Capuchins seek donations to furnish the new St. Anthony apartments for homeless people

Renovation of the historic St. Anthony Hospital downtown into 59 apartments for homeless and low-income individuals and families is nearing completion. The first tenants are expected to move in by year’s end. Because residents lack the resources to furnish their new apartments, Capuchin Community Services is asking individuals, businesses, schools and churches to help supply new, unused household items such as kitchen utensils, plates, cups, laundry baskets, toasters, shower curtains, bathroom rugs, cleaning supplies and similar items. These items will help ensure residents are comfortable in their new homes.

Community members wishing to donate items may do so by visiting www.capuchincommunityservices.org/stanthony, where donors can select items to donate from an online gift registry. Donors may also contribute to a GoFundMe campaign.

“In welcoming and talking with guests at our Capuchin Community Services - St. Ben’s Community Meal site, we’ve heard how a shortage of affordable housing has been a major factor driving poverty in Milwaukee,” said Br. Rob Roemer, OFM Cap, executive director of Capuchin Community Services. “Rehabbing St. Anthony Hospital into 59 apartments gets to the heart of our Capuchin Franciscan mission of promoting justice for all creation by working to address the affordable housing shortage affecting many of our sisters and brothers.”

St. Anthony Apartments are developed and managed by Chicago-based Heartland Housing. JusticePoint will be partnering with Heartland Housing in order to provide supportive services to those living in the 59 apartments. In addition, Capuchin Community Services will be supporting other Milwaukee community members in new facilities located within the renovated property. Services will include a new clinic, a warming area for those taking part in community meals at St. Ben’s, showers, laundry facilities, computer access and other services for those experiencing homelessness in our community.

ABOUT CAPUCHIN COMMUNITY SERVICES
Capuchin Community Services, with two locations: St. Ben’s Community Meal and the House of Peace, serves people who are poor, hungry, or homeless. www.CapuchinCommunityServices.org

ABOUT HOUSE OF PEACE: House of Peace assists families and individuals in meeting their spiritual, material and emotional needs. House of Peace helps families remain together while promoting self-sufficiency. It provides food, clothing and pastoral care to the poor. In addition, House of Peace is home to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Community Nursing Center and Marquette University Legal Clinic.

ABOUT ST. BEN’S COMMUNITY MEAL: St. Bens Community Meal has been Milwaukee’s largest regular potluck dinner since 1970. Dozens of organizations (including churches, temples, and mosques) provide hot, homemade dishes six days a week to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Over 2,000 meals are served each week. Additional ministries include Columbia-St. Mary’s St. Ben’s Clinic that provides prevention-focused health care to those who can’t afford it, as well as St. Benedict the Moor Parish and jail ministry. All ministries are located at 9th and State Streets.

Capuchin Community Services is part of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, headquartered in Detroit, and part of the worldwide Roman Catholic order of Friars Minor, Capuchin. www.TheCapuchins.org

ABOUT HEARTLAND ALLIANCE
Heartland Alliance, one of the world’s leading anti-poverty organizations, works in communities in the U.S. and abroad to serve those who are homeless, living in poverty, or seeking safety. It provides a comprehensive array of services in the areas of health, housing, jobs and justice – and leads state and national policy efforts targeting lasting change for individuals and society. www.heartlandalliance.org.

ABOUT HEARTLAND HOUSING Heartland Housing, Inc., a subsidiary of Heartland Alliance, is a community housing development organization which facilitates the development of people through the preservation and creation of affordable and supportive housing, with a priority in meeting the needs of those facing homelessness, those with very low-income, and those with chronic disabilities. www.heartlandhousing.org.

ABOUT JUSTICEPOINT JusticePoint, Inc., a subsidiary of The Difference Principle, Inc., is a nonprofit organization with a commitment to social justice and equity. With an emphasis on the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed programs, policies, and practices, JusticePoint provides a wide array of behavioral health, case management, supervision, prevention, and intervention services to adults and youth in a growing number of jurisdictions throughout the Midwest. www.justicepoint.org