Print Issue: December 19, 2002

SVDP Home Celebrates First Year's Accomplishments

SVDP "House of Dreams" volunteers gathered recently to celebrate the Smyrna home's anniversary.

SMYRNA - The volunteers of the St. Vincent de Paul House of Dreams, joined by a former resident, recently got together at Scallini's Italian restaurant to celebrate the first anniversary of the home.

Last November, two St. Vincent de Paul Conferences (St. Thomas the Apostle, Smyrna, and St. Ann's, Marietta) partnered to open the SVDP House of Dreams, a temporary housing program for homeless women. In the past year, the House of Dreams has assisted 12 women ranging in ages from 21 to 66.

Operated solely by volunteers who serve as mentors, apartment inspectors, board members and budgeting teachers, the House of Dreams program is for homeless or near-homeless women who are single with no children in their care; do not use alcohol or drugs; are legal residents of the United States or are actively seeking permanent residency; and who are willing and able to work hard to change their own lives. The House of Dreams, one of six SVDP temporary housing programs, strives to provide homeless women the opportunity to take the necessary steps to change their own lives by providing them with a place to live and assistance to become self-reliant again. The financial contributions given to SVDP by parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle and St. Ann's support it.

If you would like to make a donation or would like more information on the SVDP House of Dreams, please contact Julie Pantoja, volunteer program coordinator, at (770) 432-4812 or mail your donation to SVDP House of Dreams, c/o St. Thomas the Apostle, 4300 Kings Springs Road, Smyrna, GA 30082.