For Francis Demento, Thursday’s dedication of St. Anthony’s Shrine Clinic to homeless women was bitter.
It was named after his 64-year-old wife, Rita Demento, who died of Alzheimer’s disease five years ago at the age of 92.
“It would make her very happy,” she said of the Rita A Demento Women’s Medical Clinic. “It goes beyond happiness.”
Mrs. Demento was a donor and a devout Catholic. Her husband, not so much.
“She was here for Mass every Tuesday night,” he said. “I’ll park right outside.”
But she’ll be glad the clinic is a haven from hell for the homeless.
The 21 women who visit the clinic regularly have access to a doctor, a nurse, a registered nurse and a therapist. Mary Ann Ponti, director of public relations and community engagement, said women could also come to shower, get fresh clothes and snacks, and nap.
“We want to give them a quiet place to rest,” Ponti said.
But there are also indications that this is no ordinary clinic. The lounge has a list of muggers that the women can add as a warning to other homeless women.
There is a motion detector in the bathroom that alerts staff if the woman doesn’t go in for two minutes.
“The opioid epidemic is burning,” Ponti said. “And women are bearing the brunt,” an overdose of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times more potent than heroin.
For women whose only source of income is money from “survival sex,” there’s a flyer on the wall with a few tips: “Wear shoes you can walk in,” “Wear clothes you don’t have to take off.” Sex have” and “avoid necklaces” used to strangle women.
“Thank you,” Governor Charlie Baker said to the staff and monks who gave him space for the clinic. “It’s going to make a big difference for a lot of people.”
source
