Mardi Gras fundraiser event to bring better quality of life to homeless seniors

Seniors over the age of 55 are the largest and fastest growing segment of Arizona's homeless population. Already on the margins of society, senior citizens without homes are often overlooked and forgotten.  In an effort to bring a better quality of life to homeless seniors, the St. Patrick's Beyond Just Faith Ministry is holding a Mardi Gras fundraiser March 5, 2011 sponsored by Silverado Senior Living, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the Justa Center, a non-profit resource center for homeless senior citizens.

The Justa Center receives an average of 125 requests of help per day.  Within their walls they offer homeless seniors warm showers and meals, a place to store their belongings and wash their clothes, and have access to health care, counseling and the use of computers. With the assistance of trained volunteers, deserving people are able to receive earned veterans benefits, disability and social security benefits.

"The funds this event provides Justa Center is vital to the work we do," says Scott Richie, one of the founders of the Center and its director.  "Here in Phoenix, donations almost cease during the summer, when people leave for cooler climates.  If  St. Patrick's Beyond Just Faith Ministry didn't hold this event, we wouldn't be able to keep our doors open.  Living on the street is always extremely difficult, but in our summer temperatures, it's literally a killer."

SOURCE Silverado Senior Living