Community Group 2025 recap - The Hope of St Joseph Shelter

Father Donato, founder of the Hope of St. Joseph Shelters, passed away in 2025 at age 61.

Our charity Hope of St. Joseph Shelter Inc. wants to thank the many sponsors, donors, volunteers and interested citizens who supported us in 2025.

Our non-denominational charity since 2016, provides safe shelter, food, and education to children and young people. They are homeless not due to their own choice, but due to the economic war over rich minerals in the eastern region of the DR Congo, Africa. Families are torn apart by the invading rebel armies.

In February 2025, the rebel army, M23, captured the city of Bukavu where our shelters are located. At first there was chaos, but after a few months the markets, hospitals and schools opened. Banks were closed and are still closed in 2026. Attending school is a priority of our charity. Schooling can give hope and a real chance for a better life. With the M23 in control of the city, the feeding street children program had to stop.

Sadly, in June, Father Donato the founder and manager of the shelters, died at the age of 61 due to cancer. His passing was a shock to all. Before Father passed, he had people in place to run the shelters.

Father Donato, a missionary Congolese priest, had lived in Amherstburg from 2015 to 2017. When he was here, Father opened our minds to the circumstances in his country. This is when we started to support the children and young people.

As we begin 2026, the M23 rebel army is still in control of the city and there is relative calm. Our charity will continue Father Donato’s legacy and support St. Joseph Shelter for girls (presently 42) and St. Mary’s shelter for boys (presently 17).

Unfortunately, the huge two-weekend yard sale that raised a lot of funds over the past 10 years, will not be able to continue as it was, due to the health and age of volunteers. We continue online sales of donated clean quality items. Dinner fundraisers throughout the year are planned. Educational presentations to groups and individuals wanting to learn more about how our charity helps these victimized children will be given.

Sponsorship of a child or young person is a beautiful way to see how your dollar can have a positive impact on a child’s life. For $25 a month, $300 a year, you can sponsor a child, receiving a photo, and yearly information about your sponsored person. As a Canadian charity, we can issue charitable tax receipts.

For information call Mary Beneteau 519-996-4800 or Larry Allen 519-736-6731. Visit our web site at www.hopeislife.ca. 

—Submitted by charity president Larry Allen

Community Group 2025 recap - The Hope of St Joseph Shelter