CHARITY

W RKSFALL 2020 INSIDE THIS ISSUE READ THE LATEST ON OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE PG 6-7 RESPECT LIFE MOBILIZES TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF LATE-TERM BAN PG 8-9

BELIEVE in HOPE Help us NOURISH, SHELTER, CLOTHE, HOUSE, COUNSEL, EDUCATE and COMFORT those in need! SAMARITAN HOUSE MERCY 30 YEARS OF

SAM’ S JAM

Sea ed tin it g im L GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! T S AS Y ELL G F 34 YEARS OF MERC IN TM ’ SAM S sUPPER BE A PART OF THE ADVENTURE! — THE MEAL THAT SERVES MANY — With the global impact of COVID-19, many of our sanctioned cycling We continue to monitor the global impact of COVID-19 events have been canceled or postponed for the 2020 cycling season. and will adhere to all local guidelines with best practices Your support remains vital to providing services to those in need. in place for social distancing and food service. JOIN THE LEMONADE PROJECT! PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE The team of 75 riders put together a summer of 5TH ANNUAL SAMARITAN HOUSE self-supported rides in an effort to turn lemons into lemonade! BENEFIT DINNER WITH KYLE DYER, EMCEE Raising funds for Samaritan House and Women’s Emergency Shelter in Denver, The Mission in Fort Collins and Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 6 p.m. The Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley. Mile High Station, 2027 Old West Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204 Join the team or support a rider: honoring SamaritanCycling.org DANIELS FUND He Comes to Serve Award TOM SCHWEIN & TOM DEA - Captain/Co-Captain of Team Samaritan House Courteney Saeman Volunteer of the Year Award Tickets Available Now! SamsSupper.org For more information contact: Event Manager: Erika Kilbarger at [email protected] or 720-799-9290 FOR SPONSORSHIPS AND MORE INFORMATION: Team Captain: Tom Schwein at [email protected] or 303-591-7020 Shelly Saeman at [email protected] or 720.799.9289

PARTNERING WITH YOU TO Beacon SERVE THOSE IN NEED of Hope Gal2021a Save the Date Saturday, January 16, 2021

SAME The Gaylord Rockies GREAT VENUE! Resort & Conference Center 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd. | Aurora, CO 80019 Marisol Services - 10th Annual Benefit Dinner John Neal Kate Crisham Tim Urban Craig Saeman 4:30 Mass Philanthropic Philanthropic Philanthropic Chief Advisor Advisor Advisor Development 5:30 Cocktails, Marketplace Officer 7:00 Dinner and Program

BEACON OF HOPE CONTACT THE TEAM AWARD RECIPIENTS Our philanthropic advisors are available to answer Tim & Martha Reichert your questions and assist with your giving interests. For tickets, sponsorships or donations to the Marketplace Email [email protected] please contact: Shelly Saeman at 720-799-9289 or [email protected] call 720-799-9222 or visit ccdenver.org/development Register online at ccdenver.org/Beacon LETTER FROM THE CEO

BELIEVE IN HOPE WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Friends of Catholic Charities, Visit online at ccdenver.org Welcome to the Fall 2020 edition of Charity Works. Amid the pandemic and its uncertainties, the people and ministries or call 303-742-0828 to learn more, of Catholic Charities have renewed our efforts to serve those in need. We continue to adapt our model for those volunteer or make a donation. experiencing homelessness, because ultimately, our goal is to provide a pathway for women, men and families to find housing and a chance at a new life. In the pages of Charity Works, please meet some of the people we have served recently.

We are humbled by the ongoing support of our donors and volunteers. This issue featured two Heroes of Hope, the Hraban family and 17-year-old high school student Will Seifert. They personify the mission of providing the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to those in need. They recognize the healing ministries as hope.

At Catholic Charities, we believe in hope. It is a hope that our many services will help end the cycle of poverty. It is a hope that a child will not face hunger or fear again. It is a hope that we can be there to support families through challenging times to help them avoid homelessness. If they do experience homelessness, we have hope to restore their dignity and help them on the path of stability.”

Please continue to pray for our clients, staff, supporters and volunteers who serve those in need. We also ask you to join us as we pray for the end of this pandemic and for the health and safety of all.

