atholic Charities onnectsFebruary 2008 Cities of Col Catholic Charities named Top ic Char orado thol 7th Annual Sprin Ca gs Steward of Donor Dollars tricks Day Catholic Charities network, more than 1,700 local agencies and . Pa Gala institutions nationwide, has been ranked 4th among the nation’s St Our Premier Fundraising largest nonprofits in the country by The NonProfit Times, which Event of the Year publishes the oldest annual ranking of nonprofits in the country. To be included in the “NPT 100,” nonprofits must raise at least 10 Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 6 PM percent of their total revenue from public sources, such as individual donors and foundations. DoubleTree World Arena Additionally, The Chronicle of Philanthropy has ranked 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard Catholic Charities network 11th among the nation’s largest Cocktails & Silent Auction Bidding fundraising organizations in the country. The Chronicle’s Buffet Dinner of Genuine Irish Fare Philanthropy 400 ranks the nation’s largest nonprofits groups by how much money they raise from donations from individuals, Auction Featuring Trips to Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail, foundations, and corporations. Notre Dame and Alaska, Southwest Airlines tickets, a Car, Catholic Charities USA is also listed as the highest-rated custom jewelry by Creative Gold, an Oriental Carpet, and social services charity by Charity Navigator’s Holiday Giving $2,500 in Construction (Partial listing) Guide. To help donors navigate the crowded charitable marketplace and make intelligent giving decisions, the online Dance to the sounds of One More Shot independent charity evaluator offers its Holiday Giving Guide Tickets are $95 Per Person which includes a Drink Voucher as a quick reference guide highlighting the highest and lowest- ($50 tax deductible) rated charity in each cause/category that it evaluates. In 2006, based on combined Catholic Charities’ network 719.866.6422 For Reservations revenue, nearly 90 percent of revenue dollars were spent on ou To Our Spo programs and services, making the Catholic Charities network ank Y nsors Th one of the nation’s most efficient charities. Presenting Sponsor Locally, 100 percent of Catholic Charities donations were spent on programs and services. This is possible because a portion of the Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsors contributions from the Diocese of Colorado Springs paid for 100% of O’BRIENS CARPET ONE CENTRAL BANCORP administrative costs, making Catholic Charities one of the most efficient ENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Gold Sponsors Penrose-St. Francis Health Services ROTHGERBER JOHNSON & LYONS LLP RYAN GLASS, INC. charities in the area (similar to United Way’s Cornerstone Program). THE DIocESE of COLORADO TAEUS In the current economy, Catholic Charities faces an ever- SPRINGS THRIVENT FINANCIAL foR LUTHERANS, increasing need to provide services to members of our community THE FARICY BOYS (GARDEN of THE GODS CHAPTER) MICHAEL J. WOLFE, CLU, CHFC, MSFS who are facing difficult challenges such as increased gas, utility, Patron Shamrock U.S. BANK food and material goods costs. In many cases, these increases are compounded by the current housing situation. We are seeing an Green Shamrock Bollar Cruz Architects, LLC increase in the requests for utility and rent assistance, gas vouchers, MASON PROPERTIES Mr. & Mrs. Barry Sobral MOUNTAIN VIEW BANK clothing items, food, furniture and other basic living needs. DAVID & PEGGY TAYLOR Media Sponsors Please help us to provide services to our clients: struggling Invitation Sponsor Auctioneer Services families, the working poor, people who are homeless, the KPB Commercial Printing Dustin Kimberlin elderly, veterans and disabled people who are on a fixed income. Auction items such as restaurant certificates, quilts and Monetary donations are especially needed and gifts in kind are entertainment items are still needed. To donate, please call 719.866.6443. greatly appreciated. Providing Help. Creating Hope. Synergy The New Marian House Moves to Phase II: & The Self Sufficiency Center The campaign for The New Marian House took another Shamrocks major step at a Press Conference held on December 19th by announcing the co-chairs and plans for the second phase of the capital campaign: The Self Sufficiency Center. At the Press Conference, held at the Marian House, the Dear Friends public was given the opportunity to see the progress of The New Marian House soup kitchen and dining hall (Phase I), which is In his epistles St. Paul used the word synergy to describe the scheduled to be completed by May 2008. The Most Reverend effort and outcome of human, divine and cosmic cooperation: Michael Sheridan began the conference by emphasizing the “I did the planting, Apollos the watering, but God made things reason we are building a new complex, the mission of the grow…We are fellow workers (synergoi) with God; you are God’s Marian House, the need in our community, and