December 2, 2008

Guest: Tom Ludwig, who works with the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter
Featured Saint of the Day: Bl. Rafal Chylinski

Today Deacon Rick and Jenny spoke with Tom Ludwig, who has been working with the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter since 1990 when it opened. This weekend's No Room at the Inn 2008, a fund raising reception and open house Friday, December 5 and Sunday, December 7, will benefit St. Joseph's Emergency Family Shelter.

Tom described the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter as a place where they are able to provide a safe and caring place for people who are homeless to get back on their feet, particularly those with children. The St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter is unique because it it accepts mothers and fathers with their children, as well as fathers with children and mothers with children. Most family shelters only accept women and their children.

The St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter is a house in the middle of a residential area, it's homey in that it has a living room, dining room and kitchen. The families who benefit from the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter have a maximum stay of 30 days, but extensions are made for those who are on the cusp of finding a new place. Families are admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter is always looking for donations, particularly of diapers and usable furniture, as well as phone cards, personal care items, and bus tokens.

Be sure to attend the Catholic Charities, No Room at the Inn this weekend to help support the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter. You can go to find the Catholic Charities Website here.