Our Mother's House

New facility opens doors with dedication and blessing ceremony

 

Venice--Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities opened the doors to a third facility with a dedication and blessing ceremony. Bishop Frank Dewane, leader of the Diocese of Venice, officiated the event held at the new building located at 500 Venice Avenue.

 

“Our Mother’s House is about hope and choice,” said Program Director Joyce Scott to the many community partners and supporters in attendance. “When a mother makes the choice to better herself, she creates a brighter future for both she and her child.”

 

Our Mother’s House is a transitional, residential program that provides shelter and guidance for single mothers and their children who would otherwise be homeless. Children attend the on-site Early Head Start program while mothers are in school or working. While at the program, mothers work toward self-sufficiency and are required to attend life skills classes.

 

“When a mother leaves this program, she is fully prepared for the work force and her child is fully prepared for school,” said Scott. “The mothers come from dysfunctional situations and Our Mother’s House helps them to overcome those obstacles.”

 

Approximately 75% of the former residents of the program are known to be living independently. Scott said many have earned technical, associate, or bachelor degrees.

 

The new facility opened in part because Bishop Dewane was disheartened to learn there was a waiting list for Our Mother’s House. He noticed an apartment complex on Venice Avenue that was for sale and initiated the talks of expanding. After renovation and much support from the community, the new facility opened adding six new apartments available to area homeless mothers and their children.

 

After Bishop Dewane blessed the facility, several of the mothers, with their babies and toddlers in tow, took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The children held signs saying "Welcome New Mommies". The over 100 guests then toured the new apartments and enjoyed refreshments.

 

For more information about Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities, please call 941-485-6264 or visit www.ourmothershousedov.org.

 

 

Photos: Bishop Frank J. Dewane officiated the Dedication and Blessing Ceremony for the new Our Mother's House building.