Mother Teresa center offers therapy to homeless

“Let’s do something beautiful for God.”  –Mother Teresa.

Bill Filipponi became homeless in 1992 after falling 45 feet and hurting his back. He is a painter and a musician. Looking back, he calls the accident “God’s mercy,” because it was the first time he questioned the idea of God.

“It’s been a wonderful journey ever since,” Filipponi said.

Filipponi is one of hundreds of homeless utilizing the Mother Teresa Shelter daily. He plays the guitar in the Multi-purpose Activity and Therapeutic Center, which opened Oct. 26.

“I was a D minus student when I was growing up, but the Bible educated me. The main problem, I see, is that we get stereotyped as drunks and derelicts. Most people don’t question what they see. We’re not all drunks and derelicts,” Filipponi said.

“You’re up there and we’re down here. If more people would just look down and see us, pull us up and ask us, ‘what’s going on,’ I think there would be a lot less of a homeless problem,” Filipponi said.

Filipponi played the guitar professionally in Boston, but now finds music to be healing. Sometimes he plays with piano player Bobby McGraves who is also homeless. McGraves said that playing the piano at the Activity Center releases the pain in his heart.

“Music is everything; it’s healing; it’s a lesson; it inspires and uplifts,” Filipponi said.

Aaron Villalobos, who is in charge of the Activity Center and had worked for non-profits during his college years, sees the change the program has in peoples’ lives.

“People are mostly using the computers or the musical instruments and art supplies to relieve stress. You don’t know these services are needed until you’re actually there. Many times we have a mind-set… but there is always a special case. To see people change their lives through programs like this, is just wow, so gratifying,” Villalobos said.

While McGraves and Fillipponi played the centers piano and guitar, two other homeless people were busy in the activity center. John Kearns looked for a cheap apartment on the computer and Jennifer Wickline painted pictures for her twins who are currently in foster care. She feels more connected to them when she’s painting.

Kearns grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York and he likes not living where it snows. He said Villalobos helped him get his transcripts from other schools and he will be attending Del Mar in the spring semester.

Wickline comes to paint at the Center every day. She said she and her boyfriend made $17 when they hunted for aluminum cans all night long. She said painting calms her down.

“Why or how does a person become homeless?” Linda McKamie, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, asked at the opening and blessing of the Therapeutic and Activity Center at the Mother Teresa Shelter.

“I think the easy answer might be to blame it on drugs and alcohol, but I’d like for us to challenge that school of thought, and instead argue that maybe the use of drugs and alcohol is the result of being emotionally broken, hopeless and eventually becoming homeless,” she said.

Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey blessed the Activity Center and thanked Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, who provided the vision and support for the Mother Teresa Shelter.

“This will become a place to recreate, rest and have fun. It is a precious treasure to be able to serve and it’s a great privilege to be here.” Bishop Mulvey said.

Sister Rose Madassery who runs the shelter said she was excited about the program, because it will give them more things to do, be busy, work physically, refresh their mind, body and soul,” she said.

The primary purpose of Mother Teresa Center, which is a part of Catholic Charities, is to provide shelter and supportive services to homeless persons during the day in the hope that they will regain their dignity and stability. The center is located on 513 Sam Rankin in Corpus Christi.

The Multi-purpose Activity and Therapeutic Center uses art, reading, writing, music and horticultural gardening as part of therapy. This type of therapy is also known to address physical, psychological, cognitive and social functions.  It has a half basketball court, air hockey, ping pong and foosball table as well as other games like checkers and chess.

“By incorporating team sports, exercise and table games we help facilitate socialization skills often lost when living on the streets; these techniques are also known to aid insomnia, depression, and low self-esteem,” McKamie said.

“Individualized counseling and case management will be an integral part of rehabilitation; workshops and motivational speakers will help provide comprehensive, community-based outreach services needed for re-entering into society,” she said.

A Transitional House is also in the works on Mestina and Mexico Street. It will be completed early next year. It will provide housing for 24 single males for a period not to exceed 24 months.

Filipponi hopes he will be chosen to move into the new transitional house.

“They told me I was a good candidate for the house,” he said.

The center is in need of volunteers to share their time and talents. Hours for the center are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, call (361) 883-7372, ext. 15.