ABOUT FH
Who We Are
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Uniting people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home.
OUR VISION
Every person deserves a place to call home.
Home is more than a house; it’s safety, dignity, and belonging. Through compassionate, community-based support, we empower individuals to navigate challenges and reclaim stability, purpose, and a true sense of home.
FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
Our Value Pillars
LOVE
RESPECT
GRACE
COMPASSION
ACCEPTANCE
35+
YEARS
OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE
OUR VISION
Helping people
find their way.
For nearly 40 years, Friendship House has served the Delaware community with the support of dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners. Reaching more than 17,000 people annually, we remain committed to our belief that everyone deserves a place to call home—physically, emotionally, and within a caring community.
Friendship House walks alongside people experiencing homelessness, houselessness, or both—understanding houselessness is the loss of a physical residence, homelessness is the loss of community and connection. One often leads to the other, and both can deeply impact a person’s sense of identity and stability.
That’s why we prioritize building relationships and restoring community. At the heart of all we do is a commitment to love, dignity, and support. Through our services—such as the Clothing Bank, Empowerment Centers, Seasonal Programming, Financial Assistance, and Transitional Housing—we work to fill critical gaps and walk with each person on their unique journey.
OUR HISTORY
Fueling transformation
through compassion.
In 1986, Friendship House (FH) began its work within a Wilmington, Delaware thrift store, serving the growing community of individuals experiencing homelessness. The thrift store was operated by New Castle Presbytery with support from Meeting Ground, a Maryland-based nonprofit.
In the winter of 1986-87, local faith communities in Wilmington noticed the unhouse population increase and partnered with the thrift store to provide emergency overnight shelter to those in need. FH started to gain recognition among the community and the needs of those it served began to grow. In response, FH became a resource available to the community 24 hours a day. Many came to FH at night, seeking shelter from the cold. During the day, it became a place for assistance and advocacy, as an increasing number of individuals and families sought to find a place to call home.
On April 1, 1987, the city fire marshal ordered FH to close until it was fully licensed as a shelter. In 1988, in partnership with Meeting Ground, Immanuel Highlands Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, First & Central Presbyterian Church, and several committed individuals, FH formally incorporated as Friendship House, Inc. (a Delaware nonprofit corporation with 501(c) (3) status). Although the thrift store never reopened, FH began building a network of services to continue its positive impact on the community.
Since then, FH has grown into a vital support network for those facing houselessness and homelessness across Delaware. With the help of a dedicated team and countless volunteers, FH partners with faith communities, schools, businesses, and organizations to expand its reach. Its Transitional Housing Services offers stability for those rebuilding their lives, while Empowerment Centers and Financial Assistance Services provide daily support and advocacy. Through seasonal initiatives like Saturday Morning Hospitality, Code Purple, and Code Orange, FH ensures care is available year-round. The Clothing Bank further extends FH’s impact by offering essential clothing, job training, and resources for school children, strengthening the fabric of the community it serves.