Rensselaer program supplying necessities to needy people

Circles of Mercy, which already provides advocacy, assistance and job training for people in Rensselaer, has added another aspect to its ministry: a thrift shop.

Founded in 1997, Circles of Mercy is an effort by the Sisters of Mercy to aid underserved people in that city. The program connects with local food pantries, hospitals, clinics and counseling services to help clients receive immediate and extended assistance.

Clothing from "Catherine's Closet" will be free to clients of Circles of Mercy and of St. John/St. Ann's Center in Albany. Clothing will be sold at minimum cost to others to cover rent and utilities for the building.

Meeting a need

Sister Kathleen Pritty, RSM, director, said that Catherine's Closet -- named for Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy -- is an expansion of a limited thrift shop that contained clothing for clients for job interviews and their first few months at work.

"People can't afford that if they're just coming off welfare," she explained.

Volunteers also help clients to fill out forms if their reading or writing skills are low and then fax the applications to potential employers. In addition, Microknowledge, a computer training firm, offers free classes for those who want to increase their employability.

More to do

Future plans for Circles of Mercy include efforts to combat what Sister Kathleen sees as the lack of affordable housing in Rensselaer.

Circles of Mercy often receives calls for help from people "being evicted because their house is being condemned or because the property has been sold to someone who wants to use it commercially," she said.

It's not easy for such people to find alternative housing, she added, because the waiting list for public housing is "long" and the ranks of those landlords who offer apartments under $500 are few.

Honored

Sister Kathleen, a former principal of St. Joseph/St. John's Academy in Rensselaer, has received the Rensselaer Community Center's 2003 Community Service Award.

"I'm honored," she said, "but I'm humbled by it also. If people's lives are better because they came here, that is great. I know that my life is better for having been here.

"I think our greatest asset to the community is that people can come to us with any need they have. Between our contacts with Catholic Charities, the hospitals and the people we know in social service agencies, we're able to get the people to the services they need. We're here every day for our folks."

(Donations of clothing, towels, sheets and housewares are welcome at Catherine's Closet, 11 Washington St., Rensselaer 12144. Due to lack of storage space, Sister Kathleen requests that donors call ahead at 462-0899.)

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