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New Homeless Center Brings Holiday Hope

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By ROD CHALLENGER of News Channel 8

Published: December 25, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - For more than 200 homeless people in Pinellas County, today's Christmas holiday was in marked contrast to last year.

The residents enjoyed a holiday breakfast served by volunteers at the new Project Hope, a new homeless center that looks like a tent city. Later, Santa's helpers brought gifts.

Hope, run by Catholic Charities,opened earlier this month on 126th Avenune. At one point, St. Petersburg police slashed and confiscated tents last year in the homeless enclaves in an effort to remove the homeless.

"The big major difference that I see is that we're welcome here. Catholic Charities has opened their arms to us and allowed us to come here to a less chaotic place," said Hope resident Tony Such.

Another resident, Charles Roach Jr., said the new homeless site seems to be nicer and more secure and there are more amenities for the people here.

Catholic Charities president Frank Murphy said volunteers, who are essential to Project Hope, are pitching in to help.

"The good news is that the meals are filling up and people are coming out serving meals and really enjoying it and actually coming back to do more," he said.

The goal of Project Hope is the eventually provide permanent homes for the 233 residents now living in the tents. In the encampment's first three weeks, social workers placed 10 people.

Tribune reporter Liz Bleau contributed to this report.

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