February 2009 atholic Charities

Celebratingonnects 40 Years of Service to the Community th nnuCal t atrick s ay ala Catholic Charities 8 A S . P ’ D G

Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 6 PM Celebrates 40 years of Service DoubleTree World Arena While the Diocese of In Housing, Head Start and Share 1775 Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard Colorado Springs celebrates Colorado were begun with the its’ 25th anniversary this year, support of Catholic Charities and Cocktails, Silent & Big Board Auctions Catholic Charities celebrates are now independent, thriving Buffet Dinner of Genuine Irish Fare its’ 40th year of service to organizations in our community. the community of Colorado By 1993, the 25th Live Auction featuring trips to: Breckenridge, Hawaii, Springs. The agency has seen Anniversary of CSCCS, and Ireland, a Notre Dame Football Game, Southwest many changes through the programs included Children’s Services which included Airlines tickets, a Car, custom jewelry, an Oriental Carpet, years such as name changes, children’s services, pregnancy $2,500 in Construction, and $2,500 in New Carpet program additions, deletions counseling and adoptions (Go to www.ccharitiescs.org/stpatsauction for complete listing) and expansions. But the one services; budget counseling; constant of Catholic Charities Ministry to People with Dance to the sounds of One More Shot has been the delivery of services Tickets are $95 Per Person which includes a Drink Voucher Disabilities, Family Counseling, to help those in our community the Campaign for Human ($45 tax deductible) who need help the most. Development; and Social Auction items such as restaurant certificates, quilts and Colorado Springs Social Ministry. entertainment items are still needed. To donate, please call 719.866.6443. Services, the original name, was In 1994, CSCCS took over formed in October 1968 when the operations of the Marian House Archdiocese of Denver provided Soup Kitchen from the Bijou 719.866.6422 For Reservations funding for a social services Community and by 1995, meals office in Colorado Springs were being served to about 275 based on consistent requests ou To Our S people per day. Marian House ank Y ponsor from community members and Client Services moved into the Th s Catholic pastors in the area. Presenting Sponsor building to help the clients of Some of the original programs the soup kitchen, as well as those included child welfare services, who were already being served budget counseling, counseling in the Information & Referral for ex-convicts, and ministries program. The Family Literacy Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors to the Hispanic community, Project was formed this same homemakers and senior citizens. Gold Sponsors ABC Bank year and began offering English Central Bancorp After the Diocese of ENT Lawn Doctor as a Second Language classes to El Pomar O’Briens Carpet One Colorado Springs was created adult immigrants. Penrose-St. Francis Health Services The Diocese of Colorado Springs in 1984, youth services and In 1999, the Life Support Phil Long Dealerships David & Peggy Taylor a Family Life Office were Center, an independent agency Carrier Financial Services LLC Secruity Servcie Federal Credit Union The Colorado Springs Flea Market added. In 1986, the agency was providing emergency services Ryan Glass, Inc. reincorporated under the name to families with children since Green Shamrock TAEUS of Colorado Springs Catholic 1976, was incorporated into the Michael J. Wolfe, CLU, ChFC, MSFS Community Services (CSCCS) agency. Today, the Life Support The Patterson Group U.S. Bank and soon offered a licensed child Center is part of the Marian Invitation Sponsor Media Sponsors placement program. House brand and annually Non-profits such as Partners KPB Commercial Printing distributes more than 1,535 cans (See 40th on page 2) Providing Help. Creating Hope. For What and For Whom Shall We Give? The New ...And Sometimes Why? Marian House We’re almost there! “A Bridge to New Beginnings” Capital Campaign for The New Marian House complex has experienced Dear Friends very compelling support from people in our community. And, because of your generosity; less than $1 million is needed to It has been told that during her visit to New South Wales, Blessed reach the fund-raising goal of $7.3 million. Mother Theresa was attended by a Franciscan monk who was elated to serve as her attaché for the nun’s visit. Most of her visit ran at a frantic The New Marian House offers vital support for those who pace and never afforded the monk an opportunity to visit with her as he are homeless or living in poverty in our city. As the number so desired. of families and individuals seeking help increases, the services Her tour had concluded and she prepared to depart to New Guinea. offered through the Marian House programs are evermore Frustrated by not having any time with Mother Theresa, the monk offered critical. The new facility will greatly improve Catholic to pay his own airfare so long as he could sit next to her on the flight to Charities’ ability to assist those who are in need, particularly talk and learn from her. The founding member of the Sisters of those who are motivated to move out of poverty and toward queried if the monk had enough money to pay for airfare to New Guinea. higher levels of self-sufficiency. Excitedly he responded, “Yes.” Her response: “Then give that money to The new soup kitchen opened its’ doors on June, 2008 the poor. You’ll learn more from that than anything I can tell you.” and is currently serving between 700 and 800 meals per day. So what exactly can we learn from giving to the poor? Perhaps a This is a 50% increase over the same period a year ago, which better question is what can we learn about ourselves in giving to the demonstrates the effect the economy is having on the most poor? vulnerable in our community. Construction of The New Marian Maimonides was a twelfth century Jewish scholar who established a House Self Sufficiency Center is underway and anticipated scale of the eight levels of “” or “justice.” So what does justice to be completed by mid-March. have to do with giving to the poor? Quite simply, justice is something If you would like to get involved in the campaign, please that goes beyond charity. contact Kirsten Casebolt at 719.866.6424 or go to www. According to Maimonides the levels of justice are as follows: helpmarianhouse.org to make an on-line . 1. Give to the poor, but doing so reluctantly; Thank you again for your generosity and support! 