Tina Pagotto, MSW, is CEO of Bethesda Project. (Credit: Tina Pagotto)
Since 1979, Bethesda Project in Philadelphia has been working “to find and care for the abandoned poor and to be family with those who have none.”
According to Tina Pagotto, the chief executive officer of Bethesda Project, based on 2024 data, approximately 4,302 individuals experience homelessness in Philadelphia daily.
Pagotto spoke to Access Network about the mission and services of Bethesda Project, and how community members can get involved.
Bethesda Project is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, housing, and support services for adults experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. At its 11 locations, guests and residents can find a safe environment, stabilize their housing situation, and become more independent.
Pagotto said, the nonprofit takes a Housing First approach, addressing the barriers to access that individuals may face. Through individualized case management, Bethesda Project offers a continuum of care throughout Center City Philadelphia that not only includes emergency shelter and permanent housing, but also connects their guests and residents to other support services like health providers and employment.
“We connect them externally to these services. Our methodology is that when people move on from Bethesda Project, we want them to still have those support services,” she said.
In 2024, Bethesda Project served more than 1,200 unique individuals and made more than 268 positive housing moves. In addition, 3,338 volunteers completed 8,773 hours of service.
She added that the most satisfying part of the work she does at Bethesda Project is two-fold:
“The first part is getting an opportunity to engage with so many good-intentioned, kind people who want to get involved and be a part of transforming lives. The second part is our work with the people experiencing homelessness, watching their transformation and resiliency as they overcome so many barriers. Our mission is to create spaces for individuals to heal from trauma and watch them transform into a more thriving version of themselves.
“We connect them externally to these services. Our methodology is that when people move on from Bethesda Project, we want them to still have those support services.”
She added, “One of the things that makes Bethesda Project unique is we really look to partner with people coming through our doors to establish positive, long-term relationships that promote healing and preservation of self-worth.”
Bethesda Project partners with the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homelessness to operate its services, including its largest shelter located in a building owned by the city.
The nonprofit also has a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital through the “Jeff Hope” program where medical students volunteer hours at its largest shelter to provide medical care to guests and residents. Resources for Human Development provides mental health support there as well.
Roadblocks They Face
One of the biggest roadblocks to fulfilling its mission that Bethesda Project faces right now is the uncertainty of the new administration in office, Pagotto explained.
“We rely on federal funding for a lot of our programs and the cuts laid out HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) while may not seem like a big impact could affect our access to funding.”
She added that with the rising cost of living, it gets more challenging to provide the same level of service each year let alone provide more.
You Are Not Alone
If you are housing insecure, Bethesda Project wants you to know that you are not alone:
Bethesda North Broad
Supportive Housing
720-722 North Broad Street
Bethesda Project’s Our Brothers' Place
Run in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia
Emergency Shelter - Men
907 Hamilton Street
Bethesda Project at Connelly House
Run in partnership with Project HOME
Supportive Housing
1212 Ludlow Street
Trinity Memorial Church Shelter
Year-Round Church Shelter - Men
2212 Spruce Street
Bethesda Project Oxford Emergency Shelter
917 Oxford Street
Bethesda Bainbridge
Supportive Housing
700 South 15th Street
Bethesda Spruce
Supportive Housing
1110 Spruce Street
Bethesda Project’s My Brother's House
Safe Haven - Men
609 South 15th Street
Bethesda Sanctuary
Supportive Housing
816 South 20th Street
Mary House
Independent Housing
707 South Hicks Street
Domenic House
Independent Housing
1628 - 1630 South Street
How to Get Involved
Pagotto said that the nonprofit was started by a group of volunteers and community involvement is still so important as homelessness continues to increase in the city and nationwide.
“The most significant way community members can help is financially,” she said. “Often times people see a homeless person on the street and want to give them a few dollars to help, but I encourage instead investing in nonprofits who have a proven record for moving the needle of homelessness. You can make an individual gift or make one through your employer’s matching gift program.”
She added that volunteers are also always needed to help with cleaning, preparing meals and socializing with guests and residents to build connections.
Volunteers can also organize in-kind drives to collect canned goods, clothes and other items.
She also encourages everyone to follow Bethesda Project on social media to help spread awareness and keep up-to-to-date on upcoming events.
Everyone is invited to Bethesda Project’s 28th Annual Party & Auction on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.
Pagotto said there is also a silent auction that goes live the week before during which anyone can bid on the items.
If you are interested in learning more about Bethesda Project, visit bethesdaproject.org/
