Accomodations

Franciscan Hospitality is extended by the Friars of Atonement to every man who comes to St. Christopher’s Inn in search of a better way of life. Most of the men who come are battling some type of substance use disorder and need a time of respite from their current living environment to focus on healing and recovery, to remember that they are worthy of love and respect, and to renew their spirit. For those men planning to enter the Residential Treatment program (but are waiting for Medicaid insurance to become active), the Friars are able to offer temporary residential housing.

Accommodations & Necessities

Like the Friars did for so many years, the men live in dormitory-style accommodations at the Inn, with lockers to store their clothes and belongings.

If any of the men need clothing, the Friars and Staff of the Inn have assembled an extensive clothing room with all sizes and styles, for any kind of weather conditions. Every man is given what he needs for his stay at the Inn, and laundry is done on site.

All men in need of medical attention are seen and evaluated by doctors and nurses in our Article 28 Clinic, and appropriate medications or treatments are provided. Many of the men who come to us have been without required medications for long periods and must be monitored and stabilized physically before they can work on healing from addiction mentally and spiritually.

Three meals a day are served family style to all the men in the Paul Manzo Memorial Dining Room, along with conversation and encouragement. In addition, coffee and snacks are available in the evening hours.

Recreation, Assignments & Optional Services

man cutting fruit All men in St. Christopher’s Inn are welcomed, and invited, to attend daily Mass at the Inn, educational lectures about substance use, 12-Step meetings and spiritual guidance.

At St. Christopher’s Inn, all residents are assigned vocational activities as part of their therapeutic experience. Such vocational activities include: helping to prepare and/or serve meals to their fellow Brothers Christopher, staff, Friars or Sisters of Atonement; working in Admissions to welcome new Brothers Christopher; assisting at our Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center; learning skills with our Facilities staff in caring for the buildings and grounds; and other vocational activities.

For additional information please contact the Admissions Office at 845-335-1020 or email at SCIAdmissions@AtonementFriars.org.

Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA
President & Spiritual Director, St. Christopher’s Inn

The Friars, Sisters and laity have been offering spiritual counseling and direction at St. Christopher’s Inn since its very beginning in 1909. Today both religious and laity help our Brothers re-connect with their Higher Power on a voluntary basis. The disease of substance use attacks a person’s spirituality first and leads to hopelessness and despair. Our Brothers Christopher come to see that the connection was never broken and that their Higher Power was accompanying them all the time and led them to the Holy Mountain or to the rooms of many 12 steps programs. Celebrating this foundational connection is the very heart of recovery.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.