Based on the Catholic Worker Movement, the Catholic Action Center will bring together people of faith to live our call of the Gospel and be a resource for those in need who have "fallen through the cracks" of the social service. As an all-volunteer effort, the dignity and God-given respect of each individual will be upheld. Through prayer, education, and action will provide opportunities for people of all faiths to participate in answering the call to "act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with our God." Micah 6

Description:
Showers, phones, restrooms and meals along with connection to social service agencies are available at the Catholic Action Center. Breakfast is served at 9:00 am, lunch at 12:00 pm, and dinner at 5:30 pm, seven days a week. (May 15th - October 15th the center is closed on Wednesdays.) Hours of operation are 9AM - 7PM.

When the temperature is below 34 degrees, the Catholic Action Center remains open 24 hours a day to shelter those who have no other place to go.

God's Quarters - a free laundry service and God's Garments - a free clothing and household goods distribution center are located at 614 East Seventh Street and open 10AM - 2PM, Monday - Saturday.

At Godsnet (614 East Seventh Street), we collect books, movies (VHS and DVD), and CD's. These are placed on Amazon.com. All of the proceeds from the sales go to the "Keep the Heat On" fund to assist in low income family utility bills.

Divine Providence Way - is a 17-room house that is a community of men working toward wholeness, being held accountable and supported by the community. These individuals come to us with no where else to live, but with the desire to work and become self-sufficient. This ministry began in 2002 and has provided a home and a "hand up" to over 132 men.

St. Anne House - Acquired in November 2007, St. Anne's house is a 5 bedroom community for mentally ill and challenged women. The community is there to provide a safe, dignified home for women who would otherwise struggle with the violence and abuse of the streets. A housemother lives in the home to provide stability and develop the sense of community.

Homes for Single Moms - In August of 2007, we acquired 3 houses in the inner city that were renovated and furnished for single moms coming from local shelters or the streets. The homes are all occupied and are a step to giving the families independence.

Cross Co-operative - Started in 2008, this is an "alternative economy" for those struggling with joblessness; men and women who want to work but find there is no work available. The members make crosses that are sold at churches, festivals and on the internet at www.crossesforthetroops.org. The co-operative gives dignity of work, and all proceeds are divided by the members. Crosses are also available to send to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq through the US Military Chaplaincy. This co-op gives the "hand up" so many need.

Please see our website at http://www.godsnet.info
for more information.

History:
In 1999, a group of Catholic laity began prayerful discernment of our call to form a Catholic Worker Movement Community in Lexington, Kentucky. The Catholic Worker Movement was founded in 1933 by Dorothy Day to give people of faith the opportunity to reach out to those in need by providing food, shelter, and clothing and to work for justice for all.

The vision was to secure a facility in inner city Lexington to create a place of hospitality for those in need and facilitate the opportunity for people of faith to live the call of the Gospel. The Catholic Action Center was the outgrowth of this discernment. Through private donations, the Catholic Diocese of Lexington purchased the building at 400 East 5th Street for this work.

Bishop J. Kendrick Williams formally dedicated the Catholic Action Center on September 17, 2000.

Since that time the Center has strived to be a "house of hospitality" for the inner city neighborhood, a place where people gather to pray, feed the hungry, work for justice, and develop relationships with those in need in our community.

The Center is solely funded by private donations.

Contact person: Ginny Ramsey, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (859) 514-2626

Address:

P.O. Box 324 Lexington, KY 40588

Web Site: http://www.godsnet.info

Overall Experience   
Wonderful

posted on December 6, 2006