Pinellas Hope, a homeless shelter for adults located in Clearwater, is drawing attention to the plight of the homeless of Pinellas County during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week by hosting an Open House on Friday, November 16^th.

While progress has been made to reduce homelessness both locally and nationally, it is still a serious problem. Pinellas Hope was created to address the problem in 2007 by Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg on land donated by the Diocese. Since then, Pinellas Hope has served nearly 10,000 men and women with over 5,000 returned to permanent, stable housing.

As Bishop Parkes stated prior to last year’s 10^th anniversary, “We have much darkness in our world and our community. Pinellas Hope is one of the many bright lights providing care for the poor and marginalized as we strive to bring the Lord’s love, mercy, and compassionate presence to others.”

WHAT:             Learn about local homelessness and how Pinellas Hope is working to return the homeless of Pinellas County to the path of self-sufficiency. (Camp Tours offered)

WHERE:           Pinellas Hope, 5726 126th Ave. N., Clearwater, FL 33760

WHEN:             Friday, November 16, 2018, 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon

About National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: The dates this year are November 10-18 and this is an annual program where people come together across the country to draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. Participating groups spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising, and advocacy events.

About Catholic Charities: Since 1945, Catholic Charities has provided social services aimed at supporting and preserving families and promoting self-sufficiency and social justice. As an accredited agency, Catholic Charities is a non-profit leader in serving the poor and vulnerable within Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Under the auspices of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, it operates three broad umbrella Ministries of Mercy: Foundations of Life, Shelters of Hope, and Friends in Need. Over 15,100 individuals were served last year with assistance including but not limited to: food (over 200,000 meals), clothing, emergency shelter, affordable housing for the elderly, low income, farmworker families, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS and other disabilities, respite care and medical screening, immigration and refugee services, pregnancy and adoption services, and disaster relief. Learn more at www.ccdosp.org/.

About Pinellas Hope: Pinellas Hope, a shelter ministry of Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg opened in December 2007 to address the need to provide the homeless with temporary shelter. What began as a pilot program has assisted over 9,000 men and women with temporary, emergency shelter, food, clothes, and a comprehensive array of related service (e.g., medical, education) offered in partnership with many private and public groups, returning nearly 5,000 to stable, permanent housing. Additional information is available at  www.pinellashope.org.

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