A transformative project aimed at providing a sense of community and security to 271 women at Samaritan House 48th reached the finish line last month. The project, featuring innovative private spaces known as domes, stands as a pioneering endeavor, one of the first of its kind in the country. These meticulously crafted domes were conceptualized and built to offer a more dignified living environment for individuals seeking refuge and support within the congregate shelter space.
To celebrate the final installation of the domes, the Catholic Charities team invited the community to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing late last month. Father Barnabas, chaplain of Catholic Charities of Denver, prayed and sprinkled holy water over the 70 new domes to prepare them for participants.
Jeff Kositsky, deputy director of homelessness resolution and housing stability at HOST, emphasized the profound impact of the project.
“These domes are more than just walls; they are containers for humanity. They offer each person a chance to have a place to call their own, even if only for a little while,” he said. Kositsky’s sentiment underscores our Catholic values of serving the vulnerable across Northern Colorado with love and respect, creating pathways out of poverty.
Carole Chambers is one of the recipients of these domes.
“You know, I have a sense of privacy now. You have a place to store your belongings. I have a place to store my belongings. I have an outlet to plug in my phone and medical equipment. We also have a place to put our wheelchairs. It’s almost like a little tiny home, which is my dream home by the way,” Chambers said.
The completion of this project represents a significant milestone at Catholic Charities to provide compassionate and effective support to the whole person. The design and construction of the domes reflect a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and security, which in turn makes the participants feel a little more at home. In a recent survey done at Samaritan House, conflicts are down 60% because of the domes. These essential elements are a small step in the journey towards stability and empowerment for the residents of our entire Samaritan House community.
