2011-12 Annual Report 2 1 0 2 L L A Taller de José News F A ministry of accompaniment— Connecting people to services and services to people Opening Our Eyes to Our Neighbor ithin the past year, the staff atTaller county's low-income and uninsured resi - minutes. While frustrating, these long de José has been accompanying dents. She could not get to the hospital on waits have allowed plenty of time for mWore people to clinics and hospitals.The her own had no family who were able to go Maria and her compañera to form a close healthcare system can be overwhelming with her. Her social worker's case load was relationship, discussing much more than and frightening for anyone. Not knowing far too big to allow her to accompany just the medical problems that brought her English or having a strong support network Maria during the lengthy process involved toTaller de José. As is often the case, the can make accessing health care even more with cataract surgery. Fortunately, that’s moral and emotional support offered by intimidating. Often the our compañeras is compañeras atTaller de just as (or some - José accompany clients to “I SN 'T IT SUCH A times more) impor - provide support and assis - MIRACLE THAT WHEN tant to the client as tance with language and WE FIRST CAME TO THE the assistance in cultural barriers; however, overcoming the lan - for some clients it is nearly HOSPITAL YOU HAD TO guage, cultural, fi - impossible for them to HOLD MY HAND SO nancial, or logistical barriers they face. navigate the hospital with - THAT I COULD GET out the assistance of a Now, seven ap - compañera by their side. PLACES , BUT NOW I pointments later, a For several years, CAN SEE AGAIN AND DO total of more than 50 hours of accom - Maria only had sight in her THINGS ON MY OWN ?” right eye because of a paniment, Maria worsening left eye Maria and her son with companera Anna Mayer after the last surgery has had successful cataract. In early 2012, she surgery on both developed a cataract in her right eye, when Maria’s caseworker referred her to eyes, giving her nearly perfect vision again. which quickly became so severe that she Taller de José. With her sight restored, she has regained could not see at all. As a single mother, the Partnering with the case worker,Taller her sense of independence, enabling her to loss of vision made it extremely difficult for de José made arrangements to accompany better care for her children and transport her to care for her two children, especially Maria to doctor visits, by arranging rides herself to and from the hospital and our of - her oldest son, a 15-year-old with Down for appointments or meeting her at her fices on her own.This new-found inde - Syndrome and other severe conditions home. Often Maria and a compañera pendence and self-sufficiency is exactly that require constant supervision. Maria would make the hour and a half trek to what we hope for all of our clients. She told was without health insurance and did not Stroger Hospital on public transportation. her compañera, “Isn't it such a miracle that know where to receive assistance or Because the hospital is so overwhelmed by when we first came to the hospital you had whether it was even possible to regain her the number of patients seeking care, the to hold my hand so that I could get places, vision. Maria’s case manager at Metropoli - wait is often incredibly long. Many pa - but now I can see again and do things on tan Family Services got her a referral to the tients pack a snack or even a full meal in my own?” Yes, through God’s grace and Ophthalmology Department at John H. preparation for the 2 to 6 hour waiting pe - the generosity of our benefactors, miracles Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, the riod at the Ophthalmology Department, do happen atTaller de José. "safety net" hospital for many of the often only to see a doctor for a total of 15 Taller de José (Joseph’s Workshop) is a community resource center offering accompaniment to people in need, connecting prople to services and services to people.Taller de José is a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph. 2011-12 Annual Report Dear Friends ofTaller de José, By its nature, the ministry of accompaniment cannot be done alone; it draws us into communion with one another.The graphs and statistics presented in this Annual Report tell a piece of the story; however, it is relationships that help make accompaniment come alive and touch the lives and hearts of the people we serve. At a time in our history when our nation, church and society seem to be more and more polarized and divided,Taller de José is committed to creat - ing loving relationships by fulfilling the mission of Jesus, “that all may be one,” the mission that has been a part of the lives of the Sisters of St. Joseph since 837 the 17th