Our Story

from oHoly Ground began in 2008 when Fr. Seamus Murtagh, then-pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, was inspired to address the growing number of individuals living on the streets, whom he encountered on his morning walks. St. Ann’s was already actively serving persons experiencing homelessness, but Fr. Murtagh recognized that these efforts were not enough. Determined to do more, he organized a community gathering to examine the issue of homelessness more deeply.

From this initial gathering, a dedicated group of volunteers formed and began meeting regularly to explore ways to create lasting change. After obtaining 501(c)(3) status in 2009, Holy Ground Shelter for Homeless, Inc. (now Holy Ground PBC) started its mission. After careful discernment, Holy Ground chose to focus on young pregnant or parenting women and their children, recognizing them as one of the most underserved populations in Palm Beach County. The limited number of beds available for young mothers in the area often results in long waiting lists, forcing many to seek shelter out of the county or state or, worse, leaving them without any support at all.

Holy Ground PBC welcomed our first young family in 2011. Currently, we own two residential campuses (one in West Palm Beach and one in Lake Park, funded in part by generous grants from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, as well as other major community partners), and we offer numerous transformative wraparound services to empower our clients with the tools for self-sufficiency. The determined young women who have graduated from our program have healed from past traumatic experiences, gained essential life skills, and found careers in teaching, banking, healthcare, childcare, and insurance, to name just a few.

Providing A Home & Hope