2. Give to the poor happily, but inadequately; 3. Give to the poor after being asked; (40th cont’d) 4. Give to the poor without or before being asked; of formula, 10,130 jars of baby food, 45,440 diapers and 56,200 5. Give to the poor with the beneficiary knowing who you are but items of children’s clothing as well as limited maternity clothing, allowing the person to know your identity; baby furniture, layettes, Birthday Buddies and a Christmas Gift 6. Give to the poor knowing who they are, but not allowing the Program. person to know who you are; In July 2002, Marian House Community Outreach was a one 7. Give to the poor without knowing who the beneficiary is and day-a-week program, but by 2003 due to demand, had expanded without allowing the person to know who you are; to a five day-a-week program with a full-time manager. This 8. Strengthening the poor person in a way that allows them to be ministry regularly used the truck from the soup kitchen and the self-sufficient. Outreach Managers’ personal truck to be able to meet the need. In When examining the Maimonides standard, I find myself greatly the summer of 2005, Community Outreach purchased a 15 foot challenged about my own giving and motivation for giving. I am guessing box truck partially funded with grant money. Today, Community many who read this column would experience the same challenge. Outreach has one part time and three full time staff members and As so many are adversely affected by the current economic downturn, distributes goods and services to a 10 county area. we are forced to examine our own giving habits. Our habits, however, On October 1, 2002, CSCCS changed its name to Catholic shouldn’t be determined by “how much” so much as “why” we give. Charities of Colorado Springs to be consistent with and part of, the To put it succinctly, I offer the words of pop-music icon and anti- Catholic Charities USA network. In 2005, the Board of Directors poverty activist, Bono. Hosted at the White House for the National Day commissioned “A Bridge to New Beginnings” capital campaign for of Prayer his keynote address was summed up in these two sentences: The New Marian House, to build a new Marian House and renovate “It’s not about charity. It’s about justice.” the current building for a self-sufficiency center. The plan has since I am so grateful for the generous gifts that have been given to Catholic changed to build a new, more efficient building rather then renovate Charities. Every donation that is given goes to creating a more caring, the existing building. The campaign has raised over $6 million, and more importantly, a more just community. opened the doors to the new soup kitchen on June 9, 2008 and will Thank you to all who support Catholic Charities of Colorado open the doors to the new self sufficiency center in March 2009. Springs. Fund-raising efforts are expected to be completed in 2009. Inevitably, there will be expansions and changes in the programs and services in the coming years, but one thing is certain: Jason Catholic Charities will always be the charitable arm of the Diocese How Your Generous Help Santa Claus Comes to the and King Soopers. Additionally, twelve to tell Barbara he was training to become Marian House Soup Kitchen LSC families were sponsored by Golden an Air Traffic Controller. Corral, Downtown Post Office, Penrose/ Barbara says, “I have been blessed to be Marian House Family Room guests St. Francis, Lockheed Martin, St. Mary’s able to care for and be a part of so many were surprised on Christmas Eve when and an individual in our community this little lives. They have taught me so much they arrived to find Santa giving out toys Christmas. about loving and letting go, but above all and stockings During the week of December 15th, else, what a miracle each precious life is. It to the children. clients came during their appointed hour is an honor to be even a small part of such a Throughout to pick up gifts for their children. They personal journey in the life of a child.” the weeks left with bicycles, clothing, dolls, trucks, leading up to wrapping paper, etc. Mac Gets a Surprise Birthday C h r i s t m a s , For the past 12 years, LSC has been Party at the Marian House volunteers and helping families have a Merry Christmas organizations through the Christmas Gift Program. The Mac, a decorated WWII veteran who began dropping purpose is to have parents pick up the fought in the Battle of the Bulge veteran off toys for the gifts, then give them to the child from who has been coming to the Marian House Marian House themselves. This strengthens the parent- for years, celebrated c h i l d r e n . child bond and makes the parent feel a his 98th birthday at Marian House arranged to have Santa stop little better by being able to give the child the Marian House on by, even though this was his busiest day of a gift from themselves, rather than from December 29th. The the year, to spread some special cheer to the someone else. staff surprised him with children who came by for lunch. Pictures a big glass of chocolate of the children were also taken with Santa, Life Connections Makes milk and a birthday cake! prompting one mother to run out to the car to Life-Long Connections Mac still comes everyday get her daughters “party dress”! Thank you to have his noon time to all who made this possible. Barbara O’Connell, the Catholic meal and socialize with Charities Life Connections Cradle Care friends. Mac on his 98th birthday Marian House Community Mom, has cared for 132 babies since 1982 Outreach Distributes Holiday while they wait for permanent homes with Family Immigration Services Food Baskets one of our adoptive families. Fulfills Dream for Little Girl The holidays are particularly special Marian House Community Outreach because Barbara usually gets updates Every year, the volunteers & staff of delivered over 45 baskets of food, complete from many of the children she cared for the ESL program give the children of the with a ham or turkey and all the trimmings as newborns. Some of these “children” students a gently used or new book for for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also are now mothers and fathers, soldiers Christmas. Research shows that having gave out 70 turkeys to families in need. who have been to Iraq, young adults who books in the home is the key to literacy and The families who receive this support are just beginning their lives, or still in better performance usually have a home, whether it’s a hotel, school. in school. motel, apartment or shared living space, One special young lady who is now One little girls’ but would not be able to afford a special in her twenties, has been able to take a dream was to have meal to celebrate the holidays without the public van to a workshop by herself and the book, Olive, the help of Community Outreach. is moving into a group home that will Other Reindeer. One child especially wanted a bicycle allow her to become more independent. She talked about it so James Dixon, the community outreach She usually calls Barbara close to Mothers at the ESL childcare manager, was searching for one on Day because she wants her “old mom” to class because she Christmas Eve so he could make the child’s know how she is doing. had read a copy of wish come true. “We try to meet the needs There have been graduation and the book at school of our clients everyday, but at Christmas, wedding announcements, thank you letters and just loved it. it is particularly important to try to make and phone calls to share information and So, the search dreams come true,” said Dixon. plans for the future. One young man called began to find that book. When she received it at the Marian House Life Support Christmas party, she squealed with delight Center Makes Christmas Special and started reading right away and showing it to all the other children. The Marian House Life Support Center Because of the culture gap, her parents (LSC) was able to help 402 children didn’t realize how popular this book was. with Christmas gifts as a result of the That is part of what our ESL classes are support of Lockheed Martin, Holy Trinity designed to do: not only teach English, but Church, Corpus Christi Church, Boeing help immigrants assimilate to our culture.