the beautiful farm, God’s building.” look the new complex combined with St. Mary’s Cathedral will Webster’s refers to synergy as the “phenomenon in which have as a welcoming entrance into the downtown area. two or more discrete influences or agents acting together create Jason Christensen, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, an effect greater than that predicted…” introduced the Most Reverend Bishop Hanifen and Dr. Marijane This is such an exciting time for Catholic Charities. In recent Paulsen as the co-chairs for the self sufficiency phase. Both of weeks we have seen real synergy developing here at the agency. these individuals have lived in the Colorado Springs area for quite There’s a new fixture emerging on the downtown landscape some time and both have been extremely involved in business as the foundation of The New Marian House has been poured and social services areas for a good portion of their lives. “We and the walls and roof have gone up (see picture below, right). could not ask for two more qualified individuals to lead us in the Leading us into Phase II of the New Marian House are second phase of this campaign,” said Christensen. two dynamic individuals in Bishop Richard Hanifen and Dr. He also thanked Mr. Jay Cimino and Fr. Paul Wicker for Marijane Paulsen. Bishop Hanifen is the retired Bishop of their leadership in the first phase of The New Marian House, Colorado Springs and Dr. Paulsen is the past president of Pikes and helping Catholic Charities raise over $4.3 million for the Peak Community College and presently CEO of Colorado dining hall and kitchen. They were presented with plaques with Technical University. Both bring a unique blend of talent a mounted soup ladle and a note of appreciation. and expertise that will help us bring more people of southern Bishop Hanifen spoke of the continuing need for our community Colorado to self-sufficiency. to help our poor and less fortunate. Helping our poor is a passion The recent toy recall left our Life Support Center in a tough for Bishop Hanifen which certainly makes him an appropriate spot; however, thanks to the synergistic efforts of area businesses person to lead the effort to build The Self Sufficiency Center. and individuals we were able to give a little brighter Christmas Marijane Paulsen spoke on the potential partnerships and to hundreds of families. services that will be offered in the Self Sufficiency Center. There are other areas of growth for Catholic Charities as Referring to the Self Sufficiency Center, she said, “It’s not only Family Immigration Services prepares to welcome a new the right idea, it’s the bright idea.” Under her tenure as President paralegal to our staff as we begin the work of assisting individuals of Pikes Peak community College, the college expanded from and families with their documentation. a single campus to three full service operations, with extension Additionally we have entered the planning stages for campuses in 4 states. This experience will serve her well in expanding our Life Connections Program into family and leading the campaign for The Self Sufficiency Center. individual counseling services. The Self Sufficiency Center will house the Emergency & As you can see, thanks to the work of people and the blessings Transition Services program which includes Marian House of God above, synergy abounds at Catholic Charities! Client Services, Community Outreach, and the Agency On a very personal note, I am excited for our upcoming Connections Bus. Additionally, a space will be customized for St. Patrick’s Day Gala. It was at last year’s event that I was the S.E.T Clinic to hopefully begin providing care for chronic introduced as your new Executive Director. This past year has disease management, such as diabetes, heart disease, etc., not been such a wonderful experience for me and I have been moved just acute care, the results of which overtax our emergency by the dedication of our volunteers and supporters. So many of rooms. Space will also be provided to other organizations who you have done so much for those with so little. can provide services on site to Marian House guests. Our upcoming St. Patrick’s Day Gala promises to be even bigger than last year’s event. Please mark your calendars for this special event (March 15). And don’t forget to wear something green! Jason Construction of The New Marian House Soup Kitchen and Dining Hall. Completion date is expected in May 2008 Adoption Search & Reunification Program Brings Families Together Catholic Charities Life Connections program not only provides of Eric that first year, which also happened to be the anniversary adoption, pregnancy counseling and prenatal nurturing classes, of her husband’s death, Although they have never spoken, they we also have an adoption search and reunification program. For have been communicating weekly by e-mail ever since. some, this can be a difficult process, however, we recently had a Almost a year after Eric was found, the families began making client with a heartwarming story.