Bishop Jugis dedicates new apartment home in Charlotte Aug. 25
CHARLOTTE — Mother Teresa Villa, a new housing complex for adults with developmental disabilities in Charlotte, was ceremonially opened and dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis this week. The 11,752-square-foot facility is an answer to prayer for the families whose loved ones have moved in.
Mother Teresa Villa is a combined effort of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., and InReach, a Charlotte non-profit that provides residential support for people with developmental disabilities.
Funding for the $2 million project came from a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with the Charlotte Housing Trust Fund and the N.C. Housing Finance Agency. The Diocese of Charlotte also helped fund the infrastructure on the 20-acre site which will support future housing initiatives.
Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, welcomed more than 100 people to the dedication Aug. 25.
"Thank you all for being here as we celebrate the opening of Mother Teresa Villa affordable apartments. We are really grateful for your presence here," he said. "As you all know, a project of this scope does not happen by itself. It requires the collaboration and the working together of so many people, many of whom are here this morning."
He acknowledged the agencies who partnered with the diocese on the project.
Margrit Bergholz, of North Carolina Finance Agency, which provided a supportive housing program loan of $250,000, addressed those gathered: "This is a beautiful project that is providing much-needed housing for 12 residents."
Patsy Kinsey and LaWana Mayfield of the Charlotte City Council also spoke, expressing their support of the diverse housing option Mother Teresa Villa provides.
Kinsey shared a quote from Blessed Teresa: "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples."
David Dougherty, chair of the InReach board of directors, then spoke about his agency's involvement in the project: "I really can't tell you how exciting it is to be a part of this project. The groundwork was laid five years ago. We are very excited to partner with the Charlotte Catholic diocese to put this project together.
"This is a different model than what we've done before. We have 40 years of experience in managing housing for people with disabilities...We've never done a 12-plex before, and it is fantastic how it's all turned out."
During his prayer of dedication, Bishop Jugis said, "When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, He made His home with us. Let us now pray that He will enter into this residence and bless it with His presence. May He always be here among us. May He nurture the love of the residents for each other, share in their joys, comfort them in their sorrows. Inspired by His teachings and example, may they seek to make their new home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ."
After walking through the building blessing the rooms and hallways, Bishop Jugis was then joined by housing leaders from the Diocese of Charlotte and local and federal governments, non-profit representatives and Charlotte City Council members to cut the ribbon on the project, situated on "Guardian Angel Lane" next to Good Shepherd Methodist Church on South Tryon Street.
"It's a really exciting opening on multiple fronts," says Jeanne Pritt, assistant director of InReach. "You have people who have had challenges affording housing, which may have kept them strapped for cash. You also have folks who will be living independently for the first time – which is a wonderful and exciting thing but it is also a transition for that individual and their family members."
Mother Teresa Villa will feature 13 units: 10 one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments, and one apartment for an on-site property manager provided by InReach. Disabled residents will pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent, and the federal government will subsidize the rest as part of HUD's Section 811 program.
Susan Summer, a new resident, was in the process of bringing in more of her belongings just before the dedication. Her mother Pat said that they had been "praying for this day for so long." She had a song called "A Mother's Prayer," by Celine Dion, that she said reflected how she felt today, knowing her daughter would be safe at Mother Teresa Villa.
Jamie Snyder, whose family are parishioners at St. Matthew Church in south Charlotte, recently moved in. He said he's "getting acquainted with it." His mother Cathy shared that he had been in a group home previously and this was his first time living in his own apartment.
Kenji Kellen, another resident, is still settling in and getting used to his new apartment. He is thankful for the large walk-in shower, as he has had two strokes, and that makes his life a bit easier.
"I'm still trying to get my brain wrapped around the fact that I am in a new place," he said.
The housing complex is named for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, a nun who dedicated her life to serving the poor and disabled. The 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner was a great friend of Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin. He had hoped to be present for the dedication but because of health issues was unable to attend.
There was also a tribute during the ceremony for Mary Kennedy, who devoted herself to the RespectAbility Ministry at St. Gabriel Church and in the local community. It honored and cherished the gifts of children and adults with special needs. She passed away in 2012. Father Frank O'Rourke, pastor of St. Gabriel Parish, and Maggie Baucom spoke on behalf of her family that was gathered for the dedication.
"We're here today to honor Mary Kennedy for her being the advocate for special housing," Father O'Rourke said. "From the first day I arrived at St. Gabriel, Mary was asking me to go to talk to Father Mo (Monsignor West) to advocate for housing. We're here today to see this beautiful tribute to her, giving her voice, and (witnessing to her) really giving her full self to advocating for Beth (her daughter) and all of Beth's friends."
The project is the first phase on the 20-acre site approved for affordable senior housing, a future adult day care center and a chapel. The site could accommodate up to 240 units of affordable senior housing when it is eventually completed. The project will also feature gardens, open space and an outdoor activity area.
Kim Johnson, the residential services manager who oversees the applications and the waiting list for the facility, was glad to see the dedication. "I think it's a wonderful thing for the people. It gives them a sense of dignity and respect and independence. They're so happy with how they're decorating their apartments. It's wonderful!"
Jerry Widelski, director of the Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corp., in remarks after the dedication, said of what this day and this project means to him: "It's hard to put into words. It's a joy. I really believe with the partners that we have and the extra funding that we got, it's the best looking building of its type in the U.S."
This is the third housing project for the diocesan housing corporation and the first in Charlotte. The other two are located in Mooresville and Salisbury.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter