A penitentiary reintegration home
On Saturday 6 April, the Pere Oliveras shelter celebrated its fifth anniversary since its foundation in March 2019. This initiative was created with the aim of supporting men in the process of prison reintegration. The residence is located in the Sants neighborhood and is managed by Càritas diocesana de Barcelona. It has 16 residential spaces and a professional team available 24 hours a day. In the last five years, the organization has accompanied a total of 370 people in the prison reintegration process.
Birthday celebration
To commemorate this anniversary, the reception house organized a small refreshment followed by a Eucharist in the parish of Santa Maria de Sants, with the performance of the Gospel choir “Little Light Gospel Choir”. During the event, Lourdes Ginestà, who is responsible for the reception services for people in the process of reintegration at Càritas Barcelona, expressed her gratitude to the entire community involved in the project. He emphasized the importance of providing support to second-degree, third-degree or parole inmates who need a place to live, especially when they don’t have a family network or resources to get housing. In these situations, the Pere Oliveras shelter is a voluntary option.
Five years of positive impact
During these five years, more than 370 people have been welcomed to the residence, with half of them of Spanish nationality. The majority of residents have been satisfied with the support received from Cáritas, valuing positively the opportunity to live in a private environment, contribute to community life in the neighborhood, receive psychological care, improve their employability and receive advice on matters of housing, among other benefits.
A continuous commitment
The Pere Oliveras shelter and the Llar Betània project have supported a total of 576 people in the last five years. These programs are part of the 2,000 places that Càritas diocesana de Barcelona offers to the whole diocese, through different types of housing.