Program Helps Women Adjust to Life Outside Homeless Community By Christine Rowett At My Sister's Place, volunteer companions act as mentors to mentally ill homeless women who are close to finding permanent shelter. "One of the effects of mental illness is that you lose social skills," explained the Rev. Tom Bonderenko, administrator of food and shelter programs for Catholic Charities, which operates the daytime drop-in center. "We link up one woman in the community with one woman who has mental illness so they have someone to talk to. They can learn to trust." There are currently 12 mentors participating in the Compeer Program, which was established to help women readjust to life outside the homeless community. "We use the program to reconnect them with the community," Bonderenko said. "The success of the program is that they keep contact with their mentor." The Compeer Program is just one facet of My Sister's Place, the Mulberry Street center that opens its doors each day at 9 a.m. and closes them at 4 p.m. On average, between 40 and 50 guests go to the center daily to use laundry and shower facilities and talk with caseworkers. Catholic Charities, which also operates 26 other programs throughout Maryland, is one of more than 115 service agencies that will benefit from Hopkins' United Way contributions. My Sister's Place has been in operation for about 10 years, and the center is open every day of the year including all holidays. In the afternoon when it closes, some of the guests go stay with friends or relatives, Bonderenko said. "Many of them go to shelters," he said. "Some just wander the streets." The affiliated My Sister's Place Lodge does provide housing for homeless women with chronic mental illness. The agency has a staff of seven full-time employees and a network of about 30 volunteers, who welcome the guests and offer them coffee or a chance to talk. Bonderenko said there is no shortage of guests at the center, and volunteers are always welcome. "There are greater needs than there are resources," he said. "That can get discouraging." In another part of the United Way campaign, the third and final lottery open to university employees who pledged $35 or more was held last week. James A. Fill at the School of Engineering won the first prize: one night for two at the Cross Keys Inn. The second prize of dinner and a show for two at Toby's Dinner Theatre was won by Charles R. O'Melia, also at the School of Engineering. James Martino at the School of Arts and Sciences garnered the third prize of dinner and a show for one at the Towsontown Musical Dinner Theatre. The fourth prize of two tickets to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra went to Ann G. Prime-Monaghan at the School of Continuing Studies. And Elliot R. McVeigh at the School of Medicine won the fifth prize of a $50 gift certificate to Radebaugh and Sons Florists. All the lottery prizes were donated by suppliers. The three contests were held to encourage early participation in the campaign. ------------------------------------------------------------- University staff and faculty have reached 86.9 percent of their goal, pledging $482,934. The hospital has raised $175,991. APL has raised $329,103. -------------------------------------------------------------