BC Jesuit's Non-Profit Builds First Boston Home
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An ecumenical and interfaith non-profit founded by a Boston College Jesuit to provide food and housing relief to people in economic need has completed its first house project in Boston.Matthew 25 -- founded in 1988 by BC Law School Chaplain and Assistant to the Dean of Students Fred M. Enman, SJ -- officially dedicated on May 22 a Dorchester house that has been refurbished for a low-income family.
The formerly abandoned dwelling was purchased several years ago from the City of Boston for $24,000 by the non-profit. All of the interior demolition was completed by Boston College law and undergraduate students, who also assisted in the rehab process with interior painting, staining and preserving woodwork, and landscaping. YouthBuild Boston of Roxbury completed virtually all of the rough carpentry on the project; local tradesmen were hired for plumbing, electrical, finish carpentry and exterior work, and Rockwood Construction of Walpole donated roofing and other services.
The single-family residence will be called "The New England Children's Foundation House" in gratitude to the New England Children's Foundation (formerly the New England High Tech Charity Foundation) for a major gift for this project. Additional significant funding for the home was provided by BC alumni, especially the Class of 1987.
Matthew 25's name traces to the Gospel of Matthew and one of Jesus' parables. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Most of the organization's work has been in Worcester, where it has rehabilitated seven abandoned houses that now provide homes for 13 families. When the restorations are completed, the apartments are rented to low-income tenants at a percentage of their income (about 25 percent).
For more information, contact Fr. Enman at ext.2-1910 or frenman@bc.edu