Catholic Community Services celebrated the opening of the St. Monica Apartment complex on May 16, a project made possible by a dedicated capital campaign committee led by Honorary Chair Richard Kreitzberg and General Chair Glenda Anderson. The committee raised over $2 million to bring the project to fruition. Community members gathered to tour the facility and recognize partners who helped turn the blueprints into reality – safe, stable homes for vulnerable young mothers to nurture their children.
The complex features 10 units, as well as an on-site manager and mentor, and an Early Head-Start Center, which will offer parenting and child development services.
The complex is an expansion of the vision and legacy of Reverend Monsignor Charles Taaffe. Much loved for his work on behalf of young mothers and their babies, Father Taaffe is known for opening and overseeing a series of group foster homes that have provided a safe, nurturing environment for pregnant young women in crisis for the past 40 years. St. Monica is the patron saint of mothers.
Prior to his death in 2008, Father Taaffe requested that Catholic Community Services continue his work. Today, more than 70 young moms are served each year at the homes and through neighborhood outreach. The St. Monica Apartments fill a housing gap for young women who don’t need foster care, but lack a safe and affordable housing option. The program goal is for mothers to thrive and become financially self-sufficient and for their children to be healthy and kindergarten-ready.
Pictured left to right: Angela Sears, Mona Hayes, Mychal Cherry and Jim Seymour