St. James Haven in Meadville, PA is an outreach ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. In keeping with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania’s mission of “unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God without distinction”, St. James Haven provides a place of welcome, refuge, food and comfort for homeless men each night.
Join us for our June Drive-Thru Fundraiser Dinner!
June 18, 2026
3pm – 6pm
Come and enjoy a meatball sandwich, chips, salad, and a sweet treat.
In keeping with the Sisters of St Joseph mission, “Unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God without distinction,” St. James Haven, established by the Associates, provides a place of welcome, nightly refuge, food, and comfort for homeless men in the Meadville, PA area.
Help us continue to provide our guests with love, respect, and kindness as they get back on their feet. Find out how you can help with a donation or as a volunteer.
You can easily donate using our secure online form. If you prefer to donate by mail please make your check payable to St. James Haven and send it to
St. James Haven
P.O. Box 15
Meadville, PA 16335
If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 814-337-6082.
We regularly need volunteers to help maintain the Haven.
If you have questions, please feel free to call us at 814-337-6082.
Our guests come to us with very little. If you would like to help provide personal care and household items, please see our suggested items below. You can also download a printable shopping list.
At this time we are not accepting any clothing donations due to storage constraints.
St. James Haven does accept new unused socks and underwear.
Welcome to this week's HEARTS BEHIND THE HAVEN!
Through these posts, you'll meet the volunteer Board members who are behind-the-scenes of the Haven's Community Drive-Thru Dinners, special events, and many of the daily operations. With the support of our community, the mission of St. James Haven is not only possible, it's happening.
👉This week we'll meet Kimberly Bidwell. Kim is one of the board's newest members, but she's already made a big positive impact. With a professional background in drug and alcohol recovery, Kim has been a huge asset to our ongoing transitional-living project. She also brings to the board her creative and hands-on talents, designing and fabricating the medals for our "Run for Shelter" 5K event. We appreciate all that she brings to the group. Make sure to say hello to Kim below!
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"Kimberly Bidwell is the Case Management Supervisor at Crawford County Drug & Alcohol, where she has worked for 20 years. She oversees case management services and works across systems to help individuals navigate recovery and access the support they need.
After stepping into her supervisory role, her work began to overlap more with St. James, leading to a strong working relationship with Samantha. This led to them working together on a funding proposal for the transitional living project, offering insight on substance use and recovery needs. Working alongside St. James gave her a clear view of the organization’s role in the community, which led her to join the Board of Directors.
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We'll be dancing in the street! Join us for the annual Sound Off for St. James Haven Concert Fundraiser! 🎤🥁🎸🎼 ... See MoreSee Less
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Welcome to another installment of HEARTS BEHIND THE HAVEN!
Through these posts, you'll meet the volunteer Board members who are behind-the-scenes of the Haven's Community Drive-Thru Dinners, special events, and many of the daily operations. With the support of our community, the mission of St. James Haven is not only possible, it's happening.
👉This week we'll meet Sister Clare Marie Beichner, a true community champion. Sister Clare Marie joins us as one of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, bringing with her much experience in ministry and community support programs. We appreciate her heartfelt time and attention each time we meet. Make sure to say hello to Sister Clare Marie below!
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Nurtured in faith and family values from her roots in Clarion County, Sister Clare Marie Beichner is a graduate of Clarion University and University of Pittsburgh. Her experience includes 16 years of teaching in Catholic Schools in DuBois and Erie, primarily at the Junior High level. As a Licensed Social Worker, she ministered at Prince of Peace Center in Mercer County for the next 15 years. Prince of Peace as part of Catholic Charities, offers Emergency and Family Supportive Services with the needy in the Shenango Valley. She and another Sister established Catholic Rural Ministry providing spiritual support for the Catholic parishes and schools of Venango and Clarion counties.
As a Sister of St. Joseph for 47 years, she has served her community in formation and Leadership ministries, while participating in many committees and Boards. Sister Clare Marie has a strong interest in supporting justice among the impoverished and improving our world through active involvement. Currently she is in Pastoral Care ministry at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie. There has always been a special place in her heart for the homeless and has been an active SSJ liaison and board member with St. James Haven since 2011. Building relationships and self-care are vital for Sister Clare Marie so she finds time daily to be renewed in prayer, reading and nature.
“Being an active supporter of St. James Haven continues to inspire me that we are all creatures of our loving God, and we are to respond to individuals in our midst with a loving and gracious hospitality. I am amazed at the growth and evolving ministry of St James with the homeless in their collaborative efforts to meet the needs of the whole person and helping them to become even more productive citizens. God has blessed the Haven with solid Leadership under the wise stewardship of Samantha Stump and a strong Board of Directors.”
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