Historical June–July 2002 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
A non-profit group that has administered a mentoring program for women leaving prison, Center for Women in Transition, wishes to begin a residential program in – Skinker DeBaliviere, their first residential effort.
The Sisters of Mercy convent at the southwest corner of Waterman and Rosedale was the projected site.
The Sisters of Mercy had maintained a convent there for many years and have owned the building for the last decade. No longer in need of this facility, the order planned to donate it to the Center.
The residential transitional facility would house 8 women discharged from prison.
There would be a resident manager on duty 16 hours a day. Two nuns would also sleep there.
There would be supervised visiting and each resident would have a job.
The administrator is a nun as is another active participant but the organization is not part of any order. Sister Rose McLarney visited some neighbors who are parishioners at St. Roch to garner support.
However, others questioned the proximity to St. Roch School.
In addition, a noted criminologist said that trouble would occur from the women’s boyfriends or husbands. That interaction would be difficult to control.
To utilize the convent building, The Center for Women in Transition would have to secure a variance allowing dormitory living.
They would have to secure petition signatures from residents within a prescribed radius.
However, the petition and the ordinance from which it is drawn clearly state that a variance will not be granted if the building is within 500 feet of a school or church. Because of this proviso, it seems ,that the Center’s efforts will be futile; the SDCC will not support the proposal.
Original photograph caption
Convent, right, is just across street from church, left. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, June–July 2002.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2002_06.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