century. Each day,Taller de José reminds itself of this mission as we seek to connect UNIQUE people to services and services to people. We build relationships among our INDIVIDUALS SERVED staff members. We strengthen relationships with our agencies and organiza - tions which serve our clients. We work with our Board of Directors to ensure that we remain faithful to the ministry of accompaniment. Perhaps, most importantly,Taller de José works to establish a bond of trust with its clients, people who are often afraid to seek assistance or are overwhelmed by their life situation. Taller de José welcomes and assists people with a variety of needs. When 487 Marco, a senior citizen who as Alzheimer’s, needed to apply for a Senior Citizen OFF-SITE CTA pass,Taller de José assisted him in filling out the application. A few years ago, Eva, a single mother, sought assistance to enroll her newborn daughter in ACCOMPANIMENTS the Illinois All Kids insurance program. She recently returned for information about Head Start programs available in the neighborhood for her daughter. Juanita came toTaller de José alone and distressed because her husband aban - doned her and their three children. We accompanied her to Catholic Charities for counseling and helped her find rental assistance and clothing for her children. 150 Taller de José is able to continue our mission because of our generous donors. I invite you, once again, to donate toTaller de José to assist us PARTNERING in connecting people to services and services to people. An envelope has been COMMUNITY AGENCIES provided for your convenience, or you can donate at www.tallerdejose.org. Marco, Eva Juanita and all our clients count on you for your support. May you continue to notice the accompaniment of our gracious God who accompanies each of us throughout our lives. Sincerely, Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJ Executive Director 2 Thank you for your generosity! $0-$99 Shura & Shirley Evans Ronald & Gale Misiora Juan Acevedo Dalia Feltman Jerome Molitor Adams Street Iron Victor & Elsa Fernandez Juan & Beatriz Moñtanez David & Lorraine Antieau Carolyn Flens Pat Moran Loretta Becerra Mary Beth & Richard Ford Patricia Moran Greg & Janet Biedron Barb Foreman David Moreno Patricia Bihun Pam Fortuna Rev.Tom Mulcrone Janina Bischof Dan Fulwiler Helen Murphy Nancy Boiko Rev. Rigoberto Gamez Tom & Sue Murray Sr. Janet Bolger, CSJ Dolores Garramone Narendra & Emma Nemivant Joseph & Janice Bosco Janiene & Luis Garcia Betty Nieves Pat Broderick Thomas Geraghty Donna Oborski Carmella & Lee Callaci Erik Granlund Anabel Ortega Sr. Julie Cannon, CSJ Louise Granlund Sr. Sallie Latkovich, CSJ Sr. Dorothy Ousler, CSJ Michael & Lori Casey Donald & Rita Green Brian & Angela Lawler Sr. Jeanne Ousler, CSJ Rev. Robert Casey Sr. Margaret Halligan, CSJ Miguel Leaman Most ReverendThomas John Marlene Chaney Daniel Hartman Sr. Ann Letourneau, CSJ Paprocki Jessica & Rosita Cheng Charles & Loretta Harwood Lawrence Lewandowski Lenore Parrilli Flo Christiano Ron & Roselee Hicks Alison & Foster Lewin Anthony Parson Sr. BeeJay Ciszek, CSJ Timothy & Lucille Hilger Marco Lopez Socorro Perez Michael & Patricia Coffey Jerry Hiller & Marilyn Rochon Sr.Lorraine Ruh, CSJ Bryan & Laura Pett Colleen Conway Cooney Carol Hranicka Sr. Dorothy Lynch, CSJ Sr.Virginia Phillips, CSJ Catherine Cosgrove Edward & Rosemarie Hrzenjak Anne &Vincent Lyons Daniel & Carolyn Pihera Russell & Mary Crider Mark & Karen Iwanowski Kathleen Ann Manna Joseph & Barbara Pristo Donald & LaDonna Crossland Gregory & Susan Jonas Ernest & Linda Manning Boni & Paz Racoma Mike & Maggie Crulcich Sr. Laurina Kahne, CSJ Jim & Pat Martin Sr. Dorothy Randall, CSJ Elena Cruz Sr.Thomas Agnes King, CSJ Guadalupe Martinez Susan Rangel Sr. Mary Jo Curtsinger, CSJ Dr. Frederick & Ann Kittle Martha Aracely Martinez Maeve Raphelson Jim & Bridget Davis Kolbe House James & Marianne Matthews Arlene Redmond Katherine F. DeVries Daniel Kopanke & Stephanie Jeffrey & Linda McCroy Rev. Paul Reicher Lou DeMuro & Karen Herman Rose Sr. Jean Anne McGrath, CSJ Sr. AnnTherese Reznicek, CSJ DeMuro Joan Krebs Sheila McGuire Judy Rocha Sr. Maureen Dolan, CSJ Thomas Krueger Bridget McLaughlin Dalia Bagdonas Rocotello Michael Dybas James & Debra Kusik Myrna McNitt Richard & Sharon Rose Joan Eckrich Sr. Rosie Lafleur, CSJ Ronald & Evonne Metzig Edward & Susan Ruff Sr. Michelle Elfering, CSJ Rev. Steven Lanza Thomas Mezera Margaret Russo Janet Erazmus Sharon Larson Marilyn Miller JeannieThomas-Sadowski Megan Mio Joseph & Natalie Santucci “D ESPUÉS DE QUE YO SUFRÍ TANTO , AHORA YA SÉ QUE YA NO . Q UE NO ESTOY SOLA , Y QUE HAY PERSONAS , HAY ORGANIZACIONES QUE ESTÁ N PARA AYUDAR A UNO Y CON AMOR . P ORQUE YO ASÍ , LO EXPERIMENTE AQUÍ EN TALLER DE JOSE .” [“A FTER SUFFERING SO MUCH , I NOW KNOW THAT I WILL NOT ANYMORE .