November 2013

www.CatholicCharitiesLA.org • ISSN 1551-9112 San Gabriel Region Premieres “Wings of Love” ver 100 guests attended the Gerry Straub captures, on film, Catholic premiere of “Wings of Love” at Charities’ spirit, compassion and love for O Holy Family Catholic Church in the poor. The work of Catholic Charities South Pasadena. The film portrays the work to alleviate the affliction of the needy is of Catholic Charities in the San Gabriel highlighted in the film. Straub states, “When Attendees at the Partnership in Service Awards Region through the stories and lives of the people have to beg or go hungry, or sleep Dinner included, left to right: Fr. Larry Gosselin, O.F.M., Associate Pastor, Santa Barbara Mission individuals and families they serve. outside, they are forced to live like animals, and a new Catholic Charities’ advisory board “Wings of Love” is about God’s call to all not people. Catholic Charities provides what member; Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J., Director, people need so that they understand and live Homeboy Industries; and Msgr. Emigdio Herrera, the faithful to care for persons in need as Pastor, St. John Neumann, Santa Maria. one would care for Christ. It challenges their dignity as children of God. Catholic comfort zones and calls each one to account Charities is a vibrant example of the necessity Santa Barbara County for the way people suffer, especially in the and power of compassion.” Hosts Volunteer San Gabriel Region. Catholic Charities will soon have a curriculum available for use with the film Recognition Dinner to teach people of all ages about local needs, atholic Charities’ Santa Barbara God’s call to serve, and practical ways to C County’s annual Partnership answer His call. Produced in chapters, in Service Awards Celebration “Wings of Love” lends itself well to a single recognized the fruitful collaboration workshop featuring a short film segment between parishes and Catholic with accompanying reflection, or as a Charities when individuals from 14 several-week series about practicing social justice in one’s own neighborhood. Catholic communities gathered at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott to A homeless mother and her infant child get help with Catholic Charities’ San Gabriel Region is baby food and diapers at San Gabriel Region's San grateful to all the sponsors for the project, acknowledge the good works of 36 Juan Diego Center. parish volunteers. especially Rosemarie and John McGuire, A collaborative project of Catholic Charities’ and Hall and Olivia Evans who were major The keynote speaker, Fr. Greg Boyle San Gabriel Region and Pax et Bonum donors. For a copy of the film, or for more of Homeboy Industries, provided Communications, the film was produced, information, please contact Mary Romero the audience with an account of his written and directed by Gerard Thomas or Anne Wrotniewski at 323-266-3130 involvement in establishing that very Straub, a renowned advocate for ending or by email at [email protected] or effective non-profit organization, global poverty. [email protected]. ✤ relaying several poignant anecdotes, with the message that “giving” works in both directions and, when that plays In This Issue... out, everyone is immensely uplifted. Message from the Executive Director...... page 2 For more information, or for volunteer Suzanna Guzman to Give Vocal Performance at Christmas Gala...... page 2 opportunities, please call Catholic CYO Launches Sports Development Fund ...... page 3 Charities’ Santa Barbara Community CYO Champions Honored at Dodger Stadium...... page 3 Services at 805-965-7045. ✤ Summer Camp Held at Brownson House ...... page 4 Message from the Executive Director, Monsignor Gregory A. Cox Time for a Year os Angeles is home to 1,350 which include approximately End Review? 120,000 members. Our gangs are Asian (Black Dragons), African American (), Hispanic () and White (Public L Include Us in Your Planning. Enemy No.1). Last year, there were approximately 270 gang related killings. We read the newspapers and watch television news about innocent victims As we approach year-end, remember who lose their lives because of drive-by shootings. that there’s still time to lower your tax bill through a gift to Catholic There are a number of ways to address gang violence in the three counties Charities of , Inc. of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The one that Catholic Charities proposes is gang prevention. The goal of this program is to reach the youth at Your tax deduction will equal the full an early age before they join a gang. Catholic Charities would use our existing value of your gift to us. If you give sites, scattered throughout the three counties, to provide programs such as appreciated securities, you’ll get the education, mentoring, spirituality, athletics, case management and family additional benefit of using an asset that counseling. We would work in partnership with the parishes, law enforcement costs less than the deduction it will and other agencies to provide these services. return, with no capital gains liability. This is also a good time to review No one organization can resolve the gang problem in our communities, but your estate planning, If you update the Church can play a major role in addressing this issue at its roots. We your will, remember the benefits of a marry, baptize, educate and provide supportive communities that enhance bequest to Catholic Charities. You’ll family life. Our normal contact with gang related issues is at the funerals of be building our future financial gang victims. We need to invest our resources in education and programs strength without affecting your that work as deterrents to gang involvement. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles current assets or cash flow. has 287 parishes, 208 elementary schools and 26 high schools. These are the invaluable resources with which Catholic Charities plans to collaborate, You may contact Alexandria utilizing our personnel and programs in providing children and families with Arnold, Chief Development and social options other than joining a gang. ✤ Communications Officer, at [email protected] or (213) 251-3495.

