The House of Peace reopens for indoor service
Reopening follows two years of curbside distributions
MILWAUKEE – Indoor services resumed today at the House of Peace for the first time since March 2020. Throughout the pandemic, services had shifted, with food pantry items distributed curbside, and the clothes closet operating from a garage. This included Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions when families were served through drive-ups and in a heated tent.
The Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic, a free legal aid clinic sponsored and staffed by the Marquette University Law School, has resumed on site as well, operating every Tuesday afternoon. Other partners had information booths for guests to learn about their programs, including Hunger Task Force, UWM School of Nursing, and Marquette University Law School. iCare sponsored a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic on re-opening day.
“We are pleased to re-open our indoor services so that our guests can visit the House of Peace in comfort, where they will find compassionate folks ready to serve them,” said Br. Robert Wotypka, OFM Cap., ministry director for Capuchin Community Services. “We still exercise caution for guests, volunteers and benefactors who visit the House of Peace, and especially advise visitors to wear a quality facemask.”
ABOUT CAPUCHIN COMMUNITY SERVICES
Capuchin Community Services, with two locations: Saint Ben's Community Meal and the House of Peace, serves people struggling with homelessness, poverty and food insecurity. www.CapuchinCommunityServices.org
ABOUT HOUSE OF PEACE:
House of Peace assists families and individuals in meeting spiritual, material and emotional needs. House of Peace helps families remain together while promoting self-sufficiency, providing food, clothing and pastoral care. In addition, the House of Peace is home to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Community Wellness Center – HOP and the Marquette University Volunteer Legal Clinic.
ABOUT SAINT BEN'S COMMUNITY MEAL:
Saint Ben's Community Meal is Milwaukee's longest running community meal, founded in 1970. Dozens of organizations (including faith communities, neighborhood groups and companies) provide hot, homemade dishes six days a week to everyone who comes, no questions asked. Other Saint Ben's programs are shower, laundry and barber services, and a winter Warming Center. The Ascension St. Ben's Free Clinic provides individualized preventive health care, and CCS partners with Saint Benedict the Moor parish to provide jail ministry.
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, following the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi. www.TheCapuchins.org
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SOURCE: Capuchin Community Services
