A new drive to provide more care and attention for homeless people in Santo Domingo is being led by Felix Cepeda of the local branch of the Catholic Worker Movement. The movement, founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933, seeks to provide direct aid and care for homeless people.
“We go out every night and provide clothing and food for homeless people,” says Cepeda. He welcomes volunteers who want to contribute their time to help homeless people.
Many homeless people are elderly and do not have relatives, some have mental problems, some have become homeless for drug-related reasons, but others are healthy and young with family problems. They congregate in areas like San Vicente de Paul Avenue and Parque de los Minas.
Felix Cepeda said that he has noticed that many people spontaneously give assistance to homeless people. This has motivated him to continue making his own contribution to society. His goal is to set up a shelter for homeless people.
Cepeda is appealing to the media to encourage more people to join him in his campaign. Cepeda says people can help in a thousand ways, by providing transportation, food, clothing and their time.
Felix Cepeda’s appeal for support coincides with a recent announcement from the First Lady’s Office about the opening of a center for homeless people in Gualey, in recognition of this growing problem in Santo Domingo.
He can be reached at felix.cepeda@gmail.com or Tel 809 328-5340.