The Vincentian Family Homeless Alliance ambassadors work in a wide range of projects all over the world supporting homeless people. Father Luis Camarena, CM, describes the work being carried out in Guatemala City, at the “I was a stranger” shelter.

As a result of the commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism in Guatemala, and as part of the 2017 Vincentian Week, a temporary home called “I Was a Stranger” was created in Saint Vincent de Paul parish in Guatemala City. Located in zone 7 of the city, the temporary home shelters people living on the streets, especially alcoholics, migrants and people who have nowhere else to sleep.

In December 2017, the shelter started in one of the parish halls, which has been refurbished little by little as decently as possible. The shelter has a capacity for 25-30 people. Also, and as part of the same project, in January 2018 we opened the parish soup kitchen, where between 30 to 50 homeless people are able to sit down and eat a meal every day.

The goal of the shelter is to help people to return to society, to their homes and also, to return to some form of work. Above all, we attempt to support these people so that they can affirm their humanness and recognize that they are valued members of society.

This process is accompanied by therapy, medicines and psychological and spiritual support. The parish community members keep the project going, and we also receive some external donations.

Father Luis Camarena Poveda, CM, Vincentian Family Homeless Alliance Ambassador
Source: https://vfhomelessalliance.org/