God bless,

Charity Works is published quarterly by Catholic Charities of Denver, a 501(c)(3) established to serve those in need in Darren A. Walsh northern . As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and President & CEO inspired by God’s love and compassion, Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need. ccdenver.org/newsroom

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Graphic Designer, Shelley Bezek Managing Editor, Cheryl Talley Editor, Nissa LaPoint

MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE CHARITY WORKS PG. 3 FALL 2020 DONOR SPOTLIGHT - WHY THEY GIVE HEROES GIVING BRINGS of GRATITUDE FOR FAMILY HOPE Giving is important to the Hraban family who often practices gratitude.

“Everything we have is a gift from God,” said Janet Hraban, who lives in Windsor with her husband, Jerry, and three daughters. “We are simply giving back to God what is already His.”

After the pandemic hit, the family thought about things they could do while staying at home. Hosting a supply drive at their parish, Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Windsor, became their mission. The church created a flyer and promoted the donation drive through its bulletin and Flocknote. The Hrabans joined another family in posting signs and balloons and setting up a 6-foot distanced donation drop-off via a drive-thru outside the church.

“We figured out a way to do it safely,” she said. “We definitely were in the midst of fear at that point and the church was closed, so we weren’t sure anyone would want to participate. But, as usual, we saw our community at Our Lady of the Valley come together.”

Within two hours, cars dropped donations or checks amounting to about $4,000 worth of supplies, including underwear, socks, bath towels, hygiene items and more. At the end, they delivered a van and truck filled with supplies to Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley to benefit those experiencing homelessness.

“Specifically, during the pandemic, we felt very lifted in the sense that people were not fearful to come and give,” Janet said. “I think that’s great.”

The Hrabans, who own an insurance marketing company, have volunteered and given regularly to Catholic Charities, especially The Mission in Fort Collins and Guadalupe Community Center. When they first moved to Windsor from Omaha about 8 years ago, they volunteered to meet new people in the community. On Thanksgiving Day, they volunteered at The Mission in Fort Collins. That turned into regular cooking and serving meals at The Mission, with Jerry becoming a board member. They have also hosted birthday parties where guests were asked to bring gifts for families staying at the local shelter. They’ve also given financially, including supporting The Mission during the pandemic.

“We feel good giving to an organization that we know well,” she said. “We like to give to Catholic Charities because we feel they are efficiently run, and they know what they are doing.”

The Hrabans hope that other individuals and families of goodwill see the opportunities to give back through Catholic Charities.

“It boils down to a philosophy of wanting to give back all that you’ve Interested in starting a drive? been given,” she said. “Scripture calls those that have the opportunity Please see ccdenver.org/wishlist for the latest need. to take care of each other.”

FALL 2020 PG. 4 CHARITY WORKS MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

STUDENT RAISES $10,000 TO HELP LOCAL SHELTERS

While school was out for the summer, Will Seifert, a rising 17-year-old senior at Cherry Creek High School, wanted to use this time well. He had been pondering ways to help his Interested Find out ways community and went online to do some research. He happened upon a wish list of needs in you can help your at Samaritan House shelter in Denver. He decided to set up a GoFundMe page. With the making a neighbor in need at help of his mother, he set up a bank account because as Will said, “I am actually not old difference? ccdenver.org/volunteer. enough to open it on my own.” He sent out emails to friends, his parents’ offices and neighbors. One of his supporters provided a $1,000 match. Soon, he raised $10,000.

On June 9, he dropped off supplies at the donation center at Catholic Charities’ Samaritan House, the Denver Rescue Mission and Volunteers of America. Among his donations were hand sanitizer, diapers, laundry supplies, baby wipes, disposable plasticware, gift cards and more. This amazing young man helped provide hope to so many people experiencing homelessness.

Will, a high school student, drops off donations at Samaritan House shelter in Denver.

MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE CHARITY WORKS PG. 5 FALL 2020 eamSamaritanHouse_CatholicCharities_provided (7).jpg CCD_RidetheRockiesT

8/11/2020 YOUR COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM

Sharing

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FALL 2020 PG. 6 CHARITY WORKS MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE GO TO CCDENVER.ORG/COVID19

