Sophia - Melkite Eparchy of Newton

News from Around the EparchyServing Local Shelters for Over Two DecadesAnnunciation Cathedral – Roslindale, MAAAn outreach charitable activity atthe Annunciation Cathedralwas launched more than twentyyears ago by taking the Youth Group toa number of the Boston local soupkitchens and homeless shelters to helpout. Lazarus House, which had greatprograms and was associated with theMelkite Church, was inconvenient tovisit regularly because of the distance.Hence, the decision to limit this activitywithin the Boston based shelters.Some of the shelters had little in theway of regulations, and fights anddrunkenness were a way of life inthem. Their philosophy, provide ameal and a bed, did not match what theAnnunciation volunteers were tryingto achieve.The Shattuck Shelter’s philosophywas different: they strive to bring their“guests” back into society. Alcohol,drugs, or weapons are not allowed onthe premises. Even the slightest fightingis not tolerated. The program’soverseers provide a “recovery” program,where those sobering up after alife on the street are helped to stayclean, taught job skills, and helped inthe search for employment. Once theyheld a job, the homeless are providedwith a furnished apartment, rent freefor a period of six months.The Cathedral’s volunteers began byvisiting the Shattuck Shelter 2 or 3times a year. They would prepare a hot“homemade” meal in the churchkitchen, bring it to the shelter and serve150 – 200 adults’ guests. In the summertime a cookout, typically includinghamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, watermelon,and salad, followed by icecream, was organized.Primarily a Youth Group function atthe beginning, it did not take longbefore adults joined in the activity andsoon the volunteers were going to theShelter on a more regular basis. A differentparishioner would chair eachevent, and with a committee wouldselect the menu, shop, prepare themeal, ask for donations, and serve themeal. Generally at the end of the mealenough food was provided to fill theShelter’s refrigerators. Often, the collecteddonations exceeded the meal’scost, and the left over was put into thecharity account. Over 60 adult parishionersin addition to the Youth Group6 SOPHIA • Winter 2008participated in this activity, and the visitsbecame monthly or bimonthly.As time went by, the volunteers startedto help with other activities at the Shelter.Parishioners furnished several apartments.They helped with some of the jobtraining programs, provided toiletriesand other needed items at Christmas andother occasions. Drives also were organizedat different times to supply theShelter or guests what they needed.Among the meals’ coordinatorsKathy Haddad and Laila Zeinieh hadstayed the longest. Each coordinatorhas had a different emphasis. Laila, thecurrent coordinator with her committee,prepares dinner once a month, andputs on three cook outs every summer.These meals have become an eventthat is looked forward to at the shelter.Afew years ago, the Boston Schoolsmoved out of the Cathedral leavingbehind temporary modules. In lookingfor a new use for the school modules,the Shattuck Shelter was contacted toconsider putting a women’s shelter onsite in conjunction with the Shelter, thegreatest need they had at that time. Theoffer did not go through, but the helpdid not stop. Currently 35 batteredwomen living at the Shattuck Hospitalare among those helped by theAnnunciation volunteers. †Deacon John Moses, a parishioner of AnnuciationCathedral, contributed the above article.