|
REGULAR MEETINGNOVEMBER 14, 2005
<br />so much time and energy to care for others. He believes that the Catholic Worker Home
<br />is a place where that occurs everyday. He urged the Council to vote favorable on this bill
<br />tonight.
<br />Mr. Robert Kloska, 1121 N. St. Peter, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he enjoyed his
<br />visits with the Catholic Worker. On many occasions, he has taken ice cream over to
<br />share. Mr. Kloska advised that he knows of the Catholic Worker Home in Phoenix, and
<br />how well they were received in that area. The City of Phoenix has embraced their
<br />relationship with the Catholic Worker and is greatly appreciative of their work.
<br />Mr. John DeRieso, St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Indiana, advised that he loves to go
<br />over to the Catholic Worker Home, barbeque, and garden with the staff and guests. He
<br />read into the record a letter from Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President
<br />Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. He writes that he supports the Catholic
<br />Worker and the good work that they do, and is also someone who is grateful to them in a
<br />personal way. One of the nursing assistants, who care for him at Holy Cross House, is a
<br />great woman from Africa named Laura Kanyimbo, who was a resident of the Catholic
<br />Worker Home. Early last year, Laura, was days away from giving birth, already with
<br />twin three-year-old daughters to care for, and she had nowhere to go. What had started as
<br />her dream to receive and education in nursing here became increasingly difficult, and
<br />with no safety net and her world crumbling, and all housing options exhausted, when she
<br />went to the Catholic Worker House. They took her in, she had a baby girl two days later,
<br />and Laura and he family stayed for six months. During this time, Laura was able to get
<br />back on her feet. She went back to school for training as a Certified Nursing Assistance
<br />and (with the help of people at the Catholic Worker) goes a job at Holy Cross House.
<br />Now Laura cares for me and with a lot of skills and compassion. This is not a letter from
<br />a president emeritus of a large university. This is a note from someone who is grateful
<br />that this fine woman who cares so well for me was given hospitality by the good people
<br />at the Catholic Worker. Rev. Hesburgh stated that he knew Dorothy Day, the founder of
<br />the Catholic Worker. She was a good, tough woman. She knew that it is not always
<br />popular work to take in the poor. However, it is good work and it needs to be done. The
<br />Lord clearly told us; “The poor you will always have with you,” and caring for them is
<br />not passing the buck but taking personal responsibility. That’s what the Catholic Worker
<br />house does. A lot of people have stereotypes about the poor, as if they’re not fully
<br />human. But when people do that, they are talking about women like Laura. She now has
<br />a good job, caring for fellow priests, she has her own home, and her daughters are
<br />thriving. If the Catholic Worker hadn’t been there, though, she would have given birth
<br />with nowhere to go, no room at the inn. Thank God, there was room.
<br />Mr. Tom Broden, 201 W. Northshore Drive, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is a
<br />member of the United Religious Community (URC) Taskforce on Homelessness. This
<br />organization has now become the Homeless Center located at 813 N. Michigan Street.
<br />Mr. Broden stated that there is a great need for caring for the homeless in the Michiana
<br />Area. The Catholic Worker is providing this caring idea on a much smaller scale. The
<br />idea of a home environment versus an institution is much more effective. Mr. Broden
<br />stated that the good work of the Catholic Worker along with their stable presence in the
<br />neighborhood would be a great asset to the City of South Bend.
<br />There was no one else present wishing to speak in favor of this bill.
<br />The following individuals spoke in opposition to this bill.
<br />Mr. Joseph Karanja, 1002 W. Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana stated that he
<br />strongly opposes the Catholic Worker House. This is a classic example of a homeless
<br />shelter. The West Washington Area has been rezoned over the years to allow for single-
<br />family residence. Mr. Karanja stated that the Catholic Worker should have check the
<br />zoning before they purchased the home.
<br />14
<br />
<br />
|