Kinship Caregiver – This ministry, which supports relatives raising children, distributed care packages to the families it serves. One hundred and twenty families also received activity kits for children and teenagers to use over the summer. The kits included materials for 20 crafts with instructions to create slime, finger-paints, marble racing course, and a solar oven to make s’mores. Teen Kits included items like wood crafts, coloring books, glow sticks, snacks, and handheld games. Kinship Caregiver posted the activity kit instructions online at ccdenver.org/kinship. Shelter Services – Working with the City of Denver and community partners, Catholic Charities’ Women’s Emergency Shelter moved women from the Denver Coliseum in early August back to Catholic Charities’ shelter in northeast Denver and to a motel. The overnight shelter was transformed to provide 24/7 shelter and operate under CDC health guidelines. Read more on PG 10. Gabriel House Project – After 10 of 13 locations were closed after the pandemic began and volunteers dwindled, Gabriel House Project began to reopen more locations in July and collect more diapers for families in need. Throughout the pandemic the locations saw a surge of new families seeking help—124 new families at only three open locations. Thanks to generous businesses and nonprofits, we were able to meet the need and surpassed 400,000 diapers collected by April for eventual distribution. That’s a record number compared to 2019’s total of 375,000 diapers collected. Little Flower Assistance Center – A generous donor gift enabled the food bank in Aurora to provide food and diapers to two other locations in Denver and Brighton. The expansion helped meet the demand for new families seeking help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Samaritan House – New families are welcomed to the shelter in Denver as CDC guidelines allowed more people to congregate in spaces that provide services. Also, construction began on other floors of the shelter to update the aging facility, renovate the veterans part of the shelter and more areas to better meet the needs of residents. See more and donate to the $6 million renovation project at samhousedenver.org/renovation. Team Samaritan House – Even though many cycling rides and tours were cancelled for the year due to the pandemic, the team of riders started their own ‘Lemonade Project’ to continue their rides and raise funds for those experiencing homelessness. Follow their progress at and find a rider to support atsamaritancycling.org . Community Services – The School Supply Drive returned this year to collect backpacks and supplies for low-income children in need. Five parishes collected supplies and donations were collected online to provide the educational tools through Catholic Charities’ ministries. Marisol Health – After closing its doors during the pandemic and providing services via telehealth, the two Marisol Health medical clinics, in Denver and Lafayette, reopened to patients. Early Childhood Education – In June, staff reopened three locations at 50 percent capacity and hope to reopen three more locations in the fall.

MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE CHARITY WORKS PG. 7 FALL 2020 RESPECT LIFE DENVER GO TO RESPECTLIFEDENVER.ORG

