The newspaper "La Gaceta de Salamanca" reports on an initiative launched by the Salamanca Consistory, Diocesan Caritas and the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, which consists of making the Residence of the Sacred Hearts available to families who, due to the crisis of the COVID-19, need a place of refuge. The place is located in Merced Avenue and it is where the Congregation, together with the sisters, is developing the Molokai project in collaboration with the diocesan Caritas.
Here is the text as it appeared in the newspaper:
"Through Caritas, a woman with a fifteen-month-old baby knocked on the door of the Salamanca Town Hall. She was on the street, without a roof over her head and thus unable to comply with the order of confinement. She informed the social services that she had arrived from the Balearic Islands months ago to stay at a friend's house, but she could no longer live there. The Councillor for Families, Ana Suárez, decided to activate a resource that the Council had already prepared, a "home" for families with children who were left homeless during this State of Alarm. Last Thursday, the doors of the residence of the Sacred Hearts community, (located in Avenida de la Merced and where the congregation is developing the Molokai project in collaboration with the diocesan organization), were opened for her and her baby.
Yesterday, just one day later, another woman with a ten year old child moved into the building. The forecast is that next week another one will arrive with two adolescent daughters, a case recommended by the Ave Maria Mother and Child Centre who asked the Consistory to help. The girls are already old enough for this residence for single mothers, so they will be given shelter in the house located in front of the bullring. These facilities have rooms with one, two and three beds with and without bathroom, kitchen and a garden. Daily food and clothing are provided and through the City Council's Childhood and Family team the mothers will be helped to socially will assist the mothers in their social and occupational reintegration.
It cannot be ruled out that in the coming weeks this facility will have to take in more parents with children, as the Social Services Department predicts. In view of the sharp drop in economic activity and the increase in unemployment, people with limited resources may be forced to leave their homes because they cannot afford to pay the rent".
04/20/2020