The Archdiocese of Boston will convey the former St. Kevin’s Parish property to a partnership among three Catholic ministries: St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) and Holy Family Parish.
The POUA plans to redevelop the Dorchester property, in partnership with St. Mary’s and Holy Family Parish, into permanent housing for families that currently receive services from St Mary’s and community members.
"The Archdiocese is blessed to be able to develop the site of the former St. Kevin’s Parish for housing that will provide stability and new opportunities for the individuals and families who will live there," said Cardinal Sean O’Malley. "This collaboration in the Uphams Corner section of Dorchester is a sign of the church’s commitment to the community and our intention to maintain a long-term presence there."
St. Mary’s Women and Children Center provides emergency and transitional shelter, support services, job training, and educational opportunities to vulnerable women and children.
"We look forward to this development as an opportunity to extend our ability to provide critical support services to the families of St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center and enable them to live in a setting where they can access services including transportation, educational opportunities and social contacts," said Judy Beckler, president of St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center. "We look forward to meeting with the local community very soon to begin to share the vision for our investment in Dorchester."
The POUA is a non-profit real estate developer and social justice ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston which develops affordable and mixed-income housing.
"This development is so important because it provides a rare opportunity for the church to support the joint work of Holy Family Parish, St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center and the Planning Office and, more importantly, the people we all strive to serve," said Lisa Alberghini, president of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs.
