Breaking the mold, Project One takes a local job 

By Peter Sánchez 

CAMDEN — Since the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, has been sending volunteers through its Project ONE initiative to the Gulf region to help gut and rebuild homes for those who are physically or financially unable to do so themselves.

Many volunteers have come back disappointed by the slow pace of the rebuilding in the Gulf Region and frustrated by the injustices they have seen. Consequently, these volunteers have formed a local group, Project ONE Local Initiatives (POLI). 

This past weekend, these POLI volunteers took on their first local project, restoring the home of Jerry and Mary Ann Pellegrino, parishioners of St. Joan of Arc in the Fairview section of Camden. During a rainstorm in 2005, a leaky roof caused severe water damage and a subsequent serious mold problem at the Pellegrino’s residence.

The family fixed the roof and was working to fix the interior, but with a fulltime job at a local food-processing equipment manufacturer, Jerry’s repair work on his house was limited to the evening and weekends and was proceeding slowly.

Because of the deteriorating condition of the house and the health hazard it presented, the couple’s 6-year-old son, Mark Anthony, was taken into protective custody last summer by the Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS).

It was then that Jerry reached out to St. Joan of Arc pastor, Father Ken Hallahan, to ask for help in regaining his son, who was baptized in the parish, and assistance in restoring his house. Father Hallahan contacted Catholic Charities, and last August the planning phase of the restoration project was begun.

Just a few weeks before Christmas, the Pellegrino’s moved into temporary housing in Camden, aided by Father Hallahan, Catholic Charities and DYFS. Now that they were living in a safe and healthy environment, DYFS reunited Mark Anthony with his mother and father.

Catholic Charities gathered nearly 75 Project ONE workers in the Fairview section of Camden this past weekend and began the grueling work of cleaning out the contents of the home, gutting and demolishing parts of the home.

With the home empty and the gutting phase completed, the group can now focus on the plumbing and electrical work inside the house. Once all work is completed, there will be a city inspection before the rebuilding of the house, including hanging drywall and painting. The target completion for the rebuilding is late February or early March.

Jennifer Dyer, director of Parish and Community Ministries, who has been coordinating the efforts for Project ONE, noted that a number of individuals, parishes and organizations have contacted Catholic Charities and made financial contributions to help fund this project for the Pellegrino family. “So many people are looking for an opportunity to do good,” she said.

Father Hallahan remarked that the project is “a wonderful effort to help a person who’s lived in the area for a long time.”

After the renovation work is completed, a financial planner will volunteer services to the family, and DYFS has promised to work with the family  to ensure the family has the skills and services it needs.

“I’m very appreciative of all the assistance,” Jerry said. “I thank God for all the help I’ve gotten. The new year is starting to show a lot of promise,” he said.

To join Project ONE or help the Pellegrino family or other families, contact Jennifer Dyer at Jennifer.Dyer@vhscd.org, or call 856-342-4107.

One Person's Reflection from His Experience

On Saturday January 12, 2008 I had the opportunity, along with other members of our community, to participate in the outreach program sponsored by Catholic Charities entitled Project ONE Local Initiatives. All the individuals participating in this effort were parishioners who had also been involved on one of the Diocesan trips to New Orleans in the rebuilding effort after Hurricane Katrina.

In writing this I am reminded of the words of St Paul, “To each individual the manifestation of The Spirit is given for some benefit”. While all of us, at some level, are involved in activities and ministries within our Parish, my experience in New Orleans was a first step in my journey of concern for our bothers and sisters who are not as fortunate in so many aspects of their lives. The Fairview project was a natural progression for me to continue in some small way a “giving back” to the larger community. It was good to be among friends who shared the same desire to continue what we had learned through Project One, each in our own way.

We all have different responsibilities that demand our time, yet for 5 hours on a Saturday we were able to step away and make some small contribution in someone’s life. This was our church at work, outside the confines of our building.  As Larry DePaul stated when we ended our day “We all have been changed in some way since the time we arrived”.

 I look forward to the transformation this change brings to all of us.

Ed Dunn