A local homeless shelter has benefitted from the generosity of a handful of Roman Catholic parishes.
Street Help, a drop-in centre for Windsor's homeless and vulnerable population, has received a $16,115 donation from four Windsor-Essex Catholic churches. The donation will support Street Help's work helping the homeless, as well as those having difficulty with basic necessities as the economy is slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parishioners from Paroisse St-Jerome in Windsor, Ste. Anne's in Tecumseh, Good Shepherd Parish in Lakeshore, and St. Simon & St. Jude in Lakeshore participated in the donation drive. According to a media release, the parishes are working together in a model called a “Family of Parishes”, which work together as a family, better focused on building disciples and welcoming new people.
"As we work together with our partner parishes, we are amazed at the generosity of all those who contributed," said Meghan Lauzon, a member of the organizing committee. "We know this is a difficult time for all of us, and we are grateful for those who could donate to those individuals most in need. As our parishes slowly reopen, we will not forget about those who are without the basics like food and housing."
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Street Help transitioned itself from providing traditional sit-down meals for the homeless to takeout service. With this arrangement putting a crimp in the shelter's finances, the donation from the churches is expected to help support Street Help's new operating model as it complies with public health guidelines.
Like most homeless shelters in Windsor-Essex, Street Help has run into difficulty sustaining itself during the pandemic. However, major events such as last week's June 27 Miracle have gone a long way toward helping these shelters continue to provide services during the pandemic.
