The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
MEALS PROVIDED
St. Elizabeth Center, volunteers bring Christmas dinner to all
People in the community and residents were enjoying Christmas meals on Dec. 25 provided by St. Elizabeth Center and its volunteers for all to come together with one another during the holiday season.
St. Elizabeth Center, 2726 Caroline Ave. in Lorain, opened in September as a men’s homeless shelter. The center is a combination of services offered by previous Lorain facilities: St. Joseph Overnight Shelter, 317 W. 15th St., and the Catholic Charities Family Center, 203 W. 8th St., a day shelter that served breakfast, lunch and has food pantry and social services.
Providing men with a place to sleep and families somewhere to
“Anything you hear from a negative can be changed from a positive. That’s what they do here.” — Rodney Mason, a resident staying in the St. Elizabeth Center’s shelter
share a meal on Christmas Day, the center welcomed all who wanted to celebrate at their annual Christmas dinner held at their new shelter for its first year, program director of St. Elizabeth Center Lynn Wrice-Head said.
Emergency and health services are provided by the center, as well as food and 50 beds for the men who need a place to sleep. The programs offer resources that can move people from where they are to more stability, and improve the status of their lives, Wrice-Head said.
In the past they helped and provided meals for many who live in the downtown Lorain area and throughout the community. However, things are still challenging with the new building, because some people need to overcome location and transportation barriers, she said.
With their first holiday dinner held on Thanksgiving, she said some people couldn’t make the dinner until later because they had to walk from far locations, but the meal eventually helped them. During their first Christmas dinner at their new facility, she said visitors arrived much sooner to eat and enjoy each other’s company.
The Christmas Day event started off with a concert performed by staff and volunteers who sang for guests and men who stay at the center. Some residents served guests’ meals, also. Wrice Head and her daughter provided gifts, treats and cards to give away during the dinner so visitors could form the feeling of hope on the Holidays, she said. Her family comes to help her and celebrate every year, too.
“This is the meaning of Christmas,” said Wrice Head. “This touches my heart, because for many, they look forward to this. This dinner is all they have.”
Whether guests live in the shelter or not, all who attend the Christmas dinner are considered family, she said. Many people who attend their annual dinners come because they don’t have family to spend the day with or are in need for a Christmas meal. She said many people appreciate spending time with others and celebrating the Holiday, treat the day as if they are with their true families, she said.
“Something we look at is giving something that is very small to someone to walk away and know it meant a lot to them,” she said. “It reminds me to be humble and thankful for what we have.”
Rodney Mason, a resident staying in the St. Elizabeth Center’s shelter for over a month said he came from a bad area in Cleveland and that St. Elizabeth provides him with great care. He said the staff of the center is wonderful and they take the time to get to know who each guest staying in the shelter is and understands their short-term and longterm goals. Staff also provides help with clothing, care and assists to their needs, he said.
“Anything you hear from a negative can be changed from a positive. That’s what they do here,” Mason said. “If you can abide rules and regulations here, you will be fine and they will work to help you. They do everything to help you here.”
Mason said he hopes to spend the remainder of his Holidays with his family in Elyria, but also thinks about the ones who can’t.
“This Christmas Dinner can give hope and love to people who don’t have families, have no hope or who are homeless during the time of the year,” Mason said. “This is a place where they can be warm, have food and feel love. It’s the meaning of love, hospitality and the spirit of hope to show that other people care and understand.”
“This Christmas Dinner can give hope and love to people who don’t have families, have no hope or who are homeless during the time of the year.”
— Rodney Mason, a resident staying in the St. Elizabeth Center’s shelter