LAKE CHARLES — The Diocese of Lake Charles announces that Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana is working to open Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men in Lake Charles.
The property under consideration is located at 1017 Sixth Avenue in Lake Charles. A generous donation from Rick and Donna Guzman Richard and Empire of the Seed makes this project possible.
Catholic Charities has been committed to responding to the basic needs of the people of Southwest Louisiana since its foundation.
Sister Miriam MacLean, RSM, director of Catholic Charities, said, “Before Hurricane Laura struck in August 2020, Bishop (Glen John) Provost told me that he desired a shelter for the care of the most vulnerable. It is an essential part of the Diocese’s mission to care for those who are most vulnerable among us, and we are so humbled to be able to undertake this mission at Saint Joseph Refuge due to the generosity of local people in the spirit of the Gospel.”
of Sixth Avenue and Third Street) in Lake Charles is the
proposed site for Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men in the
Diocese of Lake Charles. Operational plans are still in the works
by Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana.
(Photo credit: Morris LeBleu / Diocese of Lake Charles)
The proposed development plan will rehabilitate the existing former school building and expand the existing structures to provide for overnight lodging, meals, laundry, and other crucial services such as help accessing education, job placement, daycare, and medical treatment in order to help people better their lives. Operational plans are still being formulated for the Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men.
“We believe that our Lord wants us to care for the poor in our area,” said Sister Miriam. "We want to work with the local community to give the men in our area a refuge where they know they are loved by our Lord.”
A community information and hearing session will be held at Saint Henry Catholic Church, 1021 8th Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 4. Questions or comments may also be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. After hearing from the local community, Catholic Charities hopes to renovate the current property and provide a much-needed refuge in Lake Charles.
If zoning approval is given for the project, Catholic Charities will begin raising funds. There will be giving opportunities to help with the cost of renovations and contribute to an endowment fund which will ensure successful operations for decades to come.
If you wish to support Saint Joseph Refuge Shelter for Men, please contact Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, 1225 Second Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, or go to www.catholiccharitiesswla.com.
[E]very poor, needy, suffering or dying person, every stranger, every prisoner, every infirm person is “the child” whom Joseph continues to protect. For this reason, Saint Joseph is invoked as protector of the unfortunate, the needy, exiles, the afflicted, the poor and the dying. Consequently, the Church cannot fail to show a special love for the least of our brothers and sisters, for Jesus showed a particular concern for them and personally identified with them. From Saint Joseph, we must learn that same care and responsibility. We must learn to love the child and his mother, to love the sacraments and charity, to love the Church and the poor. — Pope Francis, Patris Corde