Barbara O’Connell with some of her “kids”. Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Providing Help. PAID Creating Hope. Colo Spgs. CO ‘Permit #267

Catholic Charities Connects is published four times a year. No article in this publication may be reprinted in whole or in part without permission of the editor. 2009 Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs 228 North Cascade Colorado Springs, CO 80903 T: 719-636-2345 F: 719-636-1216 www.ccharitiescs.org Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs is a non-profit organization serving people in need.

The Marian House Needs Metal Spoons. Please call 719.866.6552 if you can help! News Digest Did You Know: Where Does Your money Go? • Catholic Charities accepts donated cars? In fact, we take the donated cars, perform routine maintenance on them and then give them to clients who are in need of a vehicle to get to work or transport a family. • Catholic Charities always has volunteer opportunities? Go to www.ccharitiescs.org/volunteer for more information • You can purchase Fair Trade coffees at St. Gabriels, St. Patricks, Holy Apostles, St. Francis, Scared Heart and St. Mary’s? Some of these Parishes offer other Fair Trade products as well, so call the specific Parish for information on selling times. • The Marian House programs - Soup Kitchen, Community Outreach, Client Services and Life Support Center are always in need of In an economy where every penny counts, Catholic donations? Specifically, meat, fresh produce (fruit & vegetables), milk, coffee and spices, canned fruits and vegetables, clothing Charities is a very good place to send your charitable (childrens’, adults - mainly mens’ & maternity), diapers (sized 3 - 5), dollars. Your money stays in your community, formula (with iron), baby food, furniture and small appliances, mens’ providing food, clothing and other vital services to large socks, underwear, boots, coats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc. neighbors who are most in need. • Catholic Charities is always in need of blankets? Recently, It’s so effective and well-managed, it has been rated Amylyn Thayer and Cassidy Fahey dropped by to deliver blankets the students from Colorado Springs Christian School had made as a top charity by 3 independent organizations: The part of a leadership class. The girls enlisted the help of the student NonProfit Times, The Chronicle of ‘s body to help make the blankets. While they could do any project 400 and ’s Holiday Giving Guide. that utilized leadership Of all the places you could give, give where it will do skills, they chose to do a the most good. service project to benefit children. They made 15 Visit us online at www.ccharitiescs.org. blankets and worked on them after school as a Call (719) 866-6440 group. These blankets will be distributed through the Life Support Providing Help. Center to children in Creating Hope. need.

Amylyn Thayer and Cassidy Fahey deliver blankets to Carole McConnellogue at LSC.