Catholic Diocese Tucson

CATHOLIC OUTLOOK 7 DECEMBER 2019 Homeless advocates unveil plans for Tucson care center By MICHAEL BROWN Managing Editor Community leaders, including Catholic Com- munity Services Executive Director Peg Har- mon, Congregation Or Chadash Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim and Bishop Edward J. Weisen- burger, opened a public fund-raising phase for a proposed Medical Respite Center for Homeless Men and Women. At an Oct. 30 evening reception for support- ers of the program, Rabbi Louchheim told a story about a group of villagers who provided food to Mexican migrants traveling north by train. “In the Jewish tradition, we are taught that human life has infinite value,” said Rabbi Louch- heim. “Do you think we could be as compassion- ate as they were?” More than 140 community leaders gathered at the Jewish Community Center for the event. One who missed the event was St. Joseph of Caron- delet Sister Adele O’Sullivan, who spearheaded a similar program in Phoenix in 2008. She was at her religious community’s motherhouse in California, sheltering in place because of a threat from local wildfires. Instead, St. Joseph Sister Irma Odabashian talked about Sister Adele’s decade-long effort to open the Circle the City center, including “putting money away in a shoebox.” She relayed some of Sister Adele’s lessons, including that “med management is near impos- sible” for the homeless, who might suffer from other maladies not related to surgery. Harmon noted that the center was the product of three years of study, including visiting similar facilities in other states and building a coalition of partners in Southern Arizona. A partner set to play a significant role is the El Rio Cherrybell Health Center, located on the same property as the proposed site near East 22nd Street and South Kino Parkway. Doctors and other medical professionals will be providing medical services and other follow-up care to the patients at the respite center. Nancy Johnson, chief executive officer of El Rio Health, applauded the integration of services, along with other community partners that will as- sist patients in finding a stable place to live once they are discharged. “The synergy of that model is just phenomenal.” Bishop emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas, one of the original forces behind the project, praised all the community leaders who worked together to bring the center to this point. “Tucson is a community that cares,” Bishop Kicanas said. “When you come together, you make the impossible, possible.” The center is expected to cost $5.2 million to build, of which $2.4 million had already been raised through private donations. Organizers are hoping to raise the rest quickly and break ground next spring, with the facility opening in February of 2021. Supporters can donate through healingtucson- homeless.org or by calling (520) 670-0816. Catholic Outlook photo by Michael Brown A guest registers at a public unveiling of the proposed Medical Respite Center for Homeless Men and Women Oct. 30 at the Jewish Community Center in Tucson. Catholic Community Services was among a group of sponsors spear- heading the drive to raise the $5.2 million cost of the building. Catholic Outlook photos by Michael Brown Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim, from Tucson Congregation Or Chadash, along with Bishop emeritus Gerald F. Kica- nas and Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger check their phones and pause before the formal program starts. Bishop Weisenburger offered the opening prayer and Rabbi Louchheim and Bishop Kicanas each spoke. At right, Salvato- rian Father William Remmel, a longtime advocate on behalf of the poor, shares a lighter moment at the event.