News

Volunteers Cook for Families at Saint Rocco’s Residence

NEWARK, N.J. (April 27, 2006) — Saint Rocco’s Family Residence, a homeless shelter operated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, recently hosted a group of volunteers who prepared a gourmet dinner for the facility’s residents.

Henry J. Amoroso, president and CEO of Catholic Health and Human Services Corporation (CHHS), which manages the operations Catholic Charities and its social-service and health-care affiliates, led the volunteers in preparing and serving seasoned chicken, potatoes, carrots, and corn on the cob. Salad and homemade garlic bread completed the menu.

Saint Rocco’s Family Residence, which houses single women with children and has the capacity for 60 people, is located in Newark. In addition to housing, the shelter offers residents support programs, parenting and life-skills training, and referrals to health-care and counseling services. There is even a homework room, with staff available to assist children with their studies.

After dinner, the families enjoyed eating ice cream, singing songs, and telling stories. Shirley, who lives at the shelter with her two young sons, called the meal a rare treat. “At the residence, we are responsible for cooking our own meals each day,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have a break and just enjoy an evening with my children.”

In the weeks ahead, CHHS senior management will be planning similar volunteer dinners and social activities at other Catholic Charities shelters, including St. Lucy’s Shelter, St. Jude’s Oasis, Canaan House, and Edna McLaughlin Residence in Jersey City, and Sunrise House and the Ironbound Emergency Shelter in Newark.

Serving northern New Jersey for more than a century, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark operates programs throughout Essex, Hudson, Union, and Bergen counties. The agency shelters men, women, and children without homes; counsels families in crisis; provides day care and socialization activities for older adults; builds families through adoption; teaches job skills; educates students with special needs; helps people with HIV/AIDS; and assists “the stranger among us” through programs for immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking. More information is available online at www.ccnewark.org. The agency is affiliated with Catholic Health and Human Services Corporation and supports the mission of the Archdiocese of Newark.

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Catholic Charities is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).