Camillus House honored seven black churches in Miami with a celebration on Thursday, May 9.
Honored churches were St. Agnes Episcopal Church, Historical Mount Zion, Brothers of the Good Shepherd, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, Greater Bethel AME (first incorporated black church in Miami) and United House of Prayer for All People.
Event speakers included Camillus House director and annual Black History Cultural Committee chair Crystal Conner and Camillus House president and CEO Paul Ahr, PhD.
Last year’s inaugural event recognized the role of black women in transmitting black culture. This year, more than 100 attended to celebrate the importance of the black church. Next year’s celebration will focus on teachers.
Camillus House recognizes the importance of hosting events so the community can come in its doors and see the good things happening on its campus. Ninety percent of Camillus House’s clients are African American. Each year Camillus House will celebrate key influencers within the African American community.
The goals of Miami’s black churches and Camillus House are common: everyone deserves a chance to live a good life. Camillus House is “of Overtown” and not “in Overtown.” This event is symbolic of Camillus House’s overall mission . It does much more than offer a free meal, medical care, a shower, or drug treatment. Camillus House offers a second chance to the desperate, the lonely, and the ones society has left behind.
Many of the clients who come to Camillus House have nowhere else to go. They have no friends, no family and no loved ones to help them. Camillus House becomes their family, giving them the hope and support they need to begin the long, difficult transition to a new life and selfsufficiency.
For more information visit online at www.camillus.org
