Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center offers food and shelter to homeless families

Intermountain Catholic

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Tracy Lewis (center), Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center Family Promise coordinator, and her dog, Scout, visit with a family during dinner. IC photo/Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center parishioners in the Family Promise ministry welcomed three families and offered them food and shelter from Nov. 27 through Dec. 4. St. Catherine partners with Salt Lake First Baptist Church and participates in the program four times a year with eight other local churches.

Family Promise founder Karen Olson’s hospitality idea began in 1982; the movement now assists thousands of homeless families into housing each year.

"The Family Promise model exists because of the participating churches that house the families," said Tony Milner, Salt Lake City Family Promise executive director. "We are grateful for the churches because it’s always a big effort for the families to get over the label of homeless and an effort for the churches to house them."

The churches convert their religious education rooms into bedrooms and supply them with lamps, end tables, beds and bedding.

"The main thing is to give these families a safe place to rest, relax and repair," said Milner. "Most of them have been living in unsafe environments, doubling up with friends and family, sleeping in their cars or cheap motels. They’ve dealt with noise and environmental issues or the police knocking on their car windows telling them they have to move on from various parking lots. Many of them haven’t had stability, sufficient sleep, eaten properly, showered or washed their clothes for some time. The model is non-proselytizing, but it is a way for the churches to demonstrate their faith."

Family Promise provides a case worker to help the families find jobs and housing, Milner said. "We don’t allow folks who are on drugs and alcohol or those with untreated, undiagnosed mental illnesses; but if they are seeing a doctor and are on medication, that is fine. Our program is basically for families with children who are experiencing homelessness for the first time."

St. Catherine of Siena/Newman Center has been participating in Family Promise since it began in Utah as the Interfaith Hospitality Network. "Family Promise is such a marvelously run program, it is really no trouble having it here," said Dominican Father Carl Schlichte, pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena/Newman Center. "The only thing we have to do is schedule it during the summer or when religious education is not in session. It is something this parish community knows and we never have trouble getting volunteers. The families are so appreciative and grateful to be treated like people."

Tracy Lewis, St. Catherine Family Promise ministry coordinator, said the ministry requires about 100 volunteers during the week. "It takes that many people because we set up the third floor of the Newman Center like a miniature apartment to house up to 20 guests. We help them move in and move out because they carry all their belongings with them."

During the week parishioners prepare meals, serve dinner, are available for emergencies during the night, set up and clean up, Lewis said. The families are invited to participate in parish activities and also are given chores such as helping to clean up after meals and taking out the garbage.

"The families are not allowed to stay at any of the churches during the day," said Lewis. "They have to be up have breakfast, pack their lunch and be out by 8 a.m. There is a van that takes the children to school if the families don’t have their own transportation. Some parents work, while others look for jobs."

First Baptist Church used to be a Family Promise host but now partners with St. Catherine. "This is part of Christian mission and if it were me or one of my children, I would hope that someone would be there for us," said Kathy Felker, a First Baptist parishioner.

"It’s always hard for homeless families to have a leg up, and it’s also very hard to understand their plight and to help them without belittling them," said Gary Felker, also a First Baptist parishioner. "Nobody is homeless by choice, that’s why I help."

"Family Promise is a life-changing program," said Lewis. "It’s so rewarding when you see a family move out of the program because they found housing."