about us

The Beginning (An excerpt from an interview with Fr. Gus in the early years)

Port Ministries simply started because of a dream, idea and a word from the Lord. There were no elongated and entrenching plans and there still isn't. People are poor and hungry, so, we feed them and help them. I guess we just want to love others and try to extend that love to as many as possible. In this simple way, we started in 1984 – it was in July that a few of us started to meet on Justine Street to pray and seek the Lord's guidance. We soon found ourselves praying on the streets… isn't that where the church belongs? We would go two by two and simply stroll along with prayer and believe me, it was an eye opener!

Then we started to look for a place to begin. Someone compiled a list of all the available buildings in the area and off we went. The last place we looked at, in the 2nd week of December in 1984, was 5058 South Ashland. It was last on the list and 1st on the Lord's list. We named it “The Port” after that small portion of a church called the Portiuncula in Assisi, Italy, where St. Francis started his Gospel response with his brothers and sisters.

We opened our Soup Kitchen doors on Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1985. We fed 37 people that day and I couldn't believe that we could continue to manage 37 each day, but in time numbers grew to 300+ daily. “Where will we get the food” was a constant question, but as we prayed, begged and trusted, it just kept coming from all over the place! Our ministry is based on TRUST… the Lord will provide, He loves His poor! ~Fr. Gus

Over these past 20 years, “The Port” has grown into “Port Ministries”: a multi-faceted ministry to the poor, homeless, families and children (currently housed in 5 buildings) that still continues its mission in the simple ways of our beginnings. As we pray and trust, we vividly see and experience the Lord's presence, care and love daily… in the people we serve and in the many benefactors and volunteers that respond and give from their hearts to serve those in need. We see the secondary mission of Port Ministries fulfilled: giving others the opportunity to touch and serve Jesus in His “distressing disguise”.

back to top

Port Ministries Today

Port Ministries, founded in 1985 by Fr. Augustin Milon O.F.M., began as a soup kitchen and in subsequent years, has expanded in response to the many critical needs of area residents and now serves the poor and homeless through the following ministry areas...

The Port: Food and Family Support Services…

The Bread Truck (began 1994): “Soup Kitchen on Wheels”
Mother's Kitchen currently an “emerging ministry” (began 2004): a Restaurant for the Poor
Food Donations: pickups and food handling
Family Support Services: Case management and referrals
We Remember: the Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, Drop-in Center & Night Shelter (all began in 1985 and all closed in 2002 for reasons of neighborhood change.

The Mantle: (began 1991) Family and Children Center: Family enrichment and supplemental education for adults and children

The Port Free Clinic: (began 1999) Basic medical services to neighborhood poor and un-insured

Home Visiting: (began 1986) Ministry to our neighborhood shut-ins.

Child Walk: (began 1994) Prayer Ministry interceding for our neighborhood children

Theresa House: (began 1997) Family Transitional Shelter

Tony's Gym: (began 1998) Recreational Facility for Children

Pio House: (began 1995) Administration Facility

Pio/Port Auxiliary: (began 1998) Outreach , Grants and Development

Madonna Queen of Peace: (began as H.O.P.E. Community in 1987) Residence

St Mary of the Angels: Secular Franciscan Fraternity (began in 1985)

(See “The Ministries” for detailed information about each area…)

Board of Directors and Staff

Port Ministries' leadership is a dedicated group of individuals willing to embrace the vision and en-flesh it through Gospel centered directives and decisions. Our focus is to fulfill the goals of basic human services to the poor, and giving others the opportunity to minister to our guests - the poor, homeless, families and children.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Richard Guzior, SFO. - Vice-president & Chairman of the Board
Paul Dubuque – Treasurer
Brother Craig Wilkings, OFM - Assumption BVM Province representative
Martha Gilbert SFO. – S.F.O. Representative
Pat White, SFO. - Secretary
Fred Dempsey – Member at large
Sharon Guest - Member at large
Dr. Kevin Dolehide - Member at large
Andrew Lyke, S.F.O. - Member at large

FOUNDER
Rev. Augustin Milon, O.F.M.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND INTERIM PRESIDENT
David Krug, S.F.O.

INTERIM ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John Biegel, S.F.O.

AREA MANAGERS
Deacon Alfred Coleman, SFO. - The Port
Pat Johnson - Theresa House
Aurelio Merenda - Pio House
Therese Finn - The Mantle
Ellen Kilmury – Pio/Port Auxiliary and Development
Brian Vincent – Tony's Gym

COORDINATORS
THE PORT
Tyrice Thomas – The Bread Truck and pick-ups

THE PORT FREE CLINIC
Shirley Koss, SFO. - The Port free Clinic
Richard Carpenter - The Port Free Clinic
Walter Koszut – Home Visiting

PIO HOUSE
Nina Psychenko - Accounting
Wayne Smith, SFO. - Receptionist
John Biegel, SFO. - Communications
Miguel Munoz - Maintenance

THERESA HOUSE
Sr. Franklin Ofoma, DMMM - Case Management
Sylvia Jones - Case Management
Thad Smith - House Coordinator
Marie Cain - Night Service Aid
Tom Flood, - Night Service Aid
Pamela Dogan - Weekend Service Aid
Willie Porter - Weekend Service Aid
Mark Matos – Cook/Food Services

THE MANTLE
Sr. Obinna Okpala, DMMM - Enrichment Center
Pat Coti – Adult Ed.

back to top