Colorado voters urged to ban Mothers share their stories of pregnancy late-term at the ballot complications. Read more in November Q online at CW:& What can supporters expect from Respect Life Denver to respectlifedenver.org. “I urge all Catholics to get involved in this effort!” Archbishop educate and encourage voters in support of Proposition 115? Samuel J. Aquila of the Archdiocese of Denver has written. A Pressured Teen Mother Grandon: We will provide educational resources, podcasts, memes, links, personal stories and testimonies from families I was a young mom on Proposition 115 (formerly known as Initiative 120) would ban . I was told that abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy, changing the current who faced challenges that coincide with situations that my baby had a Down Colorado law that allows babies to be aborted for any reason up surround this proposition, as well as ideas and suggestions Syndrome diagnosis, so I of what people can do to spread the truth and encourage a was given counseling for to birth. The proposition allows for an exception if the mother’s an abortion. They said, life is at risk. Under the proposed statutory change, a physician historic vote in our state of Colorado. “You can get rid of it.” I was performing a prohibited abortion could be subject to a naïve and asked, “How can CW: A month before the November election, on Oct. 5, you get a baby that big out three-year license suspension, but it would not impose any Colorado will celebrate Frances Xavier Cabrini Day. Mother of you?” When she crudely penalty on a woman receiving an abortion. Cabrini, who died in 1917 and was canonized in 1946, cared explained what was done, I refused. At my delivery “This is a great opportunity to limit the assault on children in the for the whole person and dedicated her life to works of mercy. there were 7 doctors in womb,” said Deacon Bennett, Vice President of Parish & Community What is the significance of this day and its relevance to the room, as the baby was considered at risk for Relations at Catholic Charities, which includes Respect Life protecting life in Colorado? If Mother Cabrini were with us today, she would be cardiac problems, but she Denver. “Colorado has allowed the killing of the unborn up Grandon: was born perfectly healthy. until birth since 1967.” at the forefront - championing this effort. Her life is an example The best part of this story of how Catholicism impacts society: by honoring humanity’s is this baby has [grown up Colorado was the first state to eliminate abortion restrictions and needs of body, mind and spirit with churches, schools, hospitals and] graduated from it remains a destination for late-term abortions. However, this Duke University and is now and orphanages. She, and we, stress that the Church upholds starting Med School in could change if a majority of voters approve Proposition 115 the dignity of every human life - at every age and every stage. Rochester, NY. - Lynda on Nov. 3. This would undoubtedly include the most vulnerable among Surgery at 1 day old! us, who are pregnant moms at risk of abortion and the unborn. During a routine ultra- Lynn Grandon, Program Director for Respect Mother Cabrini upheld the values of the Church, and her sound scan, Michele knew Life Denver, shares more about the proposition Church is still here standing for the same values, morals, and something wasn’t right. The doctor confirmed that and what to expect in the coming weeks. determination to protect every human life. We need to take this her unborn child had opportunity to remind Coloradans of her contributions and tie it Congenital Cystic to this historic vote for 2020. Adenomatoid Malformation Charity Works: The petition received support from (one of his lungs was full CW: How can people get involved in supporting of cysts). She was told that registered voters—Republicans, Democrats and Unaffiliated while the baby was inside alike—who signed to put it on the ballot. What would you say Proposition 115? her, he’d be fine, but when are common misconceptions about abortion in Colorado? Grandon: First, make sure you are registered to vote. You can born he may not be able to breathe. Routine visits were Lynn Grandon: The predominant response during signature check that at respectlifedenver.org, the homepage of our website. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in early hard for her to see other gathering was surprise and disbelief that our state has allowed happy mothers, feeling that abortions through all nine months of pregnancy. Our public’s October. Do all you can in these next two months. We need this would be her only time with this child. reaction follows the trend of the nation, which agrees with to reach those in our spheres of influence (friends, relatives, limitations on late-term abortions. associates, neighbors) on the necessity to end the barbarism When he was born, he cried, of late-term abortion in our state. Promote VOTE YES on Prop. and everyone else cried as CW: What can you say about the volunteer efforts? 115, including the hashtag #YesOn115 on social media. Share well. When he was only 1 Grandon: Volunteers gathering petition signatures were our website resources. Contact your parish (or Catholic school) day old, he had two-thirds of his lung removed and utterly heroic in spite of the pandemic. We were charged with and make sure they are encouraging parents to vote YES on spent 5 weeks in the NICU. gathering 10,000 more signatures during the stay at home Proposition 115. Make phone calls, use social media, get creative! He came off of oxygen at orders from the Colorado governor in only a two-week time Make our voices heard acknowledging the eternal value of all just a few months old. By age 7, his lung had frame. Creative and determined teams across the state set human life. When future generations look back at this time and completely grown back. Now up at grocers, hardware and home improvement stores, etc. ask, ‘What did you do to protect those little ones?’...What will you he is a typical 13 year old. ...places where people ‘had to go.’ The totals were nothing say? Brothers and sisters, let’s rise up together, right now, and Michele says, “Don’t let short of miraculous- 48,000 signatures were added. bravely change society for good right here in Colorado. an adverse diagnosis discourage you!’

FALL 2020 PG. 8 CHARITY WORKS MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE SUPPORT PROPOSITION 115 GO TO HELPMOMSAVEBABY.COM

Monday, Oct. 5, will be “Frances Xavier Cabrini Day,” a “new state holiday in Colorado in place of Columbus Day,” signed into law in March.

COLORADO BISHOPS: LATE-TERM ABORTION BAN UNDER PATRONAGE OF Nicole Hunt smiles with her daughter, Taylor. Nicole is a wife, a mother to four children, and an attorney. ST. FRANCES CABRINI She lives in Colorado with her family and is passionate about helping moms and saving babies.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, known as Mother Cabrini, dedicated her life to caring for orphaned and Help Mom Save Baby: Vote Yes on immigrant children, including in Colorado. Proposition 115 to end late-term

The four bishops of Colorado have placed the proposed abortion in Colorado late-term abortion ban in “During her first pregnancy, Nicole, a wife and attorney in Colorado, developed a life-threatening Colorado under her patronage. condition known as preeclampsia and her doctors ordered an emergency delivery to save her life and the life of her baby. Nicole was only 27 weeks along in the pregnancy when her daughter, “We, the bishops of Colorado, implore Coloradans— especially Taylor, was born,” according to HelpMomSaveBaby.com. the Catholic faithful— to vote for the late-term abortion ban during “Due to Nicole’s pregnancy complications, Taylor was only the size of a 24-week baby. the November elections,” they Today Taylor is a happy, thriving, and creative 11-year-old girl.” wrote in a letter. “We ask Mother Cabrini to intercede on behalf of Read the full story of Nicole and Taylor at HelpMomSaveBaby.com. That website is a all the families and children project of the Coalition to Help Moms and Save Babies, an issue committee supporting directly impacted by abortion, and for the success of the effort the late-term abortion ban. Respect Life Denver supports and encourages donations to the to prohibit late-term abortion.” Coalition to Help Moms and Save Babies. Donations to that effort, which are separate from Catholic Charities and not tax-deductible, may be made at helpmomsavebaby.com/donate.

MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE CHARITY WORKS PG. 9 FALL 2020 SHELTER SERVICES GO TO CCDENVER.ORG/SHELTERS

Refugees flee and find help at Samaritan House Adela and her 16-year-old son are refugees. Originally escaping the violence and poverty in Rwanda, they migrated to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world, with no opportunities for them. In addition, it was equally dangerous for the family. They came to America with hopes of a better life.

With limited ability to speak English and no family to assist, they found themselves homeless. But then they were introduced to Samaritan House shelter. While residing there, Adela found a part-time job cleaning an office building and was able to save money. Liz, their case manager, found services to support the family through The Village Institute for immigrants in Aurora.

They also found her and her son supportive housing that will help her learn English, find a full-time job and receive trauma therapy given the violence they witnessed in their country. After 103 days at Samaritan House, Adela is so thankful.

“I pray every day thanking God and Samaritan House for helping me,” she said. “It was so cold outside, and we froze at night. I am so grateful for Samaritan House and Liz. Finally, we will have peace.”

Adela

FALL 2020 PG. 10 CHARITY WORKS MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE SHELTER SERVICES GO TO CCDENVER.ORG/SHELTERS

What is Shelter Services? UPDATES! Catholic Charities provides hope to individuals and families Women’s shelter makes move experiencing homelessness by The Denver Coliseum is no longer being utilized as a Women’s Emergency Shelter. With support from the providing love, safety, shelter, City of Denver and other community partners, the women will be provided 24/7 shelter at three different clothing, food and services to help locations. Catholic Charities’ Women’s Emergency Shelter will offer space for up to 82 guests in northeast rebuild their lives and restore Denver. Accommodations for 145 guests will be provided at the two motels with Catholic Charities’ staff dignity. Our approach of mercy managing one of the motel’s shelter programs. Combined with the Women’s Emergency Shelter in northeast and compassion encourages Denver, Catholic Charities staff are serving up to a total of 167 women guests. The shelter and motels enable trusted relationships to form— continued social distancing and optimal safety to help keep women safe and healthy. All meals, security and and heal wounds caused by health services will be provided in all locations. trauma. Samaritan House in Denver, Women’s Emergency Shelter, Marisol Homes, Guadalupe Samaritan House Community Center in Greeley and construction progresses The Mission in Fort Collins all Samaritan House began phase 2 of its provide overnight shelter and three-year renovation plan in May. an extended stay program. Significant capital improvements are needed on the aging building to help serve those in greatest need and REBUILD ensure a dignified living space. AND Construction will continue through the end of 2020 with health and safety in mind - including following RESTORE all policies and procedures RENOVATION PROJECT related to COVID-19. The Veterans Program and Family Services Program Updates on the have remained operational during Construction crews paint inside Samaritan House. Renovation Project the renovation. Visit: samhousedenver.org/ Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley renovation Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley continues its new Hospital to Home Program. With a capacity of six participants at a time, Guadalupe has successfully placed 15 people into permanent housing over this past year.

Guadalupe Community Center cold weather emergency shelter moved to meet social distancing guidelines to the Island Grove building in order to continue social distancing guidelines. After extending the shelter for more than a month, it closed on May 29. With the fall just around the corner, a search is underway for a cold weather shelter for the winter.

The Mission manages new motel The staff at The Mission began management of a non-congregate shelter in a motel in Fort Collins to continue to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

MANY MINISTRIES, ONE PURPOSE – TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE CHARITY WORKS PG. 11 FALL 2020 Will you help a local family in need?

$50 could provide a night of safety and more.

Marcela, while pregnant with her fourth child, received devastating news that her husband was diagnosed with ALS. Recently laid off and afraid, she lost hope for the future of her family until she found the Samaritan House.

It costs only $50 to provide a night of safe shelter and care. Your generous gift will give needed help to a family like Marcela’s.

Donate at ccdenver.org/help