Coming Together to Take Care of the Poorest Seniors in our Community!

Our Congregation at St. Paul’s often comes together. We share in the wondrous services, we join in celebrating each other, and we join in the easing of sorrow. We always are giving of our Spiritual Gifts. In the month of September we have been given the opportunity to share our gifts with some of the neediest Seniors in San Diego.

St. Paul’s Senior Homes has asked for our assistance in furnishing 11 apartments for their PACE participants. PACE is the “Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly”. The objective is to provide stable, affordable housing linked with coordinated care for very low-income, high-needs PACE participants who are living in sub-standard housing or at risk of homelessness. The housing is provided in partnership with the San Diego Housing Commission at the Parker-Kier Apartment building, located near the downtown PACE location. One floor (comprised of 11 apartment units) of this 3-story renovated historical building is dedicated to PACE participants. Each tenant will have a studio or 1-bedroom apartment which includes a kitchen and private bathroom, offered at 30% of their income. In contrast, many participants currently pay up to 50% of their income for sub-standard housing.

The Cathedral is suggesting that an individual, a family, a Ministry, or any group of individuals come together and provide the household items requested for one apartment. The cost will be approximately $300. At this point we have 3 apartments assigned.

You can receive a list of the items after the services on Sept. 8th and 15th or at hoppenrathv@stpaulcathedral.org. St. Paul’s Senior Homes is asking that the items be available by September 23rd. Those who purchase the items will be able to take them to one of the apartments to store them before the furniture is in. Then in early October we will be able to return to the apartment and “decorate” it with the items we have purchased. Of course, this is optional. Imagine, after not having anything new or clean for a very long time, the joy of entering your newly renovated, newly furnished apartment for the first time.

If you decide to purchase the household items for an apartment or have questions, please email Vicki Hoppenrath, Time and Talent Coordinator, at hoppenrathv@stpaulcathedral.org. We need to keep track of how many apartments are have been assigned.

The Very Reverend Rebecca McLain