When you’ve been serving the community for over 60 years, you come to know the needs, challenges, and struggles of your client base. You also come to know what brings hope and joy, and that’s why Camillus House not only provides housing that is critical to keeping 195+ families safe with a roof over their heads each night – through strategic clinical services, case management, referral networks, and community partners we also offer a myriad of services and programs to over 33,000 individuals and families annually.
Life skills including financial literacy workshops, counseling, and cooking classes educate families and individuals on how to live within their means. At Verde Gardens and Mother Seton Village permanent supportive housing located in Homestead we seek to build unity among the residents by supplementing these steady resources with relevant, cultural, and fun events and activities, such as a recent Black History Month Fair at Verde Gardens.
The celebration brought together members of the community for a day of food, fellowship, games, and talent. Together, with resource organizations like Amigos for Kids, Centro Campesino, and The Children’s Trust on deck Camillus House uplifted individuals and families who are experiencing hardship or other socioeconomic challenges.
Even more impressive was the talent show that showcased the remarkable skills of several of the children living in the community. One of the children, Lilliana, moved the crowd with her version of “Rise Up”. Katrina, Lilliana’s mother shared, “I am grateful for everything we have been given and glad to see my daughter feel secure enough to sing in public. It tells me I am in the right place to have all these people cheering for her.” The energy was palpable, and as Verde Gardens and Mother Seton neighbors got a taste of Black History through the performances of song and poetry, perhaps the real gift was that for at least one day, the community was empowered and got to forget all their worries.