Dorothy Day House Mission
Rooted in the tradition of the Gospels and inspired by the vision and passion of Dorothy Day, the Dorothy Day House provides temporary housing and support services for families experiencing houselessness in Memphis, TN. Working with other local agencies, staff members, and volunteers, we provide families in need with a safe environment and the means to re-establish their independence. All guests are welcomed as Christ with no discrimination.
Dorothy Day House Values
“The poor are Jesus and what you do for them you do for Jesus” – They believe that the Dorothy Day House is a ministry to people experiencing houselessness, done in the spirit of the Gospel.
Personalism – They believe that each person is unique in their needs, their talents, and their abilities. They are called to respect each family’s strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.
Hospitality – They believe it is important to create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for themselves, their volunteers, their donors, and those they serve.
Trust in Providence – They believe that if they “plant these seeds and water them,” God will cause them to grow. The Dorothy Day House rests on faith and trust in God.
It’s all about People taking care of People – They believe that growth occurs in all of them when they care for each other.
Forward Progress – They believe that each individual is responsible for their own progress toward stable housing and solid employment.
Personal Accountability – They believe that each person is accountable for their own actions.
We are a Home – They believe that the Dorothy Day House is a real home for those to whom we minister.
Dorothy Day House Services
The Dorothy Day House provides transitional housing and support services for families experiencing houselessness. This home-like atmosphere provides a sense of security, especially for the children, fosters self-esteem, and uplifts the human spirit. It creates one of the most vital ingredients for escaping poverty—hope. Families typically reside in our homes for 3-6 months. After transitioning into permanent housing, families can opt to stay in touch with their staff and receive services upon request. Staff and volunteers provide the following services:
- Transportation
- Referral for childcare
- Financial and budgeting advice
- Case management services
- Advocacy and mentoring
- Furnishings and small appliances through their program, Furnishing Hope
- New personal relationships which provide a system of healthy support and encouragement for the future
- Free housing, food, and clothing
- Educational resources and guidance
- Parenting skills
- Employment counseling
- Resume and Cover Letter assistance
- Prospective job contacts
- Access to sources of permanent housing
- Documentation assistance (applying for birth certificates, driver’s license, food stamps, etc.)
“Multi-million dollar nonprofit organizations are granting money to tax-funded shelters in an effort to further implement the HASS model of community sheltering. The HASS model negatively affects the poorest communities by limiting intake in several ways, including leaving strays to roam and multiply, refusing owner or stray surrenders, and choosing to not address neglect cases to avoid intake.”
Suzy Hollenbach, Founder and Director, All 4s Rescue League
THEY COMMUNICATE. THEY EDUCATE. THEY INITIATE.
Every day, hundreds of dogs suffer from neglect on the ends of chains in the backyards of Memphis. Some of those dogs will die waiting for help. All 4s Rescue League alleviates their suffering by providing food, shelter and general necessities, while educating owners and the public about the sad reality of life on a chain.
THEIR WORK
All 4s Rescue League makes contact with pets and their owners in their own homes. This allows us to assess need and form a plan of action on an individual basis. They are very proud of the positive impact we have on the lives of the pets and people they serve. Learn more about what they do, who they help, and how they work every day to promote positive change.
DOGHOUSES
Their primary focus is to help owners achieve compliance with local laws and ordinances as they pertain to their pets’ care. A huge part of that is providing adequate shelter for pet owners who may not be able to do that themselves. You can donate the cost of a doghouse (average $130) or order one directly from one of our sources.
SPAY + NEUTER
Pets in underserved neighborhoods will seldom have the opportunity to see a vet, even for basic care such as vaccinations or heartworm prevention, and they almost never come across dogs who have already been spayed or neutered. They will spay/neuter a dog or cat and provide all needed vaccines, deworming, flea/tick meds and microchip free of charge.
