NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

Hi! I had the opportunity to volunteer for St. Francis Friends of the Poor for their Thanksgiving Dinner and got to interact with the lovely people who help run the non-profit but also the people who receive the resources and housing provided by organization. 

I’m running to support St. Francis Friends of the Poor (SFFP), a 45-year-old nonprofit dedicated to providing safe, permanent, and supportive housing for New Yorkers living with serious mental illness.

SFFP goes beyond housing. They create stable communities rooted in dignity, compassion, and respect, where residents receive nutritious meals, clinical and mental health support, and opportunities for wellness and connection.

Why It Matters

For many residents, SFFP is the first safe home they’ve had in years. It’s a place to heal, rebuild, and thrive at their own pace—surrounded by care and community.

How Your Donation Helps

Your support makes a direct impact:

$25 provides personal care essentials for a new resident

 

$50 supports a week of nutritious meals

 

$100 funds recreational and wellness activities

 

$250 helps maintain safe, comfortable living spaces

 

$500+ sustains long-term housing and clinical support

 

Every step I take helps ensure that people who have experienced homelessness and mental illness can live with stability and hope. 

Thank you for supporting this incredible mission.

Love, Abril Flores Ortega