2008 Dorothy Day Award
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“No one is forgotten”……… A week or so ago, on a Thursday, a resident of Unity Acres died unexpectedly in his room. A man, who may have had no access to health care or decent nutrition during his life on the street, dies un expectantly. With no family ties, Steve and the volunteers at Unity Acres are his only family. A decent burial is held and he is laid to rest at the cemetery on the grounds of Unity Acres. As Steve explains, “No one is forgotten. His grave is visited by folks at Unity Acres for years to come”. Dignified, respectful acts of mercy…. This is the calling of Steve Dickhout, executive director of Unity Acres. Steve was drawn to the Catholic workers movement as a young graduate student in Toronto. After reading several of Dorothy Day’s books ( Loaves and Fishes, The Long Loneliness) , Steve was introduced to the Catholic workers movement in Toronto. When his father passed, Steve moved to New York and sought out a community. When he called Unity Acres, he was told:” we have two old ladies and a sick priest, we do not have time for visitors, but come up and we will put you to work”. Well, Steve came up and moved in! His journey began. A small staff serves the needs of about 125 men living at Unity Acres. They come to this place via word of mouth or referrals from Catholic Charities, Jail Ministry, Parish priests, etc. The men follow a simple set of rules: no alcohol, drugs, or fighting. They are to keep the peace and contribute in some role to benefit the community. Some come with a set of skills, others do not. Unity Acres gives back to them dignity, a sense of belonging, and discipline. Steve has learned much from the residents and the volunteers. I asked Steve to tell me just one story about a resident who was helped by the work Steve does. It goes like this…. This man was living on his sister’s porch and it was wintertime. Peg McCarthy found him and brought him up to Unity Acres. After he was here for some time, I decided to hire him to supervise medications. He did this for 2-3 years and then moved on. He now lives in an apartment, has a job, a car, attends a church and stays in touch. Steve makes an effort to stay in touch in many ways. Some residents with declining health are referred to local nursing homes. Steve indicates they try to refer to one facility so that Steve and others can visit on a regular basis… No one is forgotten. As we celebrate our annual Dorothy Day Award dinner on May 1st at St Andrews parish, we look for an individual whose life works mirror is some way the life of Dorothy Day, also one who communicates a message of hope for those marginalized in our society and one who, individually, portrays true compassion and humility. We could not have found a more appropriate match than in the life of Steve Dickhout. It is very appropriate as we at St Andrews embark on our own journey of uncertainty that we pause to reflect and learn from others like Steve the true meaning of acts of mercy no matter where we are… “No One is Forgotten”. By Eileen M Clinton St Andrews Parish |
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