We have arrived!  We have arrived to sunny days, warmer weather, green grass, and blooming trees.  It feels positive and hopeful; it feels energizing and inspiring.  We have also "arrived" in our newly renovated Family Services Center where our clients can access 11 different programs under one roof and all of the services they need in one location.   The building is beautiful and functional - it is a place for the ages and a place that will serve all ages from birth to eternal life. 

The Betty Wheeler Chapel, designed and built by Monsignor Ribble, has arrived.  So has the Donna Hanson Memorial Atrium, with design and art work by Ken Spiering, Donna's favorite artist.  The Mac Hudson Conference Room and the Msgr. Frank Bach Conference Room have arrived to honor two special, long-time Catholic Charities friends.  The New Leaf Café has arrived in our lobby where homeless and formerly homeless women are learning to cook, bake, and be baristas, thanks to our long-time partner, Transitions. The sky-lights are in, and literally dozens of staff who have spent years in basement offices with no windows now need sun shades over their computer screens because there is so much warmth and sunlight.  What a nice problem to have!  Additional arrivals are the planters on the roof where the St. Margaret's Shelter garden project will soon plant vegetables.  As well, we have locker rooms and showers that were already in the building before the renovation.  Our staff can bike to work or take a jog at lunch and still arrive at their desk refreshed and energized. 

The arrivals don't stop there, however.  The House of Charity sleeping program WILL be open this summer, after fears that we could not find a way to do it financially.  A new grant in Walla Walla has arrived allowing us to add a much-needed Immigration case-manager there. Our first annual Catholic Charities Gala arrived a few weeks ago and was sold out with 467 guests being the first to screen the arrival of our Catholic Charities video which will help us fight the challenge that we are the best kept secret in Eastern Washington!  Dozens of pastors arrived recently to a special workshop helping them deal with returning veterans who may have P.T.S.D. and need a special embrace by their parish.  Our annual audit arrived and we once again had a clean opinion telling us we are truly excellent stewards of the resources entrusted to us.  We continue to help young moms choose life and healthy babies continue to arrive at CAPA.  Other infants arrive at St. Anne's so parents can go to work and build lives for their families, with the comfort in knowing their kids are in safe care.  After a careful advocacy battle with the State, our Senior Services funding, which had been completely cut, arrived back into the budget at the eleventh hour, allowing us to continue to serve thousands of seniors in the 13 counties we serve. 

Indeed, many good, important arrivals; all amidst the worst economy since the great depression, against popular culture, and a national media that at times seems driven to  paint nothing but negative, fear-inspiring and catastrophic pictures.  We challenge that.  We don't accept that.  For 97+ years our clients have taught us the only lessons we truly need to know here at Catholic Charities:  anything is possible...the steeper the hill to be climbed, the more uplifted we can feel when we make it to the top, even if it is only to see yet another, steeper hill on the horizon.

Thanks to all of you for helping us continue to "arrive" a little bit more each day.

Many prayers,

Rob
Rob McCann