Casa San Francisco's new building dedication set Nov. 5 in Milton

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington will dedicate the new home of its shelter services program Casa San Francisco at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at 127 Broad St., Milton. The Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, D.D., bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, will offer a blessing of dedication. An open house and facility tours for community members will follow the dedication.

“We are excited to greet the Town of Milton and our neighbors at our beautiful new building,” said Richelle A. Vible, Catholic Charities’ executive director. “Not only does our new facility enable us to provide services to our residents in a manner that respects their dignity, and does not compromise their privacy, but it also allows for Catholic Charities to provide a greater number of services to the community as a whole. We welcome the opportunity to make available our basic needs, behavioral health services and immigration programs to this area of Sussex County, joining our established shelter services and food assistance programs.”

The improved structure provides a welcoming, safe and dignified service environment for clients. The new construction has made the facility accessible for clients with physical handicaps who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices. The building houses three handicap accessible bedrooms, a handicap accessible bathroom, a laundry facility, kitchen, workspace, five private staff offices and a multiuse room on the first floor and two additional bedrooms with bath, office, food storage space and a client resource room upstairs.

The large multiuse room will accommodate group classes and educational workshops for both shelter residents and food distribution participants, and is available to the community for use.

The project was designed by local architect Bill Byler. EDiS Co., a third-generation family construction business provided construction and project management. Warfel Construction of Milford was the primary subcontractor.

Catholic Charities, the charitable arm of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, celebrates its 185th anniversary of serving those in need during 2015. The agency offers a wide range of services to strengthen families, care for children, assist the disadvantaged, and build human relationships throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.