By Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer

Come for the coffee, stay for the friendships

STEVENS POINT – Franciscans Downtown celebrated its fifth anniversary during a June 29 open house.
The Catholic establishment has become a unique nexus of social acceptance since they first opened their doors on June 1, 2014.

“We don’t necessarily solve problems, but we encourage people to go and take care of the important things in their lives,” said Friar Placid Stroik, a founding member of Franciscans Downtown. “That’s the real thing we do. It’s important, giving people six hours a day, where they don’t have to pay anything, and they could work on their next step.”

Stroik, a Stevens Point native, set out to open the welcoming shop to give the homeless population, and those down on their luck, a safe space to eat, drink and connect with the community in a new way during daytime hours.

Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza spoke at the event. He sees Franciscans Downtown as a necessity in the area.

“It provides a service for a lot of people,” Wiza explained about the shop. “It’s not just a warm place to stay. They bring people together. It’s an underserved segment of society that can get together and feel welcome, and I think that’s really what Stevens Point is all about is acceptance, and a safe place to feel welcome, and that’s what the Franciscans do.”

Friar Jim Gannon, OFM Provincial of the Franciscans, stated,

“In the beginning of Franciscans Downtown, it says that it’s a place for the gospel,” Gannon said. “When I first stood here and asked the question: ‘what are you going to do with this?’ Well, look at this, look what you’ve done, look what Placid has done, look what all of you have done in the five years.”

Gannon was impressed with the community’s reverence for the program and congratulated Stroik on the realization of his inclusive mission to unite the inhabitants of Stevens Point.

Franciscans Downtown is open to the public on Mondays- Fridays, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, call 715-341-2790.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at [email protected] with Portage County news and information.