St. Vincent’s to Manage New La Mesa Seasonal Shelter
Need for Homeless Assistance in East County Answered

   SAN DIEGO — The La Mesa City Council voted yesterday in favor of implementing a seasonal shelter program for 75 to 100 children, family members, elderly women and disabled individuals that will be managed by St. Vincent de Paul Village in a building which was once home to the Grossmont Antiques Mart, located at 8379 Center Drive in La Mesa. The use of the building will be donated by owner Helen Anne Bunn.

   St. Vincent’s approached the city council about the temporary use of the building as a seasonal shelter last month in response to the growing need for homeless services in the East County. Village officials are making every effort to open the shelter before the Christmas holiday and today began moving furniture and other items into the La Mesa location. St. Vincent’s will continue providing food, shelter and referral services up to April 15, 2002.

   Fr. Joe Carroll, president of St. Vincent’s, recognizes the gravity of the homeless situation in East County.

   "No city or town is immune to homelessness," Fr. Joe says, "and it won’t go away if you ignore it. That said, the City of La Mesa made a very responsible decision to proactively participate in providing assistance to families with children, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities who are burdened by their current living situation."

   In addition to the La Mesa facility, St. Vincent’s will also manage the City of San Diego single adult seasonal shelter, a sprung shelter located at the corner of 16th Street and Newton Avenue in downtown San Diego, which will provide shelter for 60 women and 190 men. That facility may open as soon as Friday, Dec. 14 and will provide respite from the winter weather until March 15, 2002.

   For more information on the La Mesa or San Diego seasonal shelter programs, call (619) 525-1608.

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