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November, 2008
From the Catholic Charities Executive Director. . .
In the past weeks we have all been touched by the U.S. financial crisis in one way or another. As an endowment-driven organization, Catholic Charities is no exception; recent events have affected us all. Perhaps we walk through the grocery store and look at price tags a bit more than we used to. Perhaps we think about how we save and spend money a bit more as we stand and wait and watch the gas pump fill our cars. Perhaps we open our bank or retirement statements with a bit more hesitance than we did a month ago, or think about expenses a little more as we pay our monthly bills. These are challenging times for all. Indeed, at Sunday Mass one of the intentions just the other day was a prayer for the U.S. economy. I am not sure I ever remember hearing that before at Mass.
It is interesting to get the perspective of some of our clients on the recent financial struggles in our country. The other day, I had a chance to spend a few hours at the House of Charity, personally interviewing clients about our service delivery and quality control. At the end of each interview I asked many of them what they thought about the troubles in the U.S. economy. Just about every person I talked to told me that they were worried for somebody else. They were worried for seniors nearing retirement or already living on pensions and fixed income. They were worried for working families trying to make ends meet, especially since many of them had come from families just like that before they became homeless. They were worried for young people trying to go to college. Not one of them said anything about being worried for themselves.
I think that's the beauty of compassion. It's based in the idea that we care for, pray for, worry about, think about, and act for others. Whether it's the issue of homelessness, what we pay for a gallon of milk, or the U.S. financial crisis, we're all in this together. I was so profoundly moved to be reminded of that fact by the most vulnerable and marginalized among us. We truly are all in this together and we will get out of it together as well. Volunteer at a Catholic Charities program, say a prayer, do a good deed for somebody you don't know. That's the power of compassion and the spirit of unity that will always win the day.
Many prayers,
Rob
Rob McCann
Executive Director
Members of St. Joseph Parish in Otis Orchards adopted The Dresser Project to support two single, expectant mothers and their babies being served by the Childbirth and Parenting Alone (CAPA) Program.
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From the Inside Out
Catholic Charities Family Services Center Renovation Update
Someone driving by the new Catholic Charities Family Services Center would see a building in the midst of complete renovation. Demolition of the old building is complete, footings for the east addition are poured, and new floor plans are taking shape. Garco Construction and the team of subcontractors will continue their progress from the inside out; many exterior changes are coming soon.
To date we have received financial commitments from nearly 200 friends, and 100% of Catholic Charities staff have given to our building fund. This support totals $1.25 million in cash and pledges, $1 million in Catholic Charities Board designated endowment (if needed), and $2.4 million in public and private foundation requests.
The new Catholic Charities Family Services Center will include a welcoming receptiona area for clients in need of assistance from one or more of our 15 programs.
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Blog With Us!
For many years, Catholic Charities has been blessed with a constituency that is dedicated, supportive, loyal, and deeply appreciated. Fr. Bach and Donna Hanson left us an incredible legacy of a strong donor base, thanks to decades of hard work, building relationships and "telling the story" of Catholic Charities to supporters in our community. It is important that, if we are to continue to serve the vulnerable among us in the decades to come, we continue to work now to keep that base in place for whoever sits at our desks at Catholic Charities 30 years from now. We must do so by reaching out to the next generation of community leaders and supporters. The common wisdom notes that if you want to talk with people, you need to meet them where they live. Where this next generation lives is, in large part, on the Internet. This is why, on November 10, 2008, we are starting a blog--a web page on which will be posted regularly updated commentary, news, and thoughts, as well as photographs. The blog will be part of the Catholic Charities Spokane website. Entries will be written by program directors, staff, clients, volunteers, and others. Our site is utterly secure, so no inappropriate comments or photos will appear. We hope you will all join us. We're interested in hearing what you have to say. http://www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org/blog/
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House of Charity
32 West Pacific
P.O. Box 2253
Spokane, WA 99201
509.624.7281
- November, 2008 -
The Backbone of the House of Charity
One of the most popular dimensions of the House of Charity is our National Service volunteer community - our AmeriCorps and Jesuit Volunteers. Because this year's JVs and ACs are just beginning their service, we thought now would be a good time to acquaint you with both Jesuit Volunteer Corps and AmeriCorps and introduce the remarkable young people these programs have brought us.
JVC, which has a presence throughout the U.S. and abroad, was founded in 1956. The story of its genesis is complex, but intimately related to Gonzaga University. Jake Buchanan, SJ, founded the Copper Valley School in Alaska to educate Native Alaskan children living in isolated coastal communities. To help run the school, he recruited young college graduates. His first recruits, all from G.U., organized themselves into LAMB - Lay Apostolate Mission Boosters. The LAMBs - some of whom live in the Spokane area (and a couple of whom volunteer at the House of Charity) - came to the attention of Jack Morris, SJ, who used LAMB as the model for JVC. The rest, as the saying goes, is history. JVC:Northwest, which supplies JVs to this region, is based in Portland.
