RALEIGH, N.C. – Earlier this month, Mark Reamer blessed The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi‘s newly-established San Damiano Home, a group home on the church property. This home, which opened in January, is run by the Residential Social Services of Wake County.
Five developmentally-challenged women live in this “boarding home” which allows them to stay by themselves during the night and have some level of independence, said Gladys Whitehouse, the parish’s coordinator of Family Life Ministry and staff liaison to the home. A social worker is on call 24 hours a day.
Residents of the home either work at part-time jobs or attend classes at a nearby community college. They are provided with transportation.
At the Feb. 2 dedication, parishioners welcomed the residents to the community.
“We look forward to their participation in the activities at St. Francis,” said Donna Smith, the parish’s liturgy communications specialist.