CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF GALLUP, Inc.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM STARTED IN FARMINGTON
San Juan Catholic Charities in Farmington is beginning a new ministry, Drexel House, next door to the main building at 119 West Broadway. Drexel House is a transitional housing program serving homeless families. Unlike a shelter, the families can stay as long as 24 months, in order to put their lives back together and become self-sufficient when they leave the program. Louise Baca, a licensed social worker and member of Sacred Heart Parish in Farmington, is the case manager working with the families and referring them to resources. She is also offering encouragement in their efforts to accomplish their goals.
An Open House on Aug. 15 from 1-5 p.m. was well attended and many guests participated in the blessing of the building by Father James Walker, vicar general for the Diocese of Gallup. In addition to the traditional prayers and sprinkling of holy water throughout the building, Fr. Walker used prayers celebrating Saint Katherine Drexel, for whom the building and ministry are named. Karen Pete, a member of Christ the King Parish in Shiprock, performed a traditional Navajo blessing. She began the blessing with the sign of the cross, and explained the use of corn pollen in the blessing.
The building has four apartments available for the families that are accepted into the program. At least 20 local homeless families have begun the application process, with seven of them having spent time living in a car or a tent. A selection committee will make the difficult choice of which four families will be accepted.
San Juan Catholic Charities is using furniture and other household items which have come from generous donors. Because it will take time for the families to make progress and be able to provide for themselves, San Juan Catholic Charities also needs various supplies for the families. Money is the most flexible gift, and since this is a new program, it will be especially helpful when unexpected needs arise. Other items being requested are kitchen pots and pans, household cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, hygiene items (such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and diapers), gift cards for local grocery stores and bus passes for the Red Apple Transit in Farmington so family members can look for work and have transportation to a job. Further information is available from Sister Maggie Jackson, Director of San Juan Catholic Charities, 505-716-3900, and from Louis Baca, Case Manager, 505-608-1517.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gallup has many programs and ministries to persons in need throughout the diocese. These put into action what the Second Vatican Council proclaimed as: “The joys and hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these too are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” And The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. ‘As you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’ ” In this spirit, Catholic Charities welcomes donations and other kinds of involvement in all of its programs and ministries in our diocese.
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