Fr. Joe MacDonald, Capuchin-Franciscan, Founder (1933-2018)
“A loving community is the most healing factor in our lives. The most needed thing that we need is love. We need to know that we belong, that we have a place; that people will miss us if we’re not around.”
Our four community homes for people with chronic mental illness are linked together on Berkeley Street in downtown Toronto: St. Clare House, St. Joseph House, St. Elizabeth House and St. Raphael House.
All of the residents of Poverello form one community of mutual support - working together, eating together, recreating together and praying together.
Irene O’Malley, long-time resident of Poverello
“I remember working with Fr. Joe in the Saturday night street mission. I remember coming home to Poverello at night and being so grateful for my bed.”