We are a ministry insomuch as our founder and CEO, Fr. Francis Pizzarelli, is a Montfort Missionary. Most people think of missionaries as working overseas. But Fr. Frank, as he is affectionately known, found his life’s calling in Port Jefferson, New York. There, 41 years ago, he was assigned to his first parish at Infant Jesus where he discovered hundreds of youth who were homeless, experiencing mental health issues and living with addictions. It wasn’t long before he realized that neither government nor faith communities were doing enough to meet the crisis of homelessness.
What started as a neighborhood response to a neighborhood issue, has expanded it’s service area to include all of Long Island, New England and beyond. Alumni have come from Florida, California, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona and as far away as Canada, Australia, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, India, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Fr. Frank is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist specializing in mental health and substance abuse counseling. He is a recognized member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and holds the highest level of credentialing available through the National Association of Social Workers.
He is a Professor of Social Work at Fordham University, St. Joseph’s College and Suffolk Community College and holds Honorary Doctorates in Humane Letters from both St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s College. In 2019 he received the St. Joseph College Humanitarian Award for Extraordinary Human Service.
In addition to his professional career, Fr. Frank is a missionary priest working in the Diocese of Rockville Center. When not at home meeting with clients or celebrating Mass for those who attend Little Portion Friary in Mt. Sinai, Fr. Frank is called upon for speaking engagements, marriages, baptisms, reconciliation, annointing of the sick, last rites and funerals. During summer months, you can catch him on Saturday evenings saying Mass for parishoners of Most Precious Blood Parish at Davis Park, Fire Island.
For those familiar with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous & Narcotics Anonymous, connection to a Higher Power is paramount to one’s recovery. For the residents of our programs, incorporating a relationship with one’s Higher Power is essential, no matter a person’s faith tradition, ethnic background or gender. At Hope House Ministries, all are accepted for who they are and where they’re at on their own life’s journey.
Our programs serve as a source of healing and strength for those who are broken in any way. Our staff and volunteers believe in the transformative power of hope because we witness miracles every day:
When someone who has struggled to remain sober for years is finally restored to a life of love and healing, we believe in hope.
When a stranger is able to regain a sense of dignity from a hot shower, a home made meal or conversation, we believe in hope.
When children, seperated from their families because of behavior issues are reconciled and return home to their family, instead of heading to prison, we believe in hope.
When children, seperated from their families because of behavior issues are reconciled and return home to their family, we believe in hope.
And when those who are lonely, depressed, isolated or contemplating suicide begin to believe in themselves, we believe in hope.
The 18th century French saint and scholar, St. Louis de Montfort, had the courage to do what no one else had the courage to do. He lived his life entrusting every moment to God and did everything in his power to reach those in need, especially the poor.
Hope House Ministries is a faith based human service agency. It is also a ministry. And it is staffed by dedicated professional counselors and case managers who continue its legacy of service today.