A mass and a meal brought neighbors and volunteers together for Christmas.
SAN ANTONIO — Coming home for Christmas is a dream many people share but for those who have been homeless for a long time, it’s a dream that has seemed out of reach until now.
Christmas Eve morning for the first time ever, senior citizens, the disabled and veterans who have been on the streets for years celebrated a great gift, a Mass and a festive meal in their new forever home.
It’s called Towne Twin Village and new residents and the volunteers who are helping them lead healthier lives joined together to share comfort and joy for the holiday.
Smiling broadly, Father John Markey said “We’ve been gathering for Mass for 37 years at the old house, in the middle of horrible weather, outside, with everyone living outside.”
Markey and so many others remember well the years they spent at the original Catholic Worker House on Nolan Street, in a 1930s home on a small lot where everyone struggled to meet the needs of a vulnerable population.
For years the group has been serving senior citizens, many of whom are veterans or disabled and all have experienced long periods of homelessness.
“This is our first year here, under a cover and gathered with the people who live with us now!” Markey joyously exclaimed.”This is an answer to our prayers and our only prayer left is that we get this for every person in San Antonio that needs a home.”
Especially during the winter cold, Markey said, safe shelter is essential. “Home is what makes us human. It it is what we need,” he said.
“It gives us the most basic level of human dignity, and this is not just a dream, it’s what justice is. It’s what the whole point is. It’s what a just society looks like is something like this little village, and we need more of it,” Markey said.
Isabel, who enjoys the fellowship of the village, agrees.
“This is luxury! And we love it because I like to meet people and say ‘Hi, how you doing?'” Isabel said, while adding the experience is almost overwhelming. “It’s beautiful!”
Roque agrees that the new facility is a world away from where they came from and a safe haven for those who need it most.
“It’s better than being in the street. You never know. You might not survive the next day,” Roque said.
Looking back in time Markey says “We started this with $58 dollars. The budget in the first year of operations was $65,000 and that was 13 years ago and it’s grown from that into this, a $32 million project.”
Comparing the investment to the cost of human suffering, Markey said San Antonio needs to do more to provide for the 20,000 or so people who lack safe, affordable shelter.
Of the move to develop more projects like the village, Markey said “It changes their lives. It changes our life as a community and society.”
The group’s website details how they provide a secure, beautiful environment with more than 200 Permanent Supportive Housing units. In addition to shelter, there are additional services available on site and VIA bus service right outside the gates, making the campus easily accessible.
Residents do pay rent but the payments are capped at no more than 40% of a resident’s income.
The leadership team said the project is made possible by volunteers who generously donate time, talent and treasure.
More information about how to support the effort is available here or by calling 210-361-4322.