It may have been raining outside, but inside the newly renovated Catholic Charities Sr. Claudia Burke Center for Hope in Flint it was nothing but smiles as Bishop Boyea gave his blessing to the site. Catholic Charities CEO Vicky Schultz was surrounded by supporters and members of the Catholic Community of Flint as she welcomed everyone for an afternoon of celebration.
“This marks the beginning of a new path in our mission of service to this community. We have given more than 75 years of help and hope to the families of Flint, and now we can do even more to improve the quality of life for countless families in need,” according to Schultz. The 30,000-square-foot building offers a community closet, personal needs room, newly created showers and laundry facility, an updated Soup Kitchen and Warming Center/event area, while welcoming Hamilton Health Network mini clinic.
The facility, formerly St. Michael School, is located at the northern edge of downtown Flint. Named for Sr. Claudia Burke, a religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Representatives of the order traveled to Flint to be a part of the excitement and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building has received more than just a facelift, it is now ADA compliant on all three floors, accommodating 300-plus individuals for lunch, served 7 days a week; expanded donation and shopping areas in the Community. For information, call 810.265.7025; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.