A New Volunteer Program
Raphael House reaches out to the community, instituting a Volunteer Program with a full time volunteer coordinator. By the end of the year, more than 200 volunteers […]
Annual Children’s Art Show Initiated
Mrs. Ella Rigney, age 94, initiates an Annual Children’s Art Show at Raphael House, which is now held every year. Elizabeth Fries moves to the Portland, Oregon […]
Welcoming a New Executive Director
Sr. Elizabeth Fries (left) becomes Executive Director. In a letter from our annual report that year, Fries said, “It is our desire and our hope that for […]
Follow-Up Program Introduced
Raphael House expands its services to include the Follow-Up Program, known today as our Bridge Program. Elizabeth Willis, Director of Family Services, conducts weekly parenting classes, home […]
Raphael House Week in San Francisco
Mayor Dianne Feinstein declares the week of Thanksgiving to be Raphael House Week in San Francisco. The Rooftop Garden play area is completed. Families now have a […]
Serving More Families
Our Residential Shelter capacity increases from 35 to 50 beds, allowing Raphael House to serve more families each year. Construction of the roof deck solarium begins.
Brother Juniper’s Bread Box Opens
In April, Brother Juniper’s Bread Box opens on the first floor of Raphael House, featuring generous sandwiches on home-baked bread, homemade hearty soups and pastries. Proceeds from […]
A Newly Renovated Raphael House
Mrs. Ella Rigney and a work crew from the Holy Order of MANS renovate the Golden Gate Hospital transforming it to the new Raphael House. The newly […]
In Search of a Larger Facility
As the city of San Francisco prepares to redevelop the Gough and McAllister block, Mrs. Ella Rigney is appointed to find a larger facility in order to […]
The Beginning (1971-1976)
In 1971, Raphael House opened its doors for temporarily homeless women and mothers with children at our original site at Gough and McAllister (pictured). At the time, […]