Human First
Compassionate service rooted in dignity, mercy, and the belief that every person should be treated as fully human.
Human First Outreach
Human First Outreach is one of the ministries through which Saint Francis Parish & Outreach seeks to make the love of Christ visible in practical and compassionate ways. This ministry focuses on serving people experiencing homelessness in the Augusta, Georgia area by providing needed supplies and meeting people with kindness, dignity, and respect.
The name of this outreach reflects its purpose. Before anything else, we believe people should be seen and treated as human beings made in the image of God. Outreach begins not with judgment, pressure, or distance, but with mercy, attention, and care.
What This Ministry Provides
Human First Outreach provides food and toiletry supplies to those in need. The parish’s public materials also note that this ministry provides feminine hygiene products and food for the pets of homeless friends and family.
These acts of care may appear simple, but they meet real needs and remind people that they are not forgotten.
A Ministry of Presence and Respect
Human First Outreach is not only about distributing supplies. It is also about how we meet people. The ministry encourages volunteers to engage with those they serve in a compassionate and loving way, recognizing that respect and human presence matter as much as material support.
The parish’s outreach language is especially clear on this point: volunteers are expected to refrain from proselytizing or preaching to the people they serve. Instead, they are encouraged to listen more, speak less, and approach each person with humility and care.
Why This Work Matters
At Saint Francis Parish & Outreach, we believe that Christian faith must take visible form in mercy and solidarity. Human First Outreach expresses that conviction by standing with people who are often overlooked, disregarded, or treated without dignity.
This ministry reflects the wider Franciscan and parish charism of compassion, hospitality, and care for those on the margins. It is one way the parish seeks to live the Gospel beyond the walls of the church.
How You Can Help
If you would like to support Human First Outreach, you can help by contributing needed items for distribution. The parish currently directs supporters to an Amazon wishlist so that supplies may be sent directly to the ministry.
Join in the Work
Human First Outreach is a reminder that the Church is called not only to preach good news, but to embody it. If you would like to support this ministry, learn more about outreach at Saint Francis, or find other ways to serve, we invite you to reach out.