On January 28th, 1991, Francis House welcomed its first resident.

Francis House was the dream of Sister Kathleen Osbelt, OSF. Serving as a hospital chaplain in the 1980s, she realized there were few, if any, places outside of a hospital setting where individuals could spend their final days. Sister also realized there were many in our community who, due to lack of family or resources, did not have the choice to die at home. The Sisters of Saint Francis dedicated a two-family home on Syracuse’s North Side to the vision for Francis House. Community volunteers renovated the house and prepared it to welcome its first residents. 

With unwavering support from the community, Francis House, at 108 Michaels Avenue, opened in 1991. Just seven years later, it expanded to two homes.

In 2024, beginning its 33rd year of service, Francis House employs 50 staff members, is blessed by the talents of more than 200 volunteers and is supported by the generosity of thousands of dedicated, compassionate supporters who have funded its mission steadfastly, enabling Francis House to care for more than 4,000 residents and support more than 12,000 family members with unconditional love, a home-like atmosphere, respect and dignity.

Sister Kathleen’s favorite quote is from Ephesians (3:20) and reads, “Glory to God whose power at work in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.”

HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS

• 1989: the Sisters of St. Francis leadership meets with community leaders with the idea to create a home and a family where people with terminal illnesses could die with dignity and experience unconditional love.
• A small group of dedicated individuals seeks support for “Project Home.”
• The Sisters of St. Francis designate and donate a house at 108 Michaels Avenue in Syracuse for the endeavor.
• On January 28, 1991, Francis House opens its doors to the first two residents with a family of caregivers that include 3 sisters of St. Francis and 56 volunteers.
• To meet overwhelming need, Francis House completes the necessary renovations to care for six residents at a time and create office space for staff members.
• In 1998, a 7,800 square-foot building renovation and expansion project begins in order to increase resident bedrooms to 8 and to provide more pleasant and safer environment for the residents.
• On February 24, 1999, friends and family of Francis House celebrate the Open House of the J. Stanley Coyne Residence at Francis House. Residents move into the new building on March 1, 1999.
• With the construction of the new building, the Walkway of Blessings is created in the yard and surrounds the gazebo with etched bricks dedicated in memory and honor of loved ones.
• January 28, 2001: Francis House friends, family, staff members and volunteers celebrate ten years of caring.
• July 2002: Francis House Board of Directors vote to build a second home.
• April 2003: Francis House breaks ground on a new home next to the current house.
• January 8, 2004: the blessing and dedication of the Tommy Coyne Residence at Francis House (114 Michaels Avenue) takes place.
• February 2004: the first residents move into 114 Michaels Avenue.
• 2005: Francis House creates the Youth Auxiliary.
• January 28, 2006: the ministry of Francis House celebrates its 15th anniversary.
• October 2007: Francis House’s signature fundraising event, There’s No Place Like Home, grows to over 2,000 attendees.
• 2011: Francis House celebrates its 20th anniversary and creates The Caring Fund in Honor of Sister Kathleen Osbelt, Francis House’s endowment.
• 2016: Francis House celebrates 25 years of caring for over 2,500 individuals during their final days.
• 2016: the Francis House Board of Directors adds a second sentence to its mission statement–“We will use our lived experience to help others.” With this commitment, the Mission Outreach program is created.
• 2016: Francis House becomes one of the first homes to help establish Omega Home Network, a network of comfort care homes across the United States.
• 2018: Francis House surpasses caring for 3,000 residents.
• 2021: Francis House celebrates 30 years of caring to over 3,300 individuals during their final days.