Homeless men given new lease on life through Catholic programs

Published: 2006-04-20

CARLSBAD, Calif. (CNS) -- The plight of homeless men is a top priority for two Catholic Charities shelters in Southern California: La Posada de Guadalupe in Carlsbad and Our Lady of Guadalupe Shelter in Calexico. "The mission and vision of Catholic Charities is to provide the best we can for every man," said Edgardo Preciado, department director of Homeless Men's Services for Catholic Charities in the San Diego Diocese. "We don't know who we are going to house here. You never know when you're going to house angels here, or your brother or your father. We just provide the best we can, for God." Across the country, in Salisbury, Md., the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary and about 50 volunteers operate under a similar premise in helping homeless men reclaim their lives at Joseph House Workshop. The program, which began last year, provides shelter and job-training skills for men. The length of time the men participate in the program varies. For some it may take up to two years.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .