The first Joseph's People Chapter began in Downingtown, PA, in February, 1995.  Joan McCrea, who was teaching CCD, noticed that many of her teenage students had a parent who was unemployed and they were suffering because of it.

Joan realized that there was a large group of families within the parish whose special and unique needs were not being addressed by any of the existing parish ministries.  With the permission and support of Reverend Monsignor Robert T. McManus, the Pastor of the parish, Joan brought Cheryl Spaulding in to help establish a ministry completely devoted to alleviating the suffering of these people. 

Within three months of establishment, Joseph's People was receiving continual requests for assistance from other Catholic parishes and Protestant churches, all of whom had unemployed/under/employed members.  There were also requests from unemployed/under/employed individuals who had no religious affiliation.  People who learned of the group's existence sent their friends, previous co-workers, and family members to Joseph's People. Often, the geographical area of these requests was outside the boundary of St. Joseph's Parish and sometimes outside Chester County.  Clients of the mission were coming from as far away as the City of Philadelphia.

Joseph’s People quickly became refuge for all people.  Since 1995 it has helped more than 4500 people and has grown to eleven Chapters in Five Counties around Phila.