Immaculate Conception Social Outreaches

The Harry Tompson Center (Homeless Shelter)

The Harry Tompson Center is part of The Rebuild Center, a new center located at 1803 Gravier Street behind St. Joseph Church. The center provides needed services to the homeless in the downtown area and was built specifically to meet their personal needs by offering shower facilities, washers and dryers, a location for receiving mail, counselors and attorneys for those seeking advice and much more. To bring some beauty into the troubled lives of these men and women, a muralist from Martha’s Vineyard created an 8’ x 24’ mural that depicts biblical scenes involving water and is a beautiful representation of waters that move from chaos to calm. The mural is located at the entrance to the new facility and welcomes all that enter. Other artwork represents the three religious orders integral to the founding of this new facility: the Jesuits, the Vincentians and the Presentation Sisters. Visit their website.

The Good Shepherd Nativity School

In January 2006, The Good Shepherd School reopened with approximately 32 students and five teachers serving in multi-grade classrooms. Today the school functions at full capacity with six grades and 75 students. The staff has expanded significantly since the school reopened a year ago. Currently Good Shepherd has seven full-time teachers. Two full-time Jesuit Volunteers and two Daughters of Charity work in various capacities as part of the staff. In November, Fr. Tony Rauschuber, S.J., was appointed assistant principal in addition to his duties as religion teacher. Karen Ranatza remains the school principal, in her fourth year at the helm. The school owes her a great debt of gratitude for her efforts in reopening the school after the chaos of the storm. Visit their website.

Saint Vincent de Paul Society

Our Saint Vincent de Paul Conference assists individuals and families with either rent or utility needs. At Thanksgiving we distribute baskets. Currently, there are eleven St. Vincent de Paul volunteers making home visits and/or handling initial intake at the Jesuit rectory. These volunteers focus primarily on those who live in the Uptown and Mid-City areas of the city. Additional volunteers and material assistance are welcome in these efforts.

Café Reconcile (St. Regis Hospitality School/Construction Program)

Café Reconcile has reorganized its kitchen and expanded its menu to pre-Katrina status. Even more importantly, it has expanded its outreach to the community in Central City. Not only is the Hospitality School in full swing, having trained three classes since Katrina, but also a construction program has been added to train young adults in those skills which are so much in demand these days. Craig Cuccia and the board have done a phenomenal job since the storm in preserving Fr. Harry’s original vision by responding to developing needs in the city. Craig is now Chairman of Reconcile and Janet Davas is Executive Director. Visit their website.

You can volunteer for these projects online.