Saint Agnes and Poverello House open doors to renewed hope for women

Fresno, CA—In a bold step toward restoring dignity and hope for women experiencing homelessness, Saint Agnes Medical Center and Poverello House have joined forces to open Naomi’s House at Holy Cross—a 30-bed transitional housing facility in downtown Fresno. This transformative space offers not only shelter, but a pathway to healing, stability, and renewed opportunity for underserved women across the region.

The newly renovated 2,426-square-foot facility, located just inside the Saint Agnes Holy Cross Health and Wellness Center, provides secure, short-term housing for up to 90 days for unhoused and underserved women. Designed to foster comfort, stability, and personal growth, Naomi’s House at Holy Cross features a full-sized kitchen and dining area, private showers, comfortable bedding, a laundry room, and a dedicated educational space—creating a safe and dignified environment where women can begin to rebuild their lives.

For more than four decades, Saint Agnes and Poverello House have shared a steadfast commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable members of our community—a partnership that began with the founding of the Holy Cross Center for Women (now Holy Cross Health and Wellness Center) adjacent to the Poverello House campus.

Together, they have created a legacy of compassionate care, meeting critical needs through the provision of clothing, diapers, and educational support for women and children; offering free health and dental screenings; and, most recently, expanding services to include vital mental health and substance use support. This enduring alliance continues to be a lifeline for countless individuals and families striving for hope, healing, and a path forward.

“We are honored to continue the legacy of our founders, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, through our partnership with Poverello House,” says Ivonne Der Torosian, Saint Agnes Vice President, Community Health and Well-Being. “More than 40 years ago, the Sisters initiated this collaboration to address the pressing needs of our community. Today, it is a privilege to carry forward their mission by providing a safe space for women with a renovated Naomi’s House and our future initiatives.”

“Our partnership with Saint Agnes Medical Center spans more than four decades. Throughout that time, we have remained united in a common purpose to uplift and to care for women experiencing homelessness with dignity, compassion, and unwavering respect,” says Zackary Darrah, Chief Executive Officer, Poverello House. “This new facility not only represent a new chapter, the Naomi’s House at Holy Cross is a bold step forward in our shared vision that every individual, regardless of their position in life, deserves access to healing, hope, and humanity.”

In addition to Naomi’s House at Holy Cross, plans are underway to develop a community garden, providing residents with a peaceful, outdoor space to enjoy, along with an onsite medical clinic. Those details to be shared at the Ribbon Cutting event, Friday, May 30.