Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County

Mission: To truly make a difference in the lives of homeless families with minor children by providing housing and services required for them to remain intact, stabilize their lives, save toward affordable permanent housing, and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

In June 1998, three concerned groups, the St. Johns County Mental Health Department, NAMI of St. Johns County, the Trinity Chapel (now Destiny International) and the Rosalie James Circle of the International Order of The King’s Daughters and Sons, decided to do something about the need for shelters and services for the homeless families with children.

Many of these families lived among other individuals and the chronically mentally ill homeless in the woods, under bridges, sleeping in abandoned cars, and other places unfit for human habitation in St. Johns County.

With the help of service provider agencies, churches, businesses, and concerned citizens, the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of St Johns County, Inc. (ESHC) was organized and chartered in November 1998.

The Homeless Coalition provides safe and decent affordable housing to homeless families with minor children living in the household. In addition to housing, the Coalition provides supportive services to our families and walk-in homeless or at risk of homelessness clients. Supportive services include food pantry, toiletries, clothing, referrals as needed, SNAPS, job search and resume assistance, and more.