ECS St. Barnabas is a faith-based, Episcopal family shelter in West Philadelphia catering to female-headed households. The shelter has room for 105 women and children, or about 40 families. The Office of Supportive Housing makes referrals.

Barnabas provides shelter, toiletries, food, and child services including pre-school, after-school, and summer day camp programs. To help families feel at home there is an outdoor playground with jungle gym equipment. Residents are encouraged to play with their children in some of the many activities the staff organizes.

An on-site computer lab is open every day to help residents find employment, learn information technology skills, and complete schoolwork. There is also a weekly workshop to teach residents computer skills.

The shelter has working relationships with outside organizations to help residents deal with issues like drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, illness, unemployment, and debt. Barnabas is also connected with the ECS FASST program, which provides transitional and permanent housing for larger families.

Most families stay at Barnabas for 30-90 days and the staff are dedicated to moving families into transitional housing, or back into their previous housing, as quickly as possible. Case managers work with residents to deal with their unique needs. Families and case managers also discuss different kinds of housing opportunities such as AchieveAbility, Monument Village, project-based Section 8, renting, and living with relatives or friends.

One Neighborhood developed this summary. If you are an employee of ECS St. Barnabas, contact hello@oneneighborhood.org to update this page.