If you aren’t looking specifically for the Peter Claver Catholic Worker at 430 Jefferson St. chances are you’ll miss it. But the caring, consistent presence it provides for the poor and homeless, as well as the services it offers for children and families, are an integral part of the Ludlow neighborhood. One of the more interesting aspects of the Catholic Worker is its structure. The community has two “houses of hospitality” in which a number of individuals (often in need of more than just shelter themselves) can live rent-free, as long as they maintain steady employment and help out with the non-profit’s various charitable activities.
Catholic Worker provides an after-school program, clothing distribution and daily meal services to Ludlow residents. Proud to point out that they have never had to turn away anyone who stops by for food, volunteers say the Catholic Worker program is known to regularly distribute extra loaves of bread to disadvantaged residents throughout the neighborhood.
The Catholic Worker also offers a summer youth program focused on keeping children engaged in learning. While in the past the group has arranged a number of field trips to spots around the city, this year volunteers say they plan to stay put. They will organize a number of activities to help kids see what’s good about the local Ludlow community instead. More than anything, the volunteers agree that they want the children to be proud of where they live.
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Megan Linkfield and Sandra Rollins, group 40, Ludlow
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