Catherine House provides emergency accommodation for homeless women, offering them safety and security. They are given support to to address the issues that have resulted in homelessness by linking them with support services in the community. Through the Catherine House outreach program, the women are supported in their transition to independent living.
The Sisters of Mercy have always valued education and Catherine House provides women with access to education and employment opportunities that will expand their options for the future to build a life that is meaningful and purposeful.
The Sisters of Mercy noticed there were a number of homeless women in the city and saw the need to establish a place to support these women. Catherine House was founded by the Sisters in 1988 in partnership with the South Australian Housing Trust and the Adelaide City Council. Its first administrator was Sr Anne Gregory. It is named after Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.
St Aloysius College supports Catherine House through donations raised from Mercy Day Carnival and the Colour Run.
By Carol Grantham, 2020
Click to enlarge image
Reference
Catherine House 2021, Catherine House Inc, Adelaide, viewed 17 September 2022, <https://catherinehouse.org.au/>.