Poverello Charities Ontario is a Christian community for people with mental illness. We provide a place to live for 18 people, but, more than a place to live, the community provides a place of belonging and mutual support. Our four homes are located adjacent to one another on Berkeley St., in Toronto's downtown East side. There is 1 house for women and 3 houses for men. All four homes form one community. The community gathers for supper each weekday, starting wit praying evening prayer together. The celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) is also offered for those wishing to attend. Residents provide assistance as they are able toward the everyday household tasks. They also gather for social and recreation times. 

The roots of Poverello go back to 1969. Our founder, Fr. Joseph MacDonald, was a Capuchin-Franciscan friar. He saw the need for a residential community for those with chronic mental illness. As he said: 

"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."

The name Poverello Charities was adopted to acknowledge a link to our Capuchin-Franciscan roots: St. Francis of Assisi was known as the "poverello" or poor little one who lived simply and shared life with the poor. 

We operate entirely on charitable donations and on the rent paid by residents. We are in need of additional support for special renovation projects to maintain our aging homes. This will allow us to continue to keep rents at an affordable level, while providing residents with a home which is comfortable, safe and accessible.