St. Joseph House Coordinator and Catholic Worker Explains House of Hospitality’s Continuing Mission

Bud Courtney, the coordinator for St. Joseph House, works to build personal connections with the people who visit the Catholic Worker house of hospitality in Lower Manhattan. Courtney, who has served the community for 19 years as both a volunteer and a live-in member, makes an effort to learn the names of those in the soup line to ensure they are treated with dignity.

Located at 36 E. First St., St. Joseph House has provided food to hungry New Yorkers since 1968. The facility currently serves approximately 150 people each day when the soup line is open. Courtney noted that he prioritized increasing interaction between the live-in volunteers and the guests to ensure the house remains a safe environment where people are treated as human beings.