“We are here to bless this building, but we must also pray for those will minister here and those who will seek help here,” said Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost during the blessing and dedication of the new St. Augustine Family Center in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.
The new family center, which opens on May 18, was blessed by the bishop on May 13. Operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, it is located at 2346 W. 14th St., about a block away from St. Augustine Parish. Catholic Charities officials said it will continue more than 50 years of service in Tremont while expanding its capacity to meet growing needs.
(See photo gallery above.)
St. Augustine Family Center will increase the ability to respond to food insecurity and meet financial instability in the neighborhood by expanding the kitchen to serve more meals daily, provide a larger, more welcoming dining space, improve accessibility for individuals and families and connect clients to additional services in one location.
Services available beginning May 18 are two hot meals daily, food pantry services and emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities. In addition, clients will have direct access to other Catholic Charities programs housed at the site, including Disability Services and Ministries, Jobs and Career Training programs and behavioral health/counseling services. By bringing multiple programs under one roof, the center enables a more coordinated approach to care, helping people move from immediate assistance to longer-term stability, officials said.
Catholic Charities officials said they will continue their relationship with St. Augustine Parish, maintaining the strong relationship that has defined the hunger center for decades. The new name reflects an expanded mission to serve the whole community and family while honoring the center’s legacy in Tremont.
During the blessing and dedication ceremony, Bishop Woost reminded the attendees that we are told in Scriptures that “As followers of Jesus, we are called to live the Gospel message … Our love must spill out so people recognize you as living the Gospel by your love and care for others … We are being built into a spiritual building, a place where God dwells,” he added.
The bishop blessed crucifixes that will be hung on walls throughout the building. He also sprinkled holy water and offered a blessing in the dining area before walking throughout the new family center and sprinkling/blessing the offices and other spaces.
“This new space allows us to deepen our commitment to the Tremont community,” said Malorie Phillips, Catholic Charities’ chief strategy and external affairs officer. “We are not only increasing access to meals and essential services, but we are also creating a place where individuals and families can connect to broader support that helps stabilize and strengthen their lives.”
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland is one of Northeast Ohio’s largest health and human services nonprofit organizations. It serves people of all races and religions in the eight counties of the diocese.