Spirit of Generosity: A. Morris Williams, Jr.
On a crisp October morning, Morris Williams—joined by his partner, Elaine Woo Camarda—stood alongside Project HOME leaders, elected officials, and hospital partners to break ground on House of Grace, a new permanent supportive housing residence that will bring 45 new units of housing to individuals who have experienced homelessness. Located beside our Sacred Heart Recovery Residence on land donated by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, House of Grace carries a name Morris thoughtfully chose “to reflect what I hope will welcome the 45 individuals home, just a year from now.” Mayor Cherelle Parker helped turn the first shovelful of earth, noting the signature encouragement Morris includes in every note to Project HOME: “Go Project HOME!”
Morris’s journey with Project HOME began over twenty-five years ago, when he first read about Sister Mary Scullion’s work in The Philadelphia Inquirer. “It was inspiring,” he recalls, “because it was on behalf of people who don’t normally get much attention—the homeless.” Over time, his understanding of homelessness deepened. “I’ve come to appreciate the complexity of its causes,” he says, “and how essential stable housing is. Homelessness does not need to be a permanent situation.”
Encounters with residents have made the issue personal. “Often it’s a random event that causes someone to tumble into homelessness,” he reflects. “It’s so important to be able to access shelter and housing, stabilize, and move on.”
A faithful and longtime MPOWER partner, Morris grounds his philanthropy in both personal experience and spiritual conviction. “Matthew 25 has always spoken to me—when you care for those who are suffering, you’re caring for Jesus. It’s easy to support organizations already held in high regard; it’s more of a challenge, and more important, to show concern for those who are struggling.” He adds that Project HOME stands out for its “effectiveness and the care with which it manages the gifts entrusted to it.”
Project HOME President and CEO Donna Bullock shared deep gratitude for Morris’s decades of steadfast partnership. “Morris leads with humility, faith, and conviction,” she said. “His belief in the dignity of every person—and his unwavering support of permanent supportive housing—has helped transform lives across Philadelphia. We are honored to build House of Grace alongside him.”
Morris is especially proud of Ruth Williams House at the Gene and Marlene Epstein Building, named in honor of his late wife, Ruth, whose interior incorporates prayer notes from the “Knotted Grotto” that thousands visited during Pope Francis’s 2015 visit. “They add a personal connection for residents,” he says. And as Project HOME grows, he remains hopeful: “The blueprint is there—we just need the resources to keep expanding.”
Looking ahead, Morris encourages others to get involved. “Visit the residences. See the care firsthand. I feel confident that gifts to Project HOME are used thoughtfully and responsibly.”
Project HOME is deeply grateful for the generous partnership of Morris Williams and his family—and inspired by his unwavering encouragement. Go Project HOME!
