An initiative to help those living on the streets of Rochester stay warm during the cold winter
months is getting a boost from the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Collection boxes
have been set up at the Motherhouse for Sisters and friends to donate mittens,
gloves, scarves, hats and socks. Each week Sister Mary Ann Sliwa collects the winter
apparel from the boxes and organizes the items into bags, detailing what is in
each bag. The bags are then picked up by Sister Beth LeValley for distribution
to those in need.
The initiative is part
of Rochester’s Homeless Outreach program in which RPD Captain Gabriel Person has
called together people from a variety of service agencies to help provide
resources for the homeless. Sister Beth is among a team of people who walk the
streets every Thursday from 10:00AM to 1:00PM asking those they encounter if
they are in need of housing, healthcare, food, clothing, etc.
“If the answer is
affirmative, the appropriate member of the team gives them referrals or
responds immediately to crisis situations,” said Sister Beth. “I cannot say
enough about the quality and degree of service that people are now receiving as
a result of this program.”
If you are interested
in contributing to the program by donating mittens, gloves, scarves, hats and
socks, a collection box is available by the Motherhouse Receptionist Desk.