(Not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice.) Suzanna Guzman to Give Vocal Performance at Christmas Gala DONATE THAT OLD CAR! IT CAN WORK MIRACLES!

atholic Charities' annual City of Angels Christmas C Gala will be held on Friday, December 6, 2013 at The California Club in downtown Los Angeles. Highlights of the evening will include a special vocal performance by Grammy-nominated East Los Angeles native Suzanna Guzman, accomplished mezzo-soprano It’s Easy! Catholic Charities will and host of Open Call on KCET. arrange to sell your car and the Proceeds will benefit the poor children and families proceeds will help those in need. served by the community centers of Catholic Charities. Call toll free to (855) 370-4483 or visit For more information about the Christmas Gala, please www.CatholicCharitiesLA.org and call (213) 251-3495. ✤ click on the car icon on the Home Page. CYO Launches Sports Development Fund atholic Youth Organization (CYO), a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., launched C the Sports Development Fund program with a $35,000 grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. CYO worked closely with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Catholic Education Foundation in the formation of the program and the administration of grant funds. The Sports Development Fund helped start new programs in boys’ and girls’ soccer, softball, and boys’ volleyball. The participating schools received uniforms and equipment for up to two sports per school, and were given funds to cover costs for registration, officials, facilities, “Play Like a Champion” coaches’ training, and coaches’ stipends. The CYO program benefitted 13 schools that met the requirements for participation in the program, which involved commitment to field a new team, to provide a coach, and to ensure that boys and girls participate. Jamie De Rose, CYO Associate Program Director (left), and James McGoldrick, CYO Director, coordinated the implementation of the Sports Development Fund. “The softball season was a wonderful experience for the girls,” said Dr. Joan Shoff, principal of St. Patrick School. “They made a big students. Thank you, CYO!” improvement of their skills over the season.” CYO will be extending the Sports Development Fund program Carolina Gomez, principal of Assumption School in Los Angeles, for boys’ and girls’ basketball in the next school year. For more likewise expressed gratitude and said, “We are very fortunate to information about the program, please call the CYO office at have been given the opportunity to offer two more sports to our (213) 251-3454. ✤ CYO Champions Honored at Dodger Stadium The 2012-2013 Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Champions were recognized at the Annual Awards Banquet held at Dodger Stadium. Awards were given for various sports, Overall Athletic Achievement (Director’s Cup), Male and Female Athletes of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

Sports Champions • Girls Volleyball – American Martyrs Youth participants learn sportsmanship and camaraderie through competitive athletics. • Flag Football – Beatitudes of Our Lord • Bowling – Corpus Christi Director’s Cup (Overall Athletic Achievement) • Cross Country - Beatitudes of Our Lord • CYO - American Martyrs • Girls Basketball – Our Lady Help of Christians • East – Our Lady Help of Christians • Boys Basketball – Our Lady Help of Christians • North – Holy Family, South Pasadena • South – Beatitudes of Our Lord • Girls Soccer – Holy Trinity, San Pedro • Golf – Beatitudes of Our Lord Male Athletes of the Year • Softball – Sacred Heart, Covina • Sean Stephen - Holy Family, South Pasadena • Daniel Scott - Holy Family, South Pasadena • Boys Soccer – St. Turibius • Boys Volleyball – Corpus Christi Female Athlete of the Year • Boys Track & Field – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Pasadena • Becca Ramirez – Nativity, Torrance • Girls Track & Field – St. Rita Coach of the Year • Cheer – Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Downey • Bert Triggs - Sacred Heart, Covina For more information about the CYO program, please contact the CYO office at 213-251-3454. Summer Camp Held at Brownson House atholic Charities’ Brownson House Community Services Center in Boyle Heights offered a C Summer Camp program for youth from working poor families through a generous grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation. Fifty boys and girls, ages seven through 12, were enrolled in the six-week program which was held from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Activities included reading, science, arts and crafts, theatre, and educational field trips. In addition, there were games and Zumba dance classes. During the field trips, the boys and girls explored space and science at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. They were informed about the arts at El Capitan Theater and enjoyed Youth explored and discovered during the educational field trips. the outdoors at Santa Fe Dam and at Prospect Park in Los Angeles. The final outing was a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm. brought in a total of 2,500 recyclable items. Participants also learned teamwork and about being “The children engaged with their peers, building friendship “green” through a recycling project that spanned the six- and creating bonds,” said Mary Romero, San Gabriel week course. They worked together as a team and, by Regional Director, who may be reached at 323-266-3630 the end of the recycling competition, the boys and girls or at [email protected]. ✤

1531 James M. Wood Blvd. Post Office Box 15095 Los Angeles, CA 90015-0095 www.CatholicCharitiesLA.org

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A young boy enjoys the outdoors at Summer Camp.