Catherine's House . . . home to local homeless women and their children . . .
Catherine’s House
Catherine’s House, on the Sisters of Mercy campus in Belmont has been providing a variety of services to homeless women and their dependent children since 1992. Our current benevolence budget is $3,000 annually; the annual budget for Catherine’s House is approximately 250,000, the majority of which comes from the Sisters of Mercy.
Women come to Catherine’s House as the result of becoming homeless from a number of situations. Some have left abusive situations, some are coming from drug or prison rehabilitation, some are there as the result of condemned or otherwise destroyed housing, or eviction because they are unable to pay rent.
Catherine’s House has 15 rooms to provide temporary housing for up to 3 months. During the time they are staying at Catherine’s House, the residents participate in a number of programs and services structured to help them establish and maintain independence. Some of the programs offered include:
On-going Case Management service
Housing Placement
Job Placement
Individual and Group Counseling Sessions
Parenting Classes
Nutrition Classes
Play Therapy
Computer Classes
Bi-monthly Bible Study Group
On-campus GED Program for residents who have not received their high school diploma.
In addition to operating financial needs, Catherine’s House has ongoing needs for donated furniture and household goods and supplies, which they use at the house as well as getting residents set up once they leave Catherine’s House. The Presbyterian Women have collected these goods in the past, they expressed much appreciation for that and for the money we have donated.
They are currently planning a renovation to increase the size of two rooms to accommodate larger families, and add an additional bathroom. One bathroom is currently shared by all residents.
