Charity Eyes R’wood Site For Services
A nonprofit organization is reportedly transforming a former Ridgewood convent into a facility for homeless women and their children.
Community Board 5 Chairperson Vincent Arcuri told the Times Newsweekly last Thursday, Sept. 25, that Providence House is in the process of converting Our Lady of Miraculous Medal (OLMM) Church’s former convent at 62-81 60th Pl. into a center providing services to homeless women with children and women transitioning out of prison and into society.
Formed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1979, Providence House presently operates seven transitional residences in Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester County, including three “permanent supportive housing” centers for women in need.
On its website, the Brooklynbased charity noted it has served about 13,000 individuals over the past 35 years as part of its mission “to provide shelter and support to homeless, abused and formerly incarcerated women and their children in a hospitable, nonviolent, compassionate atmosphere.”
The Times Newsweekly reached out to OLMM and Providence House for further comment, but as of press time Wednesday afternoon, no responses were provided.
Even so, Arcuri noted, the convent would be “ideal for senior housing,” which he claimed is a pressing need for the Ridgewood community.
