THE Simon Community is in business. Its first reception centre opened in Hampstead last week. and is now under the patronage of Archbishop Heenan.
The first of the social workers forming the community's hard core are in residence, and the socially deprived people they hope to serve have begun to arrive.
Later, a full scalecommunity home—and traiping centre for social workers—is to open in the country. Meanwhile, the work will centre on St. Joseph's House. which is to be a residence, emergency shelter, soup kitchen and counselling centre.
St. Joseph's House was first opened in 1937 as a Dorothy Day inspired House of Hospitality, and became the first of four houses developed single-handed by Miss M. Handel. Now, after 20 years at the "coal face", ill health has forced her to concentrate on one coastal venture.
Miss Handel has therefore turned over to the Simon Community the work she has been doing among the forgotten and the outcasts of London's floating Skid Row.
The Simon Community is running three nubile meetings next week: Monday (May 11) : St. Leonards-on-Sea, Simon Aid Club, 7-9 p.m., Divito's, 17 Grand Parade; Tuesday (May 12) ; Oxford, Y.M.C.A., Walton Street. 7.30 p.m.; Saturday (May 16): Reading, St. Giles Hall (St Michael's Room), 7.30 p.m.