JVs first came to the House of Charity in 1981 and have been an integral part of our community ever since. Indeed, the JVC legacy is a living one at the House of Charity as Ed McCarron, our director, served as a JV here 1983-84.
A distinctive feature of JVC is that its volunteers live together in dedicated Christian community, a feature that is as central to the organization's mission as is the JVs' work. The Spokane JV community - which, at eight, is the biggest ever -- calls a large house in the Gonzaga neighborhood home. All the JVs' expenses are covered by Catholic Charities and each volunteer receives a stipend of $80 per month.
This year's House of Charity JVs are John Semmens and Jon "Jack" Killoran. John, who is from Great Falls, graduated from Carroll College with a degree in history while Jack, who hails from Los Angeles, got his BA in English from Santa Clara.
The other half of the House of Charity's National Service crew is our AmeriCorps volunteers. AmeriCorps, which has been described as a domestic Peace Corps, began formally in 1993 with legislation signed by President Clinton, though it traces its roots to 1964 and the advent of VISTA. AmeriCorps operates as a sort of joint venture between the federal government's Corporation for National and Community Service and each state, which together subsidize much of the cost of AmeriCorps volunteers. AmeriCorps in Washington is administered by the Employment Security Department's Washington Service Corps.
This year, the House of Charity is blessed with four great ACs - Kendra Powell, Jake Quinton, Amy Brunner, and Tim Feulner. Kendra, Jake, and Amy are all Gonzaga grads serving their second year at the House of Charity: Kendra was an AmeriCorps volunteer last year too, while Jake and Amy were work study students. This year, Kendra - the unofficial and understated but unmistakable leader of the ACs and JVs -- splits her time between operations and case management. A native of Portland, she graduated from G.U. in 2007 with a degree in sociology. Jake, from St. John, WA, and Amy, from Logan, UT, graduated in May, Jake with a BS in chemistry and Amy with degrees in biology and psychology. Tim, a Gonzaga Prep alum, graduated from Regis University in Denver this year with a BA in political science.
AmeriCorps is different from JVC in several respects. Unlike JVs, who live in community, ACs live independently. Also, ACs apply directly to the agency at which they hope to work, whereas JV candidates apply to JVC, which then assigns them to suitable placements. Additionally, ACs are paid a stipend of $950 monthly to cover all their living expenses. ACs and JVs both receive a $4,725 education award upon successful completion of their term of service, which is a year for JVs and ten-and-a-half months for ACs.
In spite of these differences between the two programs, we at the House of Charity consider JVs and ACs completely indistinguishable. They are the backbone of the House of Charity, providing most of our direct service (the rest of us really exist to support them!). More, these talented and generous young people are the future: they will be leaders in the social services, government, business, and the professions. Doubtless future representatives and perhaps even a senator or two will come from their ranks.
Next time you visit the House of Charity, please introduce yourself to our JVs and ACs - you'll be glad you did and so will they!
Michael Cain
www.catholiccharitiesspokane.org | |
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St. Anne's Children and Family Center preschoolers recently enjoyed an apple-picking, cider-drinking field trip to Hidden Acres Farm in Greenbluff. | |
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Counseling Program...
At A Glance
"The economy is stressing people out," says Director of Counseling Pam Brown. "People are having a hard time finding the money to meet basic needs. And they're having a harder time making it to counseling appointments because they're running out of gas and can't afford the bus." Catholic Charities is grateful that it is still able to offer sliding-scale counseling fees.
A positive new endeavor in the counseling department is a collaboration with the Nurse Family Partnership, in which a nurse goes into a home and does child development assessment and case management for 2 years. At the same time, Catholic Charities counselor Jeff Breno teaches relationship education classes to these low-income, first-time mothers and their partners. Research shows that programs like these result in children being less often abused, neglected or arrested by the time they are 15. The mothers involved have fewer subsequent pregnancies and a better chance of getting a job. This program is one more way in which the Counseling Program is part of the solution.
Jeff Breno enjoys teaches relationship education classes. "Every class is different," he says.
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Poor Man's Meal Highlights 50th Anniversary
On October 5, approximately 250 people came to the Bishop's Poor Man's Meal Open House at the House of Charity. Guests enjoyed cook Callie's minestrone soup and cinnamon rolls as they took tours, visited with each other and staff, and learned about the broad reach of Catholic Charities' services. The event honored the House of Charity's 50th anniversary and supported the Emergency Sleeping Program for homeless men.
Members of the Fairchild Air Force Base Knights of Columbus volunteered to served lunch at the Poor Man's Meal.
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Volunteer View
Catholic Charities Spokane is dependent on its many volunteers who so generously give of their time and talents. Thank you for providing help and creating hope in the
lives of those in need.
Meet Pat Crowe
Pat Crowe, who turned 78 last month, has put in nearly 25,000 hours through Colville's Volunteer Chore Services since 1991. He admits that his original impetus was to get gas money to do errands. After a few years, he realized he didn't need the gas money anymore and intended to quit. Then he thought, "People still need help, so why not keep doing it?" He decided to figure out the finances and realized he was making about 27 cents an hour, "so the money wasn't it. If you were doing it for money, you'd keep working instead." Pat's change of heart is so complete that these days he doesn't even charge the mileage all the time; "You gotta put the money to people who really need it," he explains. Pat says he will continue driving people to their appointments, doing yard work, and monitoring the elderly as long as he feels good.
