Begun in 1995, the Moving Ahead Program (MAP) at St. Francis House is a 14-week job and life-skills training program serving individuals who have experienced homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and/or histories of incarceration. In addition to basic computer and writing skills, students of the program are consulted on self-confidence, self-wellness, and self-preservation. As a result, students learn to identify, pursue, and succeed in careers that are a match for their interests, abilities, skills, and work values.

The existing MAP program, which encompassed the entire 4thfloor, included a reception/common area, alumni center, four seminar rooms, MAP faculty offices, and clothing department (a.k.a. Studio Shine). In recent years, the demand for these services has increased significantly and has evolved to be more focused on self-preservation and wellness. The objective of this project was to essentially double their capacity to serve these individuals and their specific needs.

The scope of the project included a complete renovation of the 5thfloor, which once served as a 100-bed unit for Long Island Shelter, but most recently as clothing storage, and minor renovations and cosmetic upgrades to the 4th floor. We worked directly with St. Francis House to develop their new program for MAP. Both the 5th and 4th floors were looked at as a whole to provide a unified program between the two floors, which are separated by stairs and elevator service. The new program included an increase in the existing seminar room capacity, the addition of two more seminar rooms, an increase to Studio Shine, an alumni computer room,  a larger common area, more faculty offices, a common pantry, and a multi-purpose Wellness Room.

Two key additions to the existing MAP program were the Wellness Room and the Common Pantry. The Wellness Room was developed to serve approximately 30 individuals for large group therapy, yoga, and Pilates sessions. This room also was designed to serve as a large conference room and hold bi-annual graduation celebrations. The new Common Pantry adds another dimension to the existing MAP program by providing a place to train individuals basic kitchen skills. More importantly, this vehicle rejuvenates the individuals’ ability and confidence needed for taking care of themselves. This space was purposely designed to have a residential feel and scale, smoothing the individual’s transition from the program and real-life. The pantry also was designed to cater snacks and lunch for all members of the program. In the past, individuals would leave the building or dine on the first floor away from MAP. Now, individuals are encouraged to stay within the confines of MAP – this promotes socialization and unity among its members.

St. Francis House requested that the new interior provided a corporate image and a space that would be hospitable to all individuals. “We want people to feel like they are coming work” was the statement made by the Executive Director of St. Francis House. Therefore, the challenge was to create this balance between the two floors of a corporate appearing space that was not intimidating for the individuals. The result was an interior color palette and design that portrayed the corporate and modern image, but provided warmth with color and natural light, and a hint of playfulness in the flooring patterns.