In Queens, College Point Street Outreach Run by Religious Sister Supports Families in Need

About six years ago, Sister Ruth Lautt had an idea to help the less fortunate in College Point.

With the blessing of St. Fidelis pastor Father John Francis, the church’s street outreach ministry was born.

“He called me the next day and he said, ‘This is of God. Go ahead,’” said Sister Ruth Lautt, founder and director of St. Fidelis Street Outreach.

“People see this and then they realize, ‘Oh my goodness, we need more help actually here in College Point,’” Father Francis said.

Since then, the outreach has helped hundreds of people by providing food, clothing and other necessities. Volunteers have also assisted individuals experiencing homelessness in finding sustainable housing.

“Whenever you do this ministry, God rewards it immediately and direct — it never fails,” Sister Lautt said.

Among the volunteers is 16-year-old Maribel Perez, who said her Catholic faith inspired her to serve.

“We’re called to help the homeless,” Perez said. “So as Catholics, we should always help the homeless, the less fortunate, to honor God and follow in Jesus’ footsteps.”

What began as a desire to give back has grown into a larger service project for Perez. She assembled 100 drawstring bags filled with hygiene products, each containing eight essential items, along with 51 smaller cases of supplies.

Sister Lautt and Father Francis say the outreach reflects the legacy of the church’s namesake, St. Fidelis.

“Two outstanding qualities he had — one was his love for the poor, and the second, of course, defending the faith,” Father Francis said. “So I see that spirit here actually in College Point.”

“God is faithful to us,” Sister Lautt added. “So we’re faithful to the ministry he’s called us to.”

The bags, filled with everyday essentials, offer more than supplies — they offer encouragement.

“It gives them a little hope in a bag,” Perez said. “Hopefully I inspire other people to do the same, to give back to the less fortunate. I feel very lucky to help them.”

While the outreach takes place once a month, organizers say its impact continues well beyond each event, creating a path forward for those in need.