Seniors served by Volunteer Chore Services in Colville benefit from the long-term compassion shown by Pat Crowe.
Support from
Service Learning Students
Our volunteers consist of retirees, empty nesters, students-people from all walks of life. At this time of year, as well as every spring, we're particularly grateful for the Service Learning students sent to us by the local colleges. Gonzaga, Whitworth, SFCC, and SCC send us students who work a minimum of 15 hours a semester. Usually these students offer their time at the House of Charity, St. Anne's Children and Family Center, or St. Margaret's Shelter. Like other volunteers, the students complete an orientation and a background check as well as a volunteer application. Those who will work at St. Anne's also take a TB test so that we can ensure the safety of the children. Finally, each volunteer has a personal contact with the Volunteer Coordinator at the site. Again, each volunteer saves the agency considerable funds, which we can then turn around and use to meet the needs of another client.
House of Charity Volunteer Coordinator Jerry Schwab visits with a prospective service learning volunteer at the recent Whitworth University Service Fair.
Volunteer Value Grows
Not only do we value our volunteers immensely, but they increase our value tremendously. In 2007 Catholic Charities received over 142,000 volunteer hours. According to the Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org), each volunteer hour in 2007 was worth $19.10. This means that last year we saved $2,712,200 thanks to our wonderful volunteers. Some of our volunteers are on a tight budget themselves. They want to contribute to a cause they care about, but it's not realistic for them to do so financially. Volunteering is a meaningful way for them to give, knowing they're helping others, without compromising their own situations. Because of our volunteers, we are able to affect so many more lives than we could without them. A huge vote of thanks goes out to all of you!
Volunteer Chore Services
Needs You!
Volunteer Chore Services has an ongoing need for volunteers to do light housework for eligible clients (low-income seniors and low-income disabled adults). If you or someone you know can donate a few hours each month, please call the Catholic Charities Senior Services office (328-8400). We appreciate your help and support as we strive to help those in need.
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Mark Your Calendar
November
Wednesdays, November 5, 12 & 19:
Childbirth Education Classes
Sponsored by the Childbirth and Parenting Alone (CAPA) Program, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., St. Anne's Children and Family Center, 25 W. 5th Avenue, Spokane. Call 325-7667 to register.
Monday, November 24, 2008:
Catholic Charities Spokane Christmas Collection
Kick-off Press Conference
10 a.m., House of Charity, 32 W. Pacific Avenue, Spokane. Call 358-4253 for information.
December
December 10-13 & 15-20, 2008:
Christmas Bureau
10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds Agricultural Building,
404 N. Havana.
The Christmas Bureau has been a part of Spokane's Christmas tradition since 1945. Each year from the day after Thanksgiving through December 31st, the Spokesman-Review solicits donations from businesses and individuals for the Christmas Bureau Fund. Donors make their contributions directly to the Spokesman-Review. Those funds purchase toys for children and provide food vouchers and books for needy families who come to the Christmas Bureau.
Christmas Bureau recipients are self-selected. All are welcome, and there are no income specifications. Each address is served one time. All adults served must bring photo ID and proof of address (medical coupons or current utility bill are best). Proof of dependents (all children 17 and under) is required. Medical coupons, a letter from their school, or a letter from a non-profit agency confirming the number and ages of dependents work best.
Catholic Charities Spokane and Volunteers of America manage and operate the Christmas Bureau. Together, more than 300 community volunteers are scheduled, receive a background check, and are trained to welcome families and help make the Bureau run smoothly. In 2007, over 5,700 volunteer hours were given and over $565,000 was donated.
Volunteering at the Christmas Bureau is part of the holiday season for many.
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Thirteen secretaries from parishes in Spokane were honored for their work and collaboration at a lunch at the Davenport Hotel in September. These parish staff field many calls for help, and Catholic Charities assists in providing up-to-date information about the various services available in the community. We also know that a good relationship with these hard-working folks is an important way to communicate with parishioners.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development invites grant applications in November for local organizations with low-income participation to fund community organizing and economic development projects. Organizations such as Transitions, Cancer Patient Care, and Asotin County Legal Services are among recent funding recipients. Call (509) 358-4273 for more information and to request an application.
The Catholicism for a New Millennium speaker series at Gonzaga University invites you to hear Rev. Mark McGregor, SJ, describe his documentary film Posada: A Night to Cross All Borders on Thursday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. Posada focuses on unaccompanied immigrant children who find themselves caught in the politics of immigration in the U.S. The film takes its name from the Advent tradition in the Latino culture of children re-enacting Joseph and Mary's search for shelter, and seeks to support the U.S. Bishops' Justice for Immigrants campaign. It was an official selection of the 2008 World Youth Day Festival in Australia.
For more information, visit www.posadas-project.com.
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