Local Attorney Spearheads Mask Donations to Catholic Charities
May15,2020
by Ann Rodgers
When Jean Mosites wanted to help during the coronavirus pandemic, she sought expert advice from her daughter, an epidemiologist who specializes in infections among homeless populations.
Her daughter had warned her that masks would be in very short supply. When Mosites asked how best to get them to homeless people “she said that Catholic Charities are great and to try to get in touch with them. She said there was an urgent need for masks to protect clients, staff and everyone else.”
Mosites, an attorney who lives and works in Downtown Pittsburgh, doesn’t belong to the Catholic Church. But she knew that the Catholic Church has a long history of helping those in need because she often saw people lined up outside Saint Mary of Mercy Church to receive food and assistance at the Red Door ministry.
“I walk among homeless people every single day. The Red Door is an obvious service to people in need,” she said.
Before she could donate the masks, she had to obtain them. Mosites asked her son, Donald, who was locked down in New York, to procure a shipment of masks. It took some doing, but he located 750 and had them shipped to her.
She contacted a Catholic friend to find out how to reach Catholic Charities. The friend put her in touch with the office of Bishop David Zubik. Mosites called, and explained that she wanted to divide 750 masks among Catholic Charities and also the Red Door. Her Catholic friend, Marybeth Jeffries, also donated masks.
For Susan Rauscher, executive director of Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh, the gift was an answer to prayer. Catholic Charities had earlier posted a request for volunteers to make masks for its homeless ministry.
“We are so grateful for people like Jean who have been moved to share their gifts,” Rauscher said. “Her donation of masks means that we’re better able to serve our clients and help protect members of our homeless population who don’t have access to the basic protective supplies that are so necessary right now. Her generosity is encouraging and inspiring – and has a very real impact on the health of our communities.”
Mosites isn’t sure what the next project will be, apart from her desire to continue helping homeless people.
“I will take additional tips from my daughter and see what else we can do to chip in,” she said.