St. John Foundation for The Homeless in Brooklyn is a Christian Orthodox charity organization created based on the principles founded by St. John of Krondshtadt while opening the same kind of establishments at the end of 19th - beginning of 20th century. "I have visited numerous Russian Orthodox parishes in America, in many of them I had an honor to serve", - says the leader of St. John Foundation for The Homeless, Deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Vadim Arefiev, -
"I had not even had a clue about the size of the problem of alcoholism and drug addiction among the Russian immigrants until one kindly, non orthodox woman came to our church in December 2002 and "opened our eyes" telling us that many of our brother and sisters are dying of cold and hunger on the streets of Brighton. Since then we started our mission." In the beginning there were just two missioners: f. Deacon and that very woman that we mentioned before. On their own expense they rented cheap accommodation for the people in need. Usually they borrowed money since there was no other source of income. They sent guys to the hospitals and programs of rehabilitation. Everything was moving on very slowly. Since summer 2004 Deacon Vadim, warden George Khololeenko, psalm reader Oleg Comarin and other helpers had began regular prayer right on the sites where the homeless lived. Bishop of Manhattan Gabriel blessed us to open the chapel and to rent our own accommodation for St. John Foundation for The Homeless. It became possible only in December 2004 on the own expense of the workers. The house has found it was a place on the 1st Brighton Street. In June 2005, St. John Foundation for The Homeless is functioning on the strict rules, helping its habitants on all the steps of the rehabilitation. Only those may become the habitants of the House who firmly decided to follow the way of improvement, those who have passed through the programs of rehabilitation. The problem is that when the person leaves the Rehab he or she is literally left on the street. He or she has practically nothing to do other than to turn back to the old ways. The Foundation gives the opportunity to gather piece of mind, helps to find a job. Very soon they are able to rent their own accommodation. It's very important not to loose the contact with the afterwards. There is a little chapel in St. John Foundation for The Homeless. Practically every Saturday the priest from the closest parishes come to lead the Devine Liturgy, where Foundation habitants can have Confession and Communion. Regularly during the week there are akafists being served. Until now St. John Foundation for The Homeless is making the ends meet on the own expense of the workers and orthodox brotherhood. Simultaneously, the quantity of the people who need help tremendously exceeds the capabilities of the Foundation. However, probably the most important thing is that St. John Foundation for The Homeless is able to help its people to make the first step to Christ. Glory to you, o God, who has showed us the Light!