Newton Migrant Family Shelter In Nonantum Has Operated Since November

NEWTON, MA — An emergency housing shelter for homeless families — including new migrants — has operated at the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish on Washington Street in the Nonantum section of Newton since November with its existence kept confidential from residents at the request of Catholic Charities.

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said her office agreed to honor the request to keep the overflow "SafetyNet" shelter's location undisclosed until Catholic Charities and the parish made that information public this week following public safety responses it said were connected to children pulling fire alarms and "rumors" about violence at the shelter that shelter operators refute.

The parish and Catholic Charities said there are about 30 bedrooms at the site, which has previously acted as a shelter for women recovering from addiction or those fleeing from domestic violence. The children at the shelter range from 10 months old to 8 years old.

As a "temporary" shelter, the hosts said the children are not enrolled in Newton Public Schools.

Catholic Charities asked that the location of the emergency not be disclosed "to protect clients and staff."

"Just this past fall, Catholic Charities USA warned member agencies they are being targeted by those who want to harm to our volunteers, residents, and staff across the country for helping migrants with basic needs," the parish and Catholic Charities said in the joint statement. "You may notice we have private security on site, and they are there for the safety of our staff and residents — not for any perceived risk to our parish community or neighbors.

"We do regret that some of the young children staying at this site tested our fire alarms a few times, which caused unnecessary response and disturbance. However, other reports of violence at this site are not accurate and we caution those who don't know the facts from sharing rumors that could cause an unfortunate portrayal of the families we are caring for in our community.

"The families here are in need of our help, not condemnation. We consider these families people,
not problems."

Fuller said the shelter is slated to operate through May.

"Please be assured that we have been in close contact with Catholic Charities and Our Lady’s on the ongoing operation of the shelter," Fuller said. "Our police, fire, inspectional services and health & human Services teams continue to be in communication with the shelter staff."

She added that she fully sports "the essential work of helping children and parents who are on the frontline of this humanitarian crisis."