The stress and trauma of sleeping rough can be paused in a space with intentional warmth and thoughtfully placed rest areas. When I get to the Women’s Hearth in the mornings, I am greeted by the cozy front rooms, adorned with artwork, throw pillows, squashy armchairs and so many plants that I am often surprised that the air here is not crisp.
The first principle of these doctrines of Catholic Social Teaching anchors the other six: “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society,” writes the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).