SOCIAL

VENTURE
BOOT
CAMP
ANNUAL
GATHERING
HIGHLIGHTS
THE MAGAZINE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA

FALL 2013

VOLUME 40

NUMBER 4
FLOODS
IN COLORADO
REACHING OUT TO
MILITARY FAMILIES
& VETERANS
Youre missing out...if youre missing
THE MAGAZINE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA
Feature articles on the work of Catholic Charities
Poverty reduction success stories
Updates on CCUSAs legislative and policy work
News from CCUSA and member agencies
And so much more!
Charities USA is the quarterly magazine
of Catholic Charities USA. In each issue,
youll nd:
SAVE THE DATE
NATIONAL POVERTY SUMMIT | APRIL 2, 2014 | WASHINGTON, DC
www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
On April 2, 2014, Catholic Charities USA
will sponsor the third National Poverty
Summit. Please join us for this inspiring
and educational event that will bring
together service providers, researchers,
and policymakers to renew our nations
commitment to reducing poverty and fnding
strategies to advance the common good.
Founded by Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh in 1954, this graduate degree
program in business is designed specically for nonprot managers.
From his vision over 50 years ago to the challenges of the 21
st
century,
the MNA program takes the lead in addressing the new realities of the
entire nonprot sector.
The program offers a exible structure for full-time nonprot professionals
with on-campus summer courses (10 weeks over 2- 4 summers) and
online fall and spring e-distance learning.
For an application or to learn more: http: //mna.nd.edu/npq
Master of Nonprot Administration
340 Mendoza College of Business
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
TAKING THE LEAD.
The gold standard in nonprofit education:
Notre Dames Master of Nonprofit Administration program
KEY BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS:
Quality graduate education from a
school ranked #1 in business ethics
Fellowships
Strong peer and professional network
The University of Notre Dame
MNA mission: To develop exemplary
leaders serving nonprot organizations
We Offer $5,000 Fellowships to Employees
of CCUSA Member Agencies
Download Charities USA on Scribd
at www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Charities USA (ISSN 0364-0760) is
published by Catholic Charities USA.
Address all correspondence to the Managing
Editor. 2013 Catholic Charities USA,
Alexandria, Virginia.
Editorial and Business Offce
2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: 703-549-1390 fax: 703-549-4183
www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
info@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org
Publisher
Rev. Larry Snyder
Managing Editor
Ruth Liljenquist
Sr. Creative Director
Sheena Lefaye Crews
Contributing Writers
Patricia Cole
Ruth Liljenquist
Editorial Committee
Jean Beil
Candy Hill
Kristan Schlichte
Jane Stenson
Catholic Charities USA is the national offce for one
of the nations largest social service networks. Member
agencies and institutions nationwide provide vital so-
cial services to over 10 million people in need, regard-
less of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.
Catholic Charities USA supports and enhances the
work of its members by providing networking opportuni-
ties, national advocacy, program development, training
and consulting, and fnancial benefts.
Donate Now: 1-800-919-9338
13
22
44
6
Contents
LAST ISSUE: SUMMER 2013
7 Reaching Out to Military Families and Veterans
8 Understanding Service in the Military
Perspectives from Tree Catholic Charities Leaders Who Served
13 Seven Years of Growing Hope for Homeless Veterans
St. Leo Campus, Catholic Charities, Chicago
15 Female Vets Blossom in a New Life
Te Lotus Project for Female Veterans, Catholic Charities, Galveston-Houston
16 Caring for the Heart and Mind
Mental Health Services for Veterans, Catholic Charities, Rockville Centre
17 A Friend for Children in Military Families
Faithful Friends, Catholic Charities of Tennessee
18 Ready, Vet, Go!
Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Catholic Charities, Camden
22 Te Archdiocese of the Military Services
A Welcoming Community for Catholic Service Members
26 Building Bridges to Opportunity
Catholic Charities USAs 2013 Annual Gathering
30 Getting Your Social Venture in Shape
CCUSA Launches Social Venture Boot Camp at Notre Dame
Features
5 Presidents Column
34 Disaster Response
36 CCUSA Update
38 NewsNotes
44 Providing Help. Creating Hope.
Departments
On each Memorial Day of my youth, my parents took me and my
siblings to the cemetery near our home to attend a short ceremony in
honor of the people who had served in our military and died defending
our freedom. Tere was a speech, a gun salute, and a bugler who played
Taps, but the part of the ceremony that impacted me most was when the
war mothers spoke a few words about the sons they had lost in Korea
and Vietnam. When they were nished, they gently tossed owers into
the canal that cut through the cemetery. We all stood and watched as the
owers oated away, a melancholy symbol of the young men whose lives
had slipped away from their loved ones. At that ceremony, I rst began
to understand the sacrices made in war.
I understood more of the sacrices of war through my uncle. He eagerly
enlisted at age 17 to ght the enemy in World War II, and luckily
survived, but he came home with tuberculosis, a cigarette habit, and a
moral injury that would never let his soul rest. In the melee of his prison
camps liberation, he shot and killed a German guardjust a boy, and it
tormented him ever after. He wore the boys dogtags for years until they
became too worn away to wear.
Life went badly for my uncle after the war. He married and had two
boys, but his marriage failed, and his children became estranged from
him. He turned to alcohol and a lonely, solitary life. If it werent for the
night job he managed to keep at a railyard, he would have been homeless.
He developed emphysema and cirrhosis of the liver and died at age 64.
I wish my uncle had had some supportive services to help him. I wish
someone had helped him overcome the guilt he felt. I wish someone
had helped him turn away from drinking and reconnect with his family.
Te outcome of his life may have been very dierent, but as it was, he
suered alone, his life a sacrice for freedom just as were the lives of the
war mothers sons, just as were the losses suered by parents, spouses,
and children.
Sacrices will always have to be made to defend freedom, but with
greater support from individuals, families, communities, and our nation
as a whole, the sacrices of those who serve should not have to be so
many and so great. n
Ruth Liljenquist, Managing Editor
To comment on this issue, please write to Ruth Liljenquist
at rliljenquist@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
Reaching Out to Military
Families and Veterans
W
