Letter: Homeless care is ongoing through charity

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

In the morning, they may find a day job through the Employment Services Center, also operated by Catholic Charities.

There is Catholic Charities Social Services, which helps the working poor in our community remain in their homes or apartments.

All in all, there is a continuum of care at St. Vincent Plaza for those wishing to end homelessness and who have a desire to return to society. Many individuals take advantage of this care.

There have been news reports recently about the homeless and the hot weather and the homeless and bathroom facilities.

At Catholic Charities St. Vincent Plaza there is a weather shelter complete with restroom facilities.

There are also restroom facilities in the Lied Dining Room, where some 1,500 meals are served to homeless men, women and children 365 days a year.

For the past year Clark County, the city of Las Vegas and the city of North Las Vegas provided $35,000 for another restroom facility to be operated overnight, with security.

The major argument cited at the start of the one-time grant was the need for an all-night facility.

Now Catholic Charities is about to begin steps to tear down the 50-year-old main structure at St. Vincent Plaza in preparation for constructing a new, safer facility for the homeless.

The charity did not seek another grant because of the impending demolition of that building. During the construction phase, one of the homeless programs will be housed in a large tent. There may also be a reduction in the number of beds available during construction.

All programs within St. Vincent will be temporarily housed in nearby structures but will continue to provide help to those in need.

ED SKONICKI

Executive director, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada