Siena House

"The women of Siena House often tell me that the biggest gift we've given them back is their self confidence."
-Sr. Mary Doris, Director of Siena House

85 West 168th Street
Bronx, NY 10452
(718) 293-2390

Siena House, located in the South Bronx, was one of New York City’s first shelters to accept women who are pregnant or have newborn babies. The shelter was named in honor of St. Catherine of Siena, the 13th century patron saint of Italy, who assisted young homeless women in becoming self-sufficient. The women come from all five boroughs of New York City and are offered shelter until they are able to find permanent housing and maintain independent living.

Primarily funded by the Department of Homeless Services, the shelter provides women with housing, food, pre-natal classes, child care, and a variety of educational programs including GED preparation, computer training, and classes as English as a Second Language. The women also participate in innovative life-skills seminars in supportive group settings where they learn parenting and related skills necessary to move from a state of dependence to one of self-sufficiency.

Sammon B.U.I.L.D.

"Our goal is to empower our clients to survive and grow; as parents and as individuals. The world is progressing at an alarming rate and you have to be able to keep up. Basic independent living skills is the key to survival; the rest will follow."

-Crystal Standish, Director of Sammon Build Center

2294-96 Grand Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 295-7777

In existence since 1991, Sammon Build Provides Temporary Housing to single-female heads of household and their children of both genders up to 14 years old.

Each family has it's own fully furnished apartment with kitchen and bathroom. On site services include case management, housing assistance, referral and monitoring to substance abuse, general and mental health and other programs. Site based childcare and recreation/after-school programs and Board of Education monitoring.

Client safety, empowerment and education are important headings, but we also focus on compassion, empathy and understanding.

Though funded by the Department of Homeless Services, we still depend on charitable donations of food, clothing and cash. These donations provide the little "extras" that make the difference between the necessities and offerings that warm the heart and ease the soul.

We extend our thanks to supporters: NewYorkCares / Bd.Of Ed.Region#1. / CampHomewardBound / Tolentine Parish/Sally Stone / P.S.#91/Reeva Culhane / Antonio Rodriquez / Advance Computer Technologies / MaryJane Pisano / Dorette McPheter / Gwen Richardson / Donna O'Hare / Rosary Marzzoti / Grace Aron / Carmen Flores / Theresa Smith / Jocellyn Perez / Linda Paull / Regina Boundurant / Dinora TorresI / Ivan Seidenburg / Elinor Uhlig / Laura Schultz / Jennifer Bachini / Lisa Darnell / Lacresha Mayers

Highbridge Horizon "Siena House founder celebrates five decades"

Siena House founder celebrates five decades
By Yolanda Romero, September 2006
Highbridge Horizon

Sr. Mary Doris, director and founder of Siena House, a refuge for homeless women in the Bronx, celebrated her 50th Golden Jubilee on September 9 at the Sacred Heart School’s auditorium on Nelson Avenue. The festivities marked 50 years of services to her community membership—the Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt—and her church.

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