The work of San Jose Obrero (St. Joseph the Worker) Mission (SJOM) began in 1981 when Dominican Priest Fr. David Staszak, O.P. responded to the growing number of people coming to the church rectory asking for a place to sleep. Funds raised through a rummage sale enabled Fr. David to rent an old YMCA building. When a fire destroyed the shelter, Fr. David identified another suitable building and, through a combination of gifts and contributions, raised the $300,000 required to purchase and rehab it. SJOM reopened as a two-story emergency shelter with space for 40 men. - - In the fall of 1999 SJOM converted its emergency shelter to a more service-intensive transitional program. Beginning July 1, 2005, to comply with the Chicago Continuum of Cares Strategic Plan, Getting Housed, Staying Housed, SJOMs converted to an interim housing program which incorporates three components: assessment, referral, and benefits screening. From 2005 - December 31, 2009 SJOM operated as an interim house solely for homeless men, serving 40 at any one time. Because of its proven track record and comprehensive services, the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) recognizes it as a model program for other homeless agencies. Therefore, in January 2010 as requested by the City, SJOM expanded to include an 80-bed interim house for women and children and 130-bed emergency shelter for men, both located in Little Village. It now serves up to 250 homeless men, women and children at any given time.

San Jose Obrero Mission provides housing and employment services to families and individuals in crisis in Latino communities leading to self-sufficiency.

SJOMs interim houses operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and accommodate households until they secure permanent housing, assuming they work toward their goals and do not violate program regulations. Its Residential Services offer 3 daily meals, access to shower and laundry facilities and basic health care. Supportive Services are essential in achieving the primary goal of supporting participants as they increase their income and prepare to move to independent living. With a Case Manager (CM), households create an individualized plan incorporating psycho-educational and skill-building groups, employment services, educational and daycare services for children and social, referral, and after-care services. Weekly meetings with the CM occur thereafter to discuss progress toward goals and for households to express needs or concerns. Facilitated by the CMs, Life Skills classes provide guidance on daily living to help participants become self-sufficient. The sessions provide a confidential place for participants to discuss topics including Communication Skills, Self-Esteem, Personal Hygiene, and Budgeting. Households with less than full-time employment create an employment service plan with the Career Coach (CC) and receive individual assistance with job searches, resumes, referrals to employment training and placement programs, and help applying for government benefits as needed. Participants with less than a high school diploma or who are not proficient in English are referred to GED or ESL classes. SJOM also plans to reinstate its Career Training (CT) curriculum in the coming months to offer intensive services to enhance participants employability. CT includes ten classes given in Spanish and English on topics such as internet, e-mail and Microsoft basics, resume building, job searching, and ends with a mock interview with SJOM staff. SJOMs Emergency Shelter provides immediate overnight shelter, hot dinner and shower facilities 365 nights a year from 5:30 pm to 6:00 am to up to 130 men ages 18 and older. Chronically homeless men in the shelter may opt in to SJOMs Bed Assignment system which designates beds for these mens use on a nightly basis. Participating in this system allows men access to SJOM residency letters to obtain mainstream benefits and/or employment. As of December 2009, SJOM is also a site for the HUD initiative, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). Through HPRP, SJOM participants and residents of 7 communities on the southwest side of Chicago may receive help in locating appropriate and affordable housing, establishing a relationship with the landlord and ensuring a legal lease is in place. Once housed, they also receive rental assistance for 3 months and work closely with SJOMs Stabilization Case Manager to maintain their housing. If clients are not able to assume full rental responsibilities at the end of the 3 months they are able to receive assistance for up to 18 months.