hen I worked at Catholic Charities in St. Paul
and Minneapolis, I often visited our drop-in
shelters and resource centers, where many of the
Twin Cities homeless people would come for shelter, a warm
meal, health care, and other services. During my visits, I had
the opportunity to speak with the people there and learn of
their circumstances.
Many of the homeless were veterans, primarily of the
Vietnam War. Because of injuries both physical and emo-
tional, because of PTSD, depression, and substance abuse,
their lives had spiraled down into chronic homelessness.
It was heartbreaking to see. Teir experiences in combat had
so changed their lives that when they returned home from war,
the life they came back to made no sense anymore. Tey felt
disconnected from their families and had lost trust in people
and the government, and the only place they felt safe was actu-
ally on the streets. Over the years, many of them had become
so incapacitated by their war experiences, their mental health
problems, and their substance abuse that they couldnt take ad-
vantage of the programs designed to help them.
Its amazing that a war that ended 40 years ago is still impact-
ing so many lives. One of the reasons is that at the time we
didnt understand or respond very well to the trauma that
many veterans experienced in the war. Since then, as a coun-
try, weve learned a lot about how we care for military fam-
ilies and veterans, especially those who serve on the front-
lines of combat and suer from the invisible wounds of war.
Today we have a greater awareness of what these brave men
and women need to better adapt when they return from their
deployments.
Te military and the Department of Veterans Aairs have
made great eorts to serve military families and veterans ap-
propriately and eectively. Not only do they oer numerous
programs and resources, but they also rely on organizations
like Catholic Charities to provide vital community-based
services, to military members and their families who have
suered the stresses of multiple deployments in our countrys
military engagements in the Middle East.
As a network, we are grateful to be a part of our nations ef-
forts to support military families and veterans. We are grate-
ful that through our housing, employment assistance, emer-
gency support, mental and behavioral health care, and other
services, we can share in the responsibility of our entire
nation to support those who have served our country in the
military. n
FALL 2013 | 5
Column
Presidents
4 | CHARITIES USA
Many of the homeless were veterans, primarily
of the Vietnam War. Because of injuries both
physical and emotional, because of PTSD,
depression, and substance abuse, their lives
had spiraled down into chronic homelessness.
FALL 2013 | 7
E
very Catholic Charities agency reaches out to people in
need in its community. Among them are military families
and veterans. Sometimes they are identifed as such, other
times not, but either way, we offer the same services that
sustain and support every person or family in need, such as shelter,
emergency fnancial assistance, basic needs assistance, benefts
screening, case management, mental health services, and referrals to
employment, housing, or educational programs.
As a network, we also provide services specifcally for veterans, most
often transitional and permanent supportive housing and the services
associated with these programs, such as case management, mental
health care, substance abuse treatment, and employment assistance.
We also have agencies working with military families to ease their
transition to civilian life.
Increasingly, we are reaching out to active duty military families.
Historically, the Department of Defense has been the primary service
provider for service members and their families. However, the high
numbers of active duty military members, the increase in frequency
and duration of deployments, base closures, and overall military
reorganization have had a profound impact on the level and amount of
services needed. Fundamental human services for military families are
being increasingly offered by civilian providers and through contracts
and consultation with the Department of Defense.
Our nations long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a heavy toll
on millions of service members and their families. As our network has
grown more aware of this toll, we are working to strengthen our existing
services to all military families and looking for new opportunities to
support all those who have served, some of whom may have ongoing
needs for years to come.
6 | CHARITIES USA
REACHING OUT TO
MILITARY FAMILIES
& VETERANS
FALL 2013 | 9
Irene enlisted in the Air Force
and served for four years, rising
to the rank of buck sergeant
of communications. In her
last year, she was stationed in
Germany and at one point put
in charge of the communica-
tions center for the base during
a NATO exercise. There, she real-
ized she could be a leader. The
Air Force gave me experience
and training, and said I could
do it, and I did it.
Patrick also served in the Air
Force. During his 22 years, he
observed how the Air Forces
core valuesIntegrity First.
Service before Self. Excellence
in All We Do.ft in with his
values as a Christian and a
Catholic. He cherished the op-
portunity to experience the uni-
versality of the church, attend-
ing Mass around the world.
Joe served for four years in the
Navy and then another 26 years
in the Marine Corps, spending
most of his career in logistics,
but also serving as an instruc-
tor, trainer, and squadron com-
mander. He valued the brother-
hood and belonging he felt and
was inspired by the corps sense
of honor and courage and the
commitment to a cause greater
than yourself.
With over 50 years of collective
experience in the military, these
three leaders explained some
things Catholic Charities agen-
cies should understand about
serving in the military to better
help them serve military fami-
lies and veterans.
There is no one single mili-
tary experience. Not all vet-
erans were warriors, said
Patrick. You have to look at
veterans as individuals who
served in the military and
had distinct experiences.
Ones experience can vary,
depending on his or her ser-
vice, branch, and specializa-
tion, the time period served,
the war(s) served in, and
other factors. Further, the
concept of the military as
a whole is misleading. There
really is no military, said
Patrick. There are fve ser-
vicesthe Army, the Navy, the
Air Force, the Marine Corps,
and the Coast Guardand
each has a distinct mission
and culture.
Serving in the military often
makes people feel separat-
ed from civilian society and
even from their families.
There is a degree of sepa-
ration for anyone who has
served, which makes reinte-
gration a challenge. The mil-
itary makes you over, gives
you a new identity and ex-
periences that are diffcult
to translate to the civilian
world, said Patrick.

