*(USA only)
FEATURED PROJECT
At the service of freedom, hope and redemption, Starfish Stories Inc. DBA The Francisco Homes (TFH) supports personal transformation and bringing healing to the community.
The Daughters of Mary and Joseph began this service in 2007 as a project of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Restorative Justice. After visiting and assisting men in prison and on parole, the Sisters realized there was a more basic need; a place to live in a supportive, caring community to complete their commitment to restorative justice. In 2008 they opened the first Francisco Home under the Non-profit Starfish Stories Inc. with 4 residents. In 2010 the Sisters rented their second home, owned by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul bringing their capacity to house 22 men.
The review of sentencing laws that had kept inmates many years beyond their expected sentence brought a dramatic change by 2012. By 2016 the Sisters added their sixth home and grew to house 67 residents. TFH are a safe home environment where residents, many for the first time, take responsibility cooking, cleaning and doing laundry, while learning to co-exist with each other in freedom. The Sisters provide case management based on individualized service plans, a robust series of groups, workshops and social activities, referrals to service providers and a strong focus on community service. They have served close to 300 men with fewer than 2% returning to prison. TFH offers hope and multi-faceted holistic support to formerly incarcerated individuals aspiring to re-integrate back into the community.