Homelessness was all the talk at St. Ann Church and School in
Arlington last week. The school’s annual Walk for Borromeo
Housing was held Oct. 16, but days earlier, an unusual
discovery was made – a homeless man had allegedly been living
in the attic of the church for three years.
On Columbus Day, a technician was checking out an
air-conditioning problem when he saw the man. He notified
Missionhurst Father Ramel O. Portula, pastor, who called the
police. The discovery made the local newspapers and
television stations.
Susannah O’Donnell, PTO communications chairperson,
recognized the link between the homeless walk and the man in
the attic.
“It’s a strange irony,” she said.
Father Portula said that the incident was sad, but it could
be a teaching moment.
“He was a homeless man who wanted a safe place,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to tell a positive story.”
And it was a positive story as the entire student body
gathered in the school gym after morning Mass on Friday to
prepare to walk through the streets of the St. Ann
neighborhood.
This was the 10th year that the students walked to raise
money and awareness for the homeless. All proceeds from the
walk go to Borromeo Housing Inc., a group that provides a
safe home for young homeless mothers.
Students’ families donated the money, and some students
donated their allowances to the effort.
Borromeo Housing was founded in 1988 by parishioners of St.
Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington. In addition to
providing housing, the group also runs an infant care supply
center that helps about 150 women each month get clothes and
other necessities for their babies.
Dani Seltzer is the chairman of the board of directors and
spoke to the students in the gym before the walk.
“Your walk today helps four moms and five babies,” she said.
” (It gives) nine people a safe place to stay.”
Principal Mary Therrell announced that $5,138 dollars was
raised this year – a record.
The money will cover expenses for the women for two months.
After Seltzer’s talk, teachers gathered the students into
groups and took them outside to begin their walk escorted by
Arlington County police on motorcycles.
They walked along the Custis Trail and neighborhood streets.
It took just 20 minutes to complete the circuit.
Students grabbed drinks and snacks and talked to each other.
Afterward, .sSome reflected on their short pilgrimage.
“It’s a good thing that we raise awareness and donate money
for a good cause,” said eighth-grader Fiona Archer.
In a county whose per-capita income, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau, was $63,000 in 2013, awareness of the homeless
problem can help people who Seltzer said are called “the
uninvited”, find a safe place to stay.
