Mission: Broad Street Love (BSL) is an organization that helps people stabilize their lives through various social services that address their immediate basic needs, including–but not limited to–a weekday meal service and a hygiene distribution program. At BSL, we are guided by the practice of “Radical Hospitality,” which means that, without barriers, all neighbors are welcomed at BSL and treated as our guests. By offering Radical Hospitality to our neighbors in need, BSL creates connection and community, restores hope and dignity, and increases security and self-sufficiency. Guided by a vision that we can transform our city, our institutions, and ourselves when we embrace the individual needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, BSL seeks to not only meaningfully reduce the trauma and suffering caused by scarcity for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable populations but–in collaboration with our best in class social service and government partners–to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and hunger faced by thousands of Philadelphians each year.

Leadership: Laure Biron, CEO, joined BSL in May 2019 as Chief Operating Officer. She holds an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and master’s degrees in Social Work and Social Research and Legal and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr College. Laure previously served as Program Director of Mural Arts’ Porch Light program, a partnership with the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services. During her tenure, she oversaw operations of two new commercial corridor storefronts, in Kensington and Northeast Philadelphia, serving the needs of vulnerable neighborhood constituencies, layering the arts with social services to promote individual health and neighborhood wellness. She played a pivotal role in the quick adjustments BSL made to our operations to ensure continued services throughout the pandemic, providing sound leadership within our organization and with program partners. In April 2021, Laure was promoted to Chief Executive Officer.

Greatest Needs: Each year, BSL addresses the immediate needs of 7,000+ guests through our non-traditional social services. In 2023:

• We served 83,549 meals.
• BSL’s address was used by 8,638 guests to receive mail.
• We distributed 13,232 pieces of clothing to 2,902 guests.
• We distributed 92,427 personal care items to 6,126 individuals through on- and off-site community hygiene services.
• Guests obtained 1,691 ID documents through BSL.
• 1,565 BSL guests received benefits support (e.g., Medicaid/Medicare, SSI/SSDI/BHSI).
• 681 guests worked closely with our clinical staff to receive help accessing benefits, medical and behavioral healthcare, housing assistance, and other stabilizing supports.

BSL’s largest challenge has been expanding our services to meet our guests’ growing and changing needs. As a result, our budget has grown by almost $1.7 million over the last several years; in 2019, our budget was $2,618,645, and in 2024, it is $4,318,039. We face the challenge of managing significant inflation, supply chain issues, and a potential decrease in donations due to inflation and the end of pandemic emergency funding programs. BSL aims to meet the immediate needs of hundreds of Philadelphians experiencing scarcity every day, helping them to progress to a more stable state and improve their quality of life. Investments into our mission not only nourish guests’ bodies but also their spirits, community, and hope.

Success Story: Maria’s first day visiting BSL wasn’t pleasant. She had been struggling with depression for years, which was exacerbated by the stress of caring for her mother who was impaired by Alzheimer’s. Money had gotten so tight at home she frequently had to make difficult choices between buying groceries or necessities like adult briefs for her mother. On the day she joined us at BSL Maria later told us, she had not been able to change her clothing or undergarments for more than a week. Despite balancing myriad stresses, this one felt like the last straw. She finished eating and collected a fresh outfit, underwear, and socks, but she left BSL still feeling overwhelmed.

When Maria returned a few weeks later, she felt comfortable sharing more about her situation. At that time, she asked about housing but was not expecting much help since she had a housing option with her family. She was surprised to learn that BSL Concierges (case managers) could complete assessments to determine eligibility. She was even more surprised to learn she was eligible for many services including a transitional housing program with mental health supports. All this had come together from the simple act of seeking a meal and some fresh clothing.

Within a year of her first visit, Maria was in a supportive housing program but continued to come to BSL every day for a meal, to pick up her mail, and—most of all—for the sense of belonging and community.

“I have a big family, but I don’t get along with them that good,” she says. “When I come down here, I feel better, I feel different, I feel appreciated, I feel loved, and as many people come here, they still know your name. Like the bartenders, where they know your name. When you come here, you meet different people from all over the world. Different volunteers, small, little, big, Black, white, all. This is like the UN; this is like the UN with food.”

With inclusivity and hospitality as our guiding principles, we couldn’t be more touched by that description. As “the UN with food,” we were honored to help Maria and celebrate her successes and milestones month after month.