How it came to be.
In 1979 David Manzo was part of the Live-in Community at Haley House serving the homeless in the soup kitchen. David's community had initiated the elder meals program but the loss of housing for the poor was becoming painfully clear. Motivated to make a change, David joined forces with Kathe McKenna to purchase a building where at least a few people would be able to live with security and confidence. The rooming house was a paradigm that still had value and purpose, but was fast disappearing.
David approached Jesuit Father David Gill for assistance. Well ahead of his time, Father Gill agreed to raise money to 'save one rooming house' by running the Boston Marathon. Seeking community sponsorship, David and Kathe distributed a broadside that invited students to contribute to his effort and raised $7,000. With just enough funding to purchase the building, they made it happen and learned to become responsible landlords.
Over the next 30 years, many people, mostly elder citizens, lived at 575 Tremont, where they formed bonds amidst clashing personalities and individual ups and downs. Several lived out their time on earth within this fragile yet caring circle.