advances in treatment, individuals are living longer, but the combination of aging and AIDS is exacerbating their health in ways not even anticipated. Homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues have all had an impact on the spread of the AIDS epidemic.