Packed with Love

By Elizabeth Winchester
Photo credit: Matt Catapano

For over 30 years, the Catapano family has transformed their Gates Way home into something of a Santa’s workshop every fall. The tradition began and grew due to a meaningful “duffle bag project” started by Kathy Catapano in the 1990s with her friends and family.

Kathy’s project involves packing duffel bags filled with gifts and everyday necessities each holiday season for teens and young adults in SCO Family of Services’ Independence Inn transitional living programs. When Kathy died 11 years ago, her husband, Phil, continued the project with their friends to honor Kathy’s memory.

“Each year the house is turned into a warehouse and assembly line as guests pack bags to benefit young people who are homeless or have run away, including mothers with young children,” explained Phil. “Each gift bag includes such items as cold weather essentials, a hat, gloves, blankets, headphones, toiletries, a backpack, school supplies, and more.”

When Kathy started the project, there was only one Independence Inn, and there are now six. The project grew from providing about 15 to 20 bags each season to over 120 this past year, and has outpaced the family’s ability to keep up with the volume.

The project is “valuable and humbling,” noted Phil, who this year delivered the bags with his son, Matt, to the Inns in Brooklyn. They met many inspiring people, from the staff to the young people who live there. “The stories we heard of hardship, struggle, and survival on the streets of New York was a reminder of how we all need community and the support of one another to live a dignified and respectful life,” said Phil.

SCO’s Independence Inn program provides shelter and support for homeless and runaway youth to help them become self-sufficient. The Inns are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, serving youth 16 to 20 years old. Several of the Independence Inns serve young women and their children. The program helps residents acquire life skills needed for independent living, and helps young people successfully transition to adulthood.

“It’s time for me to close this chapter,” said Phil. “We don’t have the capacity or space to grow with the Inn program anymore because it is so big now.” Anyone who has ideas or interest in helping to continue the project should please email [email protected].