On June 18, 2023, the 15th anniversary of the Wspólnota [community] Hostel in Połaniec, Poland was celebrated. The hostel offers treatment and support for people dependent on alcohol.
The anniversary celebration began with Mass in the Parish Church of St. Martin in Połaniec, presided over by Friar Piotr STANISŁAWCZYK, the initiator and founder of the hostel. After the Mass, all the participants moved to the hostel, where they were greeted by its Director, Wioletta ŁUKASZEK. Afterwards there was an artistic presentation by the patients and the hostel staff. Next, a slideshow was shown featuring the hostel’s activities over a fifteen-year period. The official part of the celebration concluded with cake being served. The good weather allowed the participants to enjoy the day with a barbecue in the garden. Thanks go to all the guests, former patients of the hostel and their families, for attending in such large numbers.
The Wspólnota Hostel, a project of the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow), is managed by the Conventual Franciscan friary in Chęciny. The hostel is affiliated with the San Damiano Center, which serves people addicted to psychoactive substances, and has been in operation in Chęciny for eighteen years. The hostel offers therapy to adult men and women struggling with alcohol addiction. It also functions as an addiction treatment dispensary. The therapy is carried out by qualified therapists, while the friars offer spiritual assistance.
Wioletta ŁUKASZEK, Director of the hostel