The McAuley Corporation
McAuley
House
An outreach center and meal site located in the Elmwood section of Providence. McAuley House services the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as advocacy and referrals for housing, medical assistance and job placement. The homeless receive assistance through shelter vouchers and the uninsured receive health care assistance in the form of prescription vouchers.
"Meeting the needs of the times!" This is the legacy and the challenge that Catherine McAuley left to the religious order she founded in Dublin: the Sisters of Mercy. Through the centuries Mercy Sisters have succeeded in doing this in different and successful ways. McAuley House, which opened in Providence in 1975, was a response to the needs of the times.
The idea of a "McAuley House" came to a group of sisters, members of the Social Action Conference of Mercy, during the early 1970s. A house was rented at 79 Gallup Street and Sister Eileen Murphy was appointed the first director.
Her original three-fold philosophy is still in effect today:
to feed, clothe, and care for the poor;
- to pray and fast that the Spirit enlighten the ministry at the house; and
- to challenge those in society to share with their needy brothers and sisters.
Carrying out this purpose means that the needs of the poor are the primary concern, and the running of the house is conducted with these services in mind. The resources at and donated to the house belong to the poor for whom the house exists.
The word that best describes the purpose of McAuley House is "hospitality." People are welcomed because each person is worthy of respect and attention.
Many happenings took place the first two years of McAuley House's operation. In the spring of 1976, the first passenger van was purchased so people could be picked up downtown and brought to the house for a hot meal. The year Sister Eileen resigned, Sister Theresa Beaudreau was appointed second director and Sister Eleanor Rock assistant director.
As the number of men and women who came to McAuley House grew, the need for a larger house became evident. On June 7, 1977, a "new" McAuley House at 163 Niagara Street was purchased. It was officially opened on November 8, 1977. Many sisters and others helped provide the needed services, and Gladys Hall is still working hard at feeding the hungry.
In 1981 Sister Elizabeth Morancy joined the house staff and initiated a part time ministry. At the same time, Sister Wilma Miley joined as part of her ministry based at Our Lady of Mercy in East Greenwich.
In 1982 Sister Joan Rokicki was welcomed as an outreach worker. By 1983 a new need of the time became apparent because de-institutionalization was occurring throughout the state. Sadly, people who were in need of supportive services were often left to manage on their own. For this reason McAuley Community House, located at 45-47 Farragut Avenue, was established. Sister Joan Rokicki was appointed director and house manager.
Sister Dolores Crowley was appointed third director of McAuley House in 1986. A few months later, Sister Mary Crowley (no relation to Sister Dolores!) realized (as in the days of Catherine) that women were in need of a safe place to live, job training, and parenting skills. At the same time, child care services were necessary. On June 20, 1990, McAuley Village, a 23-unit apartment house for women and children in transition, opened at 325 Niagara Street. Sister Antonia Tognetti was appointed first administrator and was followed by Nancy Carignan in 1992. Again the needs of the time were being met. Sister Maris Stella Laliberte became administrator at McAuley House and Sister Dolores was named executive director of The McAuley Corporation. In 1993 Sister Marie Therese, a sister of St. Chretiene, joined the staff to assist with the growing needs.
The make-up of the people who visit McAuley House has changed since the 1970s. Today, if you were to visit, you might see many women with their children and many hispanic people at the noon meal. Numbers have also grown. Between 250-350 people come each day. The struggle to meet so many needs for food, clothing, prescription money, and rental assistance continues. Always dependent on the generosity of the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, our appreciation knows no boundaries.
We are grateful for the number of McAuley House volunteers. These men and women of every age and place all have joyous and dedicated spirits. Without them, McAuley House could not exist.