About the fund
Why does our Foundation exist?
The St John's Giving Hope Foundation was established in Brooklyn, New York (USA) in 2015 with the aim of helping the homeless in the Brighton Beach area, rehabilitating them and bringing them back to full life. With the creation of the foundation, the activities were formalised, in fact continuously in existence since 2003.
Officially there are about 600;000 Russian-speaking people living in New York City, most of them in Brooklyn. Russian is one of New York City's eight official languages, underground signs and official documents are translated into Russian, and it is possible to take driving licence exams in Russian. However, Brighton Beach Street, famous outside America, is not only a concentration of Russian restaurants and shops, but also a large number of homeless people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.
Often these people have nowhere to turn for help as many of them do not speak English well, do not know their rights, do not know that they may be entitled to some kind of help; in addition, some of them do not have legal status in the country and are afraid to seek help because they do not want to be deported. For these reasons, our foundation is often the only place of help for those who speak Russian.
Russian-speaking homeless people in New York
The Foundation was named in honour of the Righteous Father John of Kronstadt, venerated by the Orthodox Church. Drawing on Father John as a good example, Brooklyn volunteers began to go to places where homeless people congregate - under bridges, in gazebos on the Atlantic oceanfront, in the lobbies of underground stations - and give them the help they need. We distribute hot food several times a week, sometimes clothes and shoes; we try to respond to individual requests: some people need a bath, others need laundry, still others need medication, and so on.
We are the Foundation of John of Kronstadt
The main reason their lives are fading on the streets is internal breakdown, frustration, loss of hope.
Saint John of Kronstadt
About Orthodoxy
We know that only God can give hope that will not deceive, fail or disappoint, and therefore we are always ready to help those who are ready and ask us for help to find their way to the temple. Our foundation works closely with the patriarchal parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA, and we have good relations with a number of parishes of the Orthodox Church in America, as well as the Archdiocese of Antioch and other jurisdictions of canonical Orthodoxy represented in the country.
We know that only God can give hope that will not deceive, fail or disappoint, and therefore we are always ready to help those who are ready and ask us for help to find their way to the temple. Our foundation works closely with the patriarchal parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA, and we have good relations with a number of parishes of the Orthodox Church in America, as well as the Archdiocese of Antioch and other jurisdictions of canonical Orthodoxy represented in the country.
Our shelter
In 2017, the Foundation opened a 12-bed Workhouse for homeless men in Coney Island. Here, former homeless men are provided with everything they need and undergo a rehabilitation programme, after which they usually lead a sober life, have a steady job and, as a result, are able to rent and pay for their own accommodation.
In 2017, the Foundation opened a 12-bed Workhouse for homeless men in Coney Island. Here, former homeless men are provided with everything they need and undergo a rehabilitation programme, after which they usually lead a sober life, have a steady job and, as a result, are able to rent and pay for their own accommodation.
A temple for the homeless
In 2018, a chapel in honour of St John of Kronstadt was built inside the Workhouse, which has now been transformed into a house church where regular services are held by Father Maxim Pliskov, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church..
In 2018, a chapel in honour of St John of Kronstadt was built inside the Workhouse, which has now been transformed into a house church where regular services are held by Father Maxim Pliskov, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church..
Our team
It's easy to get in touch and work with us
- Vadim ArefievExecutive Director
- Julia ManinHead of Legal Affairs
- Olga RoitmanCoordinator (logistics and strategic planning)
© 2021 SAINT JOHN GIVES HOPE CHARITY FUND