Catholic Charities Opens Aid Center for the Poor

A community-based poverty center providing counseling, clothing and food distribution was opened in the Mid-City area of Los Angeles on Monday by Catholic Charities.

Msgr. R. David Cousineau, executive director of the charities, said the St. Peter Claver Center at 4202 W. Jefferson Blvd. is unusual in that it will draw its funding from six local parishes as well as from more conventional sources such as United Way, the federal government and Los Angeles County.

The monsignor said the idea of sharing the funding of a poverty center with local parishes is relatively new, with only two similar centers--one in South-Central Los Angeles, the other in Venice--operating in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The center on Jefferson Boulevard will operate throughout the week. Food will be distributed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with emergency meals served daily.