Letter: Despite closure, assistance for homeless prevails

Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 | 9:05 a.m.

In June 2000 a handful of us started a water drop-off to a lineup of men awaiting entrance to our free shelter at Catholic Charities' Saint Vincent's Plaza. I had heard that two men died outside and felt a need to do something to help.

What began simply as an effort to save homeless men from heatstroke has expanded into a bi-monthly ministry where at least 100 local Catholic people take an interest in providing water, socks, sandwiches, underwear, blankets, caps, sweatshirts and other needed items.

I saw a need in 2000 to call attention to thirsty and weather-beaten men lined up to sleep on a thin mat. Before long Catholic Charities placed a large water jug outside the skimpy shelter.

Not to neglect the spiritual needs of these unshaven men in tattered clothing, I started saying Mass after the distribution, which continues every other Saturday for not only men on the streets, but women and children who are seeking refuge.

For the past seven months we have had no free shelter at Catholic Charities. The Fertitta Building used for this much-needed service has been shut since April 20. During the most severe heat of summer, and now the biting cold of near winter, many penniless men scurry about each night looking for a place to bed-down in a dark and often unsafe back alley or on a vacant field. Without doubt there will be some deaths this winter.

Our little group of volunteers has sent petitions to Catholic Charities and to the Catholic diocese of Las Vegas, and have even started a weekly Tuesday evening rosary outside the closed free shelter. No results yet!

If money were the issue, I would collect $100,000. But it seems there is a philosophical difference that compels the decision to keep the shelter closed.

We haven't lost hope that Catholic Charities will open its eyes and its closed free shelter. It's too cold and unsafe out there on the streets not to do so.

FATHER JOHN B. MCSHANE

Editor's note: Father John B. McShane is the chaplain for Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.