Caritas Village | History & Mission

Caritas Beginning

A coffee shop and cultural center immersed and wrapped in community, The Village seeks to break down walls of hostility between and among neighboring cultures and build bridges of love and trust between the rich and those made poor. This simple place where community folk come for a cup of coffee and arts immersion is where community gathers to share and form relationships. It is a church of sorts- that provides food for both the body and soul.

The Village uses art, music, hospitality, theatre, classes, and connections to creatively join people together in common goals from many different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Village interfaces directly with the surrounding community and creates jobs, provides experiential training, facilitates affordable and nutritious meals, and provides an outlet for creativity.

The Village opened its doors in December of 2006 and celebrated its grand-opening on January 26, 2007. The Caritas Village facility is an 8,000 sq. ft., 2 story building located in the center of the West Binghamton neighborhood. It serves as a community center, coffee chop and cultural arts center. The Village Coffee shop is located on the first floor and is open Monday- Saturday, 10am- 8pm. A hot lunch is served daily. In keeping with The Village’s mission, all eat, regardless of the ability to pay. The second floor houses both The Village’s Community Theatre, which seats 150, and the Artist-in-Residence’s art studio.

Compassion Neighborhood Clinic

Provides Compassion Neighborhood Clinic, a free medical clinic of all-volunteer staff every Tuesday night 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Doctors and nurses treat minor adult and childhood illnesses, help find doctors to treat chronic illnesses, and provide health education. STAFF WILL NOT write prescriptions for pain, nerves, diets or sleeping pills. Nor will they complete disability evaluations/paperwork, admit clients to hospitals, or replace a patient's regular physician. Treatment is first-come, first-served. Must bring picture ID. Spanish-speaking staff member available. General Information: Hrs, Tue 6pm-8pm, No Fee, For Residents of Binghampton, zip code 38112. Walk in bases, Spanish-speaking staff member available.

2011 Legends
Award Honoree

Onie’s life and work personify the values of the Women’s Foundation.

Onie Johns left her suburban Germantown life to engage in a “ministry of presence.” Through Caritas Village, which she founded, Onie strives to “break down walls of hostility between races, rich and poor, and provide a positive street-corner alternative for neighborhood children.” Caritas Village now includes a restaurant and offers a wide range of cultural and arts activities to the community. Additionally, the Village offers a theater, art studio, free health clinic, after-school programs, tutoring and ESL programs. All this hospitality and all the services are available in Binghampton, one of Memphis’ most under served neighborhoods. In her efforts to build strong families in Binghampton and to create racial harmony throughout the city, Onie has joined forces with Service Over Self, Bridges, Jacob’s Ladder and numerous churches, among others. Women’s Foundation

Onie is passionate about community and the arts and believes that creativity is more valuable than knowledge and feels that we are all sojourners on earth and that there is “enough” for everyone.