St. Francis House hires new VP of Programs & Services. * Aug 14, 2026 Updated Aug 14, 2026 St. Francis House (SFH), New England's largest daytime shelter, has announced the appointment of Lydie Ultimo as its new Vice President of Programs & Services. A seasoned leader in public health and behavioral health administration, Ultimo brings decades of specialized experience to the multi-service organization as it expands its trauma-informed continuum of care. Ultimo most recently served as the Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services (BILH BS). Her distinguished career also includes high-profile leadership roles within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where she served as the Director of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) and Director of the Office of Health Equity. "Lydie is an exceptional leader whose deep expertise spans healthcare systems, state-level public health administration, and direct community care," said Karen LaFrazia, President and CEO of St. Francis House. "Her profound understanding of behavioral health, substance use disorder recovery, and health equity comes at a pivotal moment for our organization. As we continue our commitment to holistic, trauma-informed care, Lydie's visionary leadership will ensure our programs continue to provide innovative, dignity-centered pathways to stability for our guests. We are incredibly fortunate to welcome her to our executive team." In her new role, Ultimo will oversee St. Francis House's comprehensive array of integrated services, including housing assistance, workforce development, basic needs, and behavioral health programs. Her alignment with the shelter's mission builds directly upon her life's work advocating for vulnerable populations and addressing the social determinants of health. "I have spent my career working to build equitable, supportive systems for individuals navigating complex trauma, behavioral health challenges, and substance use disorders," said Ultimo. "Joining St. Francis House feels like a natural and deeply meaningful culmination of that journey. I am long-inspired by this organization's unwavering commitment to meeting people exactly where they are with radical hospitality and profound dignity. I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team to strengthen our programs and elevate the care we provide to our neighbors in Boston." About St. Francis House. St. Francis House is the largest daytime shelter in New England, currently serving nearly 10,000 individuals each year. Founded in 1984 and located in downtown Boston, St. Francis House provides shelter, food, clothing, and pathways to stability for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty. Through a continuum of integrated programs and services that focus on the whole individual, guests achieve stability in key areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. St. Francis House has been recognized as a National Model Program by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Conference of Mayors' Committee on Hunger and Homelessness, and the United States House of Representatives' Speaker's Task Force on Homelessness. For more information, visit stfrancishouse.org, or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

St. Francis House to permanently close its downtown center in april. Mar 16, 2026 3:43 pm St. Francis House announced on March 16 that its downtown shelter and service center would close by mid-April. Key Points * St. Francis House will permanently close its downtown shelter and service center by mid-April to sell the building and stabilize finances. * The nonprofit will stop its Day Services Program and emergency shelter at the downtown location in 2024 while continuing services at Arbor House. * St. Francis House sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County as part of restructuring and hopes to open a new service location after selling the downtown center. St. Francis House announced Monday that its downtown shelter and service center would permanently close as the nonprofit homeless provider tries to sell the building. A press release said St. Francis House would stop its Day Services Program on Friday. The program provides access to case management services, donations, meals, laundry facilities, client phones and bathrooms. St. Francis House will end emergency shelter and cold night shelter at the location by mid-April, the press release said. Become A Member Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible. See Member Benefits The closure of the nonprofit's downtown location, bought in 1993, has been foreshadowed for years. St. Francis House Treasurer Al Cockerell told Mainstreet in 2024 that the nonprofit was searching for a buyer to stabilize finances and pivot services. As part of its restructuring, the nonprofit sold its 35-unit Sunrise Inn to Alachua County. "For many years, St. Francis House has been committed to helping women and families with children experiencing homelessness create new futures," the press release said. "While these changes are difficult, our mission continues, and we remain dedicated to supporting women and families as they work toward stability and housing." St. Francis House will continue to operate Arbor House, a program helping women and children find a permanent home and stability. The press release said the nonprofit is hopeful to open a new location to continue the discontinued services. But a new space remains pending, contingent upon the sale of the downtown center. The center has just over 11,000 square feet and sits on an acre of prime real estate. The property fronts South Main Street on the west and SE Fourth Avenue to the north in Gainesville. Share this post: Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Email * Seth Johnson Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News associate editor based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking. Suggested articles. 10 Comments This is very disheartening. There are a lot of unhoused people downtown who need these services, so it was an opportune location. I worry for the people who need assistance in the interim. They need to clean up Downtown. Too much crime, homelessness and vagrancy. Kimberly Townsend Palmer Reply to joe Oh. Exactly what St. Francis would say!!! What the bloody HELL are you talking about??? Reply to joe Thank you the delusional progressive policy promoting homelessness have destroyed downtown Gainesville How disappointing. St. Francis House has been a leader in providing shelter and services in the community for over 40 years. I hope they will be able to continue in the future. the many have received help from st. Francis House, nearly half a century... Church | people are great miracle workers. Give praise | for miracle workers. At the same time ,time has grown. Prime location for what is now not 50 years ago. God is the director. Sherparding flock ... Help is always on the way. So did a developer buy it and gonna build condos? Sharon Keith Maybe Main Street Daily News need to re-think how Main Street Daily News help mothers, fathers and families determine their best futures. Please advise them of their choices now and ask President Trump (a good agent) to bring forth quickly all that Golden Treasure In its NEW TREASURY now in Temple, Texas! Maybe I can help. How unfortunate. Absent the services St. Francis House has provided, Main Street Daily News'll see more needy, desperate homeless people downtown with nothing to lose. At least with St. Francis they could have a meal, shelter from the cold, general delivery for USPS mail, etc. Now, nothing. Justin Smith The closing of St. Francis House is an incredible loss to foundational services for the homeless population in downtown Gainesville. There is no other reliable, daily option for hot meals, showers, and basic necessities (clothing, toiletries) for folks who are struggling against or who have succumb to the trauma, pressures, and barriers that bring and trap people to living a life on the street. While there are a multitude of piecemeal services people can try to navigate to get what they need, to do so further removes folks from a constant resource that is desperately needed.