Catholic Charities Board to Dedicate My Sister's Place Women's Center

29 Oct 08 12:00 AM CDT

Catholic Charities Board of Trustees will dedicate My Sister’s Place Women’s Center (MSPWC) on Tuesday, November 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at 17 West Franklin Street. The newly renovated facility expands the services of My Sister’s Place into a comprehensive resource center for homeless women and their children. The building is located at the former site of Our Daily Bread, Catholic Charities hot meal program that is now located at Our Daily Bread Employment Center, the nation’s first comprehensive resource center for the poor.The renovation of the building was made possible through Catholic Charities’ Capital Campaign that ended December 31, 2006. The three-story building houses a day shelter, dining hall, children’s play area, educational spaces and classrooms, personal care areas, and case management offices.

“The creation of My Sister’s Place Women’s Center is the culmination of an effort that began 26 years ago when My Sister’s Place opened to provide assistance to women who literally had no other place to go,” says Catholic Charities Executive Director Harold A. Smith. “The women who come to us for assistance—who are often accompanied by their children—find that we offer a safe, warm, nurturing environment where they can rest and assess what their next move should be. This new center now provides the space and additional resources needed to equip these women on their journey to healing and self sufficiency.”

In addition to serving three daily meals, laundry and showering facilities, bus tokens, and clothing are provided. Outreach services include case management to address existing needs while establishing goals to achieve independence. Participants are given opportunities to increase their income, health and housing options through financial coaching, volunteering, referrals and self-development. As participants progress through the program, strategies to obtain sustainable housing and employment preparation are presented. After completing literacy and skills training, women begin an employment search through career services at Our Daily Bread Employment Center.

Volunteers are being sought to mentor clients, facilitate workshops and arts & crafts classes, start clubs, provide field trip opportunities, organize events and provide children’s programming. Five hundred volunteers are needed to prepare and serve the meals each month to sustain the meal program.

In 2007, My Sister’s Place assisted 1,116 women and children.

Families That Work program assists women in the third trimester of pregnancy gain career and life skills in addition to job placement after delivery.

To volunteer at MSPWC, call Jacki Reed at (410) 261-6762.

Catholic Charities is Maryland’s largest private provider of human services, giving assistance to children and families, the elderly, the poor and the developmentally disabled—without regard to religion, race or other circumstances.

More information about My Sister's Place Women's Center

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