De Mazenod Door Outreach Ministry adds Housing Support
St Patrick Church ministry partners with local investors to provide housing for Hamilton’s poor
Hamilton— October 14, 2020 — Today, the De Mazenod Door Outreach (DMDO) ministry announces a new housing initiative to help the poor and marginalized in inner-city Hamilton. With the help of local investors, the outreach ministry will now further its support for Hamilton’s most vulnerable, offering affordable housing and support to move people safely off the streets.
“Our goal is to help alleviate poverty in the heart of the city of Hamilton,” said Fr. Tony O’Dell, “There is simply no better way to do that than helping people in need secure a forever home.”
The first home dedicated to the initiative is named Eugene’s Place, in honor of St. Eugene De Mazenod, patron saint of the poor. It will provide accommodation for up to six individuals. There are currently already 4 tenants who will be calling Eugene’s Place their home. The house was purchased by philanthropists Garth and Lynette Brown. “We are all called to love our neighbours and share the gifts we are blessed with. This investment in homes is really an investment in people. Together we can build stronger, healthier communities with love and compassion.” shares Garth enthusiastically.
The housing initiative will also include an apartment named Eugene’s Pad, dedicated to helping landed immigrant families transition to a new and better life in Canada. The apartment will welcome its first guests this fall, a Filipino family eager to begin their life together in Hamilton.
More than just housing, the initiative will offer residents the necessary supports to ensure access to healthcare, education, employment, and social services. “We know that it will take much more than a roof over someone’s head,” says Sherri Rameriz, Outreach Coordinator for DMDO ministry. “We are committed to helping our tenants access the wraparound support in the community needed to keep them off the streets and secure in their home,” adds Ramirez.
With the homelessness crisis rising in Hamilton, the DMDO ministry is committed to expanding its housing initiative over time. Projects like these can only happen through the development and cultivation of intentional partnerships with community-minded individuals and organizations. We invite you to take a courageous step to support and share this important initiative to make a real and meaningful difference in our community. Contact parishoffice@stpatrickshamilton.ca for more information.
The official launch of this initiative will happen on Sunday, Oct 18, 2020 at 3 PM at St. Patrick Parish. Attendance to this event is by invitation only, however, it will be live-streamed via the St. Patrick Parish website (stpatrickshamilton.ca) and facebook page (fb.me/stpatrickshamilton)
Background
The De Mazenod Door offers sustenance to the poor and marginalized in inner-city Hamilton, providing food for the hungry and drink for the thirsty. The Door serves approximately 400 guests daily, 365 days a year.
The Outreach ministry was started by Father Tony O’Dell and Father Jarek Pachocki, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), soon after arriving in Hamilton in 2012 and setting up home at St. Patrick Church. Named De Mazenod Door after St. Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Oblates and the patron saint and intercessor for the poor.
“The door is the symbol of openness, welcome and hospitality,” said Fr. Tony. “and now with our Housing initiative, this door can lead someone into a home and a future filled with hope”
For more information
Contact: Fr. Tony O’Dell, OMI
Phone: 905.522.9828
Email: todell@hamiltondiocese.com
Address: 440 King Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 1C5
