Twice a year, Fr. Weber Hall (the religion building), is flooded with pull-out mattresses. Some students accept this to be the work of bedtime elves. They do not know why they have to rearrange the desks during first and fifth periods.

Bellarmine has been participating in Family Housing Network for a long time, or at least as long as teacher Robert Payne has been in the community. (He began working on the hill in 2001— the same year that many of the sophomores and juniors were born.)

Former president Jack Peterson was instrumental in starting the program, and it has grown significantly.

Throughout the year, many parishes and schools act as temporary housing for those facing tough times.

Weber Hall acts as relief center in October and March. Families will stay the night and receive a warm meal and companionship.

They leave at 7 a.m. for the Catholic Community Services Center where individuals help them to secure permanent housing and jobs.

Payne remembers when he first volunteered with the program. “When I started, I had a five year old, three year old, 15 month old, and a three month old. I would bring the kids to come hang out and have a good time. It became like playtime for them. What the families really come for is human interaction. They just want to be with people and having my kids be a part of that is really cool.”

As Payne highlighted, it is a really easy way to get involved. It is an incredibly rewarding and easy experience. It is not labor intensive.
Every year, entire families and community periods will take this opportunity to volunteer together. Most community periods will elect to make dinner for those staying in Weber Hall. They will take this opportunity to cook a meal and spend time with the visiting families. After dinner, those serving will help clean up. It is a great community-building activity.

However a person does not need a group to get involved. Payne says that he has many individuals help out as well. Any help is welcomed and appreciated.

For sophomores and juniors, this is an opportunity to earn their 30 service and justice hours.

Anyone who wants to help should contact Payne via email: [email protected] .