CARITAS BRIDGE WEEK: February 1 – 7, 2025

So many ways to make a difference. 

Caritas Bridge Week – the week where St. James’s helps Caritas care for its Women’s Shelter guests – starts on Saturday, February 1. But NOW is the time to sign up.¬†

How can you help? There are so many ways. You can provide food, fellowship, and fun right at the shelter during the week of Saturday, February 1 thru Friday the 7th. You can also prepare hot meals, make and drop off lunches, provide evening entertainment, and go on a CARITAS Center tour. 

We will also provide Brown Bag lunches for the men of The Men’s Healing Place. The address is 700 Dinwiddie Ave.¬†

The beautiful CARITAS Center — at 2220 Stockton St. in Richmond. The Men’s Healing Place is at 700 Dinwiddie Ave.¬†

SIGN UP HERE! 

To learn more, contact Carrie Acey at  Linovet1@gmail.com or (804)475-9544 OR Janet Peyton at Jpeyton@mcguirewoods.com or (804) 399-8808

What is it like to support CARITAS Bridge Week?

Here are thoughts from long-time volunteer and St. James’ser Julie Wade:¬†

“Caritas is one of my favorite ministries at St. James’s.¬† Our family began participating about 20 years ago when my kids were in elementary school, and I have many fond memories of all four of us cooking, setting tables, eating and hanging out with the guests. Our experiences over the years provided meaningful fellowship and led to some thoughtful dinner discussions at home.

Caritas provides a critical service in Richmond, and has helped and continues to help so many people in need.  I recently spent a brief time searching for services for someone who was about to become homeless.  Believe me, help is limited and navigating the system is no picnic! I think we sometimes take it for granted that homeless services exist and that someone else will take care of our homeless community. Caritas cannot do the good work it does without its volunteer team.

Personally, my favorite part of this ministry is the fellowship and sharing stories with the guests.¬† When I spend one-on-one time chatting about our worries for our children, or laughing about a funny movie we both liked, or just listening to someone who needs to talk, I find we almost always have more in common than not.¬† I think this reminds us of our shared humanity, which leaves us both in a better place at the end of the day.”

Susan Siegfried:

“Serving at CARITAS Shelter Week has been an important part of my life at St. James’s for the last 25 years. When I am serving and being with CARITAS guests, I know with certainty that I’m exactly where God would have we be at that moment. It is a joy to visit with CARITAS guests and practice hospitality. I am aways amazed by the army of St. James’sers who make Shelter Week possible, our amazing and dedicated leader, and the multitude of other volunteers. With CARITAS, we have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, and I am so grateful that Shelter Week is a part of our St. James’s life.”

Sharon Wayne:

‚Äú I am one of the many background support people that help to make CARITAS Bridge Week a success. I have been a support person in this way for more than 25 years at St James’s Episcopal Church. My major focus has been on activities with my goal to get to know the participants. I feel very strongly that everyone needs to be seen and heard and helped to the best of our ability. I take my role as the hands and feet of Christ very seriously. My involvement has brought me so many blessings. My joy far exceeds the time and effort given to this cause. Years ago, there was a woman who came to the church. I will call her F. When greeting her as a newcomer I found she was in crisis and helped her get into CARITAS as well as offering other guidance to get her on her feet.¬†

While I have not spoken to her in many years because she had moved away, I took a moment and called her over Thanksgiving. She had moved back to Virginia and has a good government job. She could not say enough good things about how much a helping hand lifted her from a dark place to one of Healing. She is extremely grateful to CARITAS for all they have done as well as St James church. She is just one of so many stories of lives changed by giving of a little of your time and listening ear. I hope I will see you during Bridge Week this year as we continue to give and get blessings as doers of the word.” 

Ida Farinholt: 

“Caritas is a place where people come to heal and work hard to get their ‚Äúfeet back under them‚Äù. When you volunteer at Caritas you become a part of their community and not only have the opportunity to serve but also to connect and hear their stories and share a meal, play a game or sing along to the music.

Volunteering during Caritas Bridge Week is a great way to involve your family. There are ways for all ages to help out and spend time with those in the program. They are so happy to see us when we come and so thankful for the time we are there. You can see it in their smiles and their willingness to bring you into their lives at that moment. For me, it’s times like Volunteering for Caritas that you realize that yes, you may be helping to brighten the lives of others , but they are also brightening yours!! St. James’s has been involved with Caritas for as long as I can remember. They count on us to show up and it takes a lot of organizing to get it all to happen! It’s worth it for sure!!”