In addition, Joe added,
people in the military spend
a lot of time away from home
and because of that there is
a greater potential for prob-
lems in relationships with
spouses, family members, or
signifcant others. There is a
lot of separation, even when
the person is not deployed.
Troops are put in situations
that demand a lot emotion-
ally, and that creates dis-
tance and lost connections
with family. The common ex-
perience of the military is
separation.
The Catholic Charities network not only provides services to veterans, but does so with the gifts, skills, and experience of former members
of the military, such as Irene Ward, executive vice president for Catholic Community Services of Western Washington; Patrick Raglow,
executive director of Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City; and Joe Buranosky, executive director of Catholic Charities of Central Florida.
They recently shared with Charities USA their perspectives on serving in the military, the needs of veterans, and how our network can
be more responsive to military families and veterans.
Irene Ward Patrick Raglow Joe Buranosky
I
rene Ward, Patrick Raglow, and Joe Buranosky had different
experiences in the military, but each of them gained something that
shaped their work as leaders of Catholic Charities agencies.
8 | CHARITIES USA
UNDERSTANDING
SERVICE IN THE
MILITARY
PERSPECTIVES FROM THREE CATHOLIC CHARITIES LEADERS WHO SERVED
FALL 2013 | 11 10 | CHARITIES USA
Further, It can be harder to
feel welcome in broader so-
ciety because of the things
youve seen and done, said
Joe. Ive heard stories from
older vets who witnessed a
lot of inhumanity and expe-
rienced the horrendous bru-
tality of war. Their experienc-
es had so changed them
that they felt a sense of
loss and isolation from the
community.
The strong service and read-
iness culture in the military
can make it hard for people
to ask for help when they
need it. Theyve learned to
be self-reliant, to be ready to
help and serve others, so its
hard to ask for help because
they feel they should be the
ones helping, said Irene. In
addition, when it comes to
mental health, they may be
reluctant to ask for mental
health services because of
how it might affect their ca-
reers. Troops are encour-
aged to tough it out, added
Joe. Emotional issues or
problems at home are swept
under the rug. The military in
many ways has not always
done well in addressing
mental health issues.
Reintegration challenges
are often the result of inad-
equate translation and life
skills. When veterans return
home and look for work, they
often have a hard time de-
scribing what they did in the
military and articulating how
it is applicable to the job at
hand. Its not just because of
their specialized work in the
military, but also because of
the unique structure of each
service and the specialized
language used. Each of the
services is quite tribal, with
ways of doing things that
are obscure to the casual
observer, said Patrick.
Veterans often need a trans-
lator to make what they did
understandable to the civil-
ian world; when they cant
translate, it compounds their
diffculty in reintegrating.

