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Answering Pope Francis’ Call to Serve People at the Margins of Society Catholic Charities Opens Shower and Laundry Facilities for Chicago Homeless

The facilities which will supplement the supper and clothing donation programs at 721 N. LaSalle, which will be dedicated Today, June 18 at 11 a.m.; news conference to be held at 10:30 a.m.

Chicago, IL (June 18, 2018) – Following the example of Pope Francis who has opened a shower room and laundry facility for the homeless in Rome, Catholic Charities has built a shower and laundry facility at 721 N. LaSalle in Chicago. The facility, which also includes a clothing donation closet, is in the agency’s headquarters, where more than 1,000 meals a week are served to the homeless. The new facilities will be dedicated to the people of Chicago during a prayer service and blessing today at 11 a.m. Monsignor Michael Boland, president of Catholic Charities, will host a news conference at 10:30 a.m. this morning to discuss Catholic Charities work in the heart of Chicago.

 

“As part of our agency’s 100th anniversary celebration, it was important for us to expand our efforts in the city by providing these needed services for the homeless in Chicago,” said Monsignor Boland. “I join Pope Francis in praying that other cities begin to provide similar offerings as a sign of compassion for those on the margins of our communities.”

 

For more than 17 years, the St. Vincent Center, Catholic Charities’ headquarters in Chicago, has been home to an evening supper program that serves sit-down dinners and to-go meals to more than 250 individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In addition to the opportunity to take a shower, the homeless will receive a towel, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, and a change of clothes. Intake for the showers will be conducted during the supper program on Tuesday nights. Guests will sign-up for a 30-minute slot, for the following day, on a first come, first served basis. Guests will also be able to use the laundry services to wash and dry their clothes and bedding.

In addition to the showers and laundry room, Catholic Charities received a gift of an upgraded, state-of-the-art kitchen complete with warming drawers, ovens, stoves, industrial size sinks and large prep and storage areas. The previous kitchen facilities were decades old. The new kitchen, designed and donated from famed kitchen designer Mick De Giulio, will be used to prepare meals for the supper program.

Following the prayer service this morning, the facility will be blessed by Monsignor Boland and re-dedicated to the people of Chicago. Tours will also be available.

Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities. Each year the agency assists one million people in Cook and Lake Counties. For more information, please visit www.catholiccharities.net.