In addition, very young vet-
erans who went right from
their parents homes into the
military havent had the ex-
perience of taking care of
themselves. If theyve spent
a lot of time in the feld,
theyve been taken care of
by the military, said Joe.
When they get home, they
lose structure, lose com-
rades, and some of them
dont really know what to do.
And if theyve had trauma or
seen combat, they may have
mental health issues, which
can lead to chemical depen-
dence and homelessness. It
doesnt help that recent vet-
erans have come home to a
weak economy, where many
of the jobs available do not
pay well and seem trivial
compared to the jobs veter-
ans have been doing in the
military.

That being said, the military
could do a better job in the
discharge process of con-
necting veterans to servic-
es, said Irene. The militarys
focus is on people being
battle ready, not so much on
what happens after people
are discharged, so there is
a big chasm between out-
placement services received
by a person exiting the mil-
itary and what they might
actually need. The military
should give out more infor-
mation about the VAs ser-
vices and other communi-
ty-based services to people
at discharge, rather than just
assume they will be okay.
Military culture change
around mental health is
slow. The military and the
VA have come a long way in
addressing mental health
issues, but there is still
much progress to be made.
Civilians often think that the
military has been good at
taking care of people. I didnt
feel that, said Irene. Back
in the 1970s, we didnt have
good mental health servic-
es. They werent recognized
as important. The results of
that mistaken view are evi-
dent today in the veterans
programs run by Catholic
Community Services of
Western Washington. We are
serving people from wars
along the continuum whose
mental health issues were
left untreated.

Today things are better.
There are more resourc-
es available, an awful lot of
training, and we talk a lot
about suicide prevention and
buddy care, said Patrick.
But cultures take a long
time to change. The leader-
ship of the military is doing a
lot about mental health, and
people feel they can access
mental health services, but
the practical application is
not so good. Its slow to take
hold and has to be rein-
forced continually. n
Learn what they did in the service. What they did really impacts
what they do afterwards, said Joe. Find out what skills they have
and fnd a way to translate those skills for civilian employers.
Help veterans talk about their experiences. Talking about their ex-
periences can help veterans move past the feeling of isolation or
separation from others, said Patrick.
Be understanding with chronically challenged veterans. I some-
times struggle with veterans and their demands on our systems.
I want to call them back to the success they had in the military,
said Patrick. But I have to remember that not everyone had the
same experience I had in the military. The key is fnding a way to
be appropriately responsive while encouraging them to make posi-
tive steps in their lives.
Train direct staff people on military culture and peoples gener-
al experience in the military. The military is a very unique envi-
ronment, and staff members need to be attuned and sensitive to
issues that arise from environment, said Irene. There are training
courses available through the VA, online social work courses, and
books that can educate staff about service in the military.
Take the time to fnd out what resources in the community are
available to veterans. There are a lot of resources for veterans, a
lot of people who want to help veterans, but they often cant fnd
them, said Patrick. Catholic Charities agencies can always pro-
vide services, but they may fnd greater success acting as a con-
duit and linking veterans to the available resources. Doing so will
beneft veterans while preserving agency resources.
Seek partnerships with the VA if offering veteran programs is a
good ft for your agency. There are a lot of collaborative opportu-
nities and funding available, said Irene. For example, a number of
agencies have recently been awarded VA grants to provide servic-
es to veterans through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families
program. n
Reintegration challenges are often the result of inadequate translation and life skills. When veterans return
home and look for work, they often have a hard time describing what they did in the military and articulating
how it is applicable to the job at hand. Its not just because of their specialized work in the military, but also
because of the unique structure of each service and the specialized language used.
Based on their experience in the military and in working with
veterans, Joe, Patrick, and Irene have some good suggestions
to help Catholic Charities agencies better serve veterans:
HOW CATHOLIC CHARITIES AGENCIES
CAN BETTER SERVE VETERANS
T
he garden is the best place to see how
much St. Leo Campus for Veterans, op-
erated by Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese of Chicago, has become part of
the community. Shrubs and trees that were
spindly in 2007 have grown full and tall, and
a statue of Christ hugging a soldier evokes the
spirit of love and welcome Catholic Charities
and its many partners envisioned for the frst
project of its type in the nation. It took years
of collaboration, patience, problem-solving,
and fundraising to create something new on
the grounds of the shuttered St. Leo Parish on
Chicagos South Side. Many times it seemed
the dream would remain just an idea instead
of reality.
But today, nearly seven years after welcom-
ing its frst formerly homeless veteran, St. Leo
Campus is thriving. It consists of a 141-unit
residence with affordable studio apartments,
a VA clinic, a separate residence for persons
with physical disabilities, and the garden. It
houses veterans from the Cold War to present
day conficts.
Currently, St. Leo Residence has a 10:1 male/
female ratio; the veterans range in age from
27 to 68; and the primary issues impacting
self-suffciency are: lack of stable employment,
mental illness, and substance abuse.
Once the veterans begin to participate in
their service plan, it usually takes around six
months for veterans to show positive signs of
self-suffciency, says Dr. Eddie Taylor, PhD, pro-
gram director. With the help of the VA, we have
been able to connect the veterans with appro-
priate treatment and additional resources.
One major change at St. Leo was redefning
the program from being transitional housing
to permanent supportive housing. In the be-
ginning, the vision was to have veterans stay
up to two years then move out on their own.
Catholic Charities learned that many of the res-
idents have conditions that prevent this.
We have learned from our St. Leo experience
to always be mindful of what the veterans
need today, says Eileen Higgins, vice presi-
dent of housing services. We are committed
to our services making a real difference in the
self-suffciency of the veterans and that the
services provide a path back to the pride and
dignity they experienced as members of the
military.
Something that hasnt changed is the care
and expertise on-site social service staff use
to help residents. Catholic Charities Veterans
Employment Program began at St. Leo and
has expanded to another location. Like the VA
clinic, the Veterans Employment Program is
available to any veteran on the South Side, not
just St. Leo residents.
Who knows what will develop in the future at
St. Leos, but with its strong commitment to
serve those who have served our nation, it will
continue to be a beacon of hope for veterans
in need of another chance. n
ST. LEO CAMPUS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, CHICAGO
SEVEN YEARS OF GROWING
HOPE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
HOW WE SERVE MILITARY
FAMILIES & VETERANS
FALL 2013 | 13 12 | CHARITIES USA
The Catholic Charities network serves military families
and veterans every day in nearly every program and
service it provides, and often through programs designed
specifcally for this population.
In the fall of 2013, Catholic Charities USA conducted
an online survey to assess, among other things, the
networks services to military families and veterans. The
responses, received from 43 agencies in 30 states or
territories, indicate the following:
While 67 Catholic Charities agencies reported serv-
ing roughly 60,790 veterans in the 2012 Annual
Survey, this is likely an underestimation, as nearly all
agencies (95 percent) indicated in the recent online
survey that they serve veterans and military families
in their programs, though they may not specifcally
track veteran status of clients.
More than a third of all agencies (36 percent) offer
programs that are specifcally tailored to the needs
of veterans. The most common programs provide
emergency fnancial assistance, housing counseling,
permanent housing, and utilities assistance.
More than a third (36 percent) of agencies report
that their staff have specialized training for meeting
the needs of the veteran population, including PTSD
and traumatic brain injury treatment, and VA beneft
screening.
Catholic Charities agencies are actively building
awareness for their veteran services by collaborating
with government and nonproft partners. Nearly half
collaborate directly with the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Among agencies that have a military base
within their diocese, nearly two-thirds are actively col-
laborating with the base to raise awareness for their
services. n
T
e
m
p
o
r
a
r
y

S
h
e
lt
e
r

1
7
Source: Catholic Charities USA 2012 Annual Survey
E
m
p
lo
y
m
e
n
t

A
s
s
is
t
a
n
c
e

2
2
V
A
-
F
u
n
d
e
d

P
r
o
g
r
a
m
s

2
3
T
r
a
n
s
it
io
n
a
l
H
o
u
s
in
g

2
8 Number of Agencies Providing Veteran-Specifc
and/or VA-Funded Programs
T
he lotus fower, a bloom that springs from
the mud, is just the right symbol for the
women in The Lotus Project, for Female
Veterans, a program of Catholic Charities of
the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to help
homeless female veterans rebuild their lives.
The Lotus Project was established in late
2012, with funding from HUD and adminis-
tered in partnership with the U.S. Department
of Veteran Affairs (VA). Its one of the VAs new
fagship programs to serve chronically home-
less and disabled female veterans, who are
often not well served by general programs for
homeless vets.
Women vets are often turned away from other
programs because they have children. Case
managers dont have places to put them,
said Olivia Bush, director of The Lotus Project.
Further, if women had a bad experience in the
military, specifcally with sexual harassment or
assault, they may not be comfortable in pro-
grams with male vets.
The women the program serves are often in
desperate conditions. Dealing with physical
injuries or abuse, post-traumatic stress disor-
der, depression, or substance abuse, they are
crowding in with family or staying in abusive
relationships to keep a roof over their heads.
They are living in their cars, in shelters, and in
any place they can fnd. One woman and her
three children were hiding in a church offce
at night.
The Lotus Project frst stabilizes women and
their children by housing them in appropri-
ately-sized apartments in good neighbor-
hoods with good schools, with all housing and
food expenses covered for the frst year. Then,
through counseling, life skills education, sup-
port group therapy, and substance abuse treat-
ment, the program helps them get to a point
where they can fnd and keep employment or
attend school.
Yolanda is one of the women in The Lotus
Project. Her three-year service in the military
left her with emotional scars that still affect
her today. She was a victim of abuse by an of-
fcer, which escalated from verbal to physi-
cal, and fnally sexual. When she reported
what had occurred, she was referred to the
Army Psychology Ward and later honorably
discharged.
Though she received benefts from the VA, she
turned to drugs, alcohol, and fraud to bury the
trauma and handle the stresses of caring for
her two sons. After a third time in prison and a
newfound relationship with God, Yolanda ded-
icated herself to a new life, but she needed
help to get there. When she learned that The
Lotus Project would help her get an apartment
under her own name, she cried. Since then,
she has moved in and is now focusing on her
education and her family.
The Lotus Project is helping female veterans
like Yolanda spring from the mud of their pasts
and blossom in a new life. The peace of mind
that the program offers allows that to happen.
Having a place they can call their own is a
huge burden off these womens shoulders,
said Sarah Wier, case manager for The Lotus
Project. It allows them to relax a little and
focus on other aspects of their lives. n
THE LOTUS PROJECT FOR FEMALE VETERANS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, GALVESTON-HOUSTON
FEMALE VETS BLOSSOM
IN A NEW LIFE
FALL 2013 | 15 14 | CHARITIES USA
Legal Services
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis provides legal assistance for
lower income veterans through its Veterans Advocacy Program, part of the agencys
Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry, which offers representation for impoverished
families who do not have the means to afford an attorney.
Emergency Assistance
In early 2012, with a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission, Catholic Charities
in Houston established the Veterans Assistance Program to help veterans in crisis.
The program provides case management, job development, housing search, ed-
ucation guidance, food, furniture, and rent, mortgage, utility, and transportation
assistance. In its frst year, the program helped 126 veterans and their families
regain stability.
Residential Care for Homeless Mentally Ill Veterans
Catholic Charities in Scranton, PA, offers a 24-hour residential home for home-
less mentally ill veterans. Funded by the VA, veterans stay for 30 to 90 days, where
they regain stability, receive mental health care, and practice personal care and life
skills in preparation for moving on to other housing options, including permanent
supportive housing.
Transitional Housing
St. Patrick Center, an agency of Catholic Charities in St. Louis, offers Project HERO,
which provides housing for up to two years, employment, and recovery oppor-
tunities for veterans. An intensive case management team works with veterans,
linking the veterans to substance abuse and mental health services as well as
job development and life skills education, services that prepare veterans to live
independently.
Impact Assessment
For the last few years, Catholic Social Service in Guam has served on two govern-
ment subcommittees to assess the impact of the U.S. Navys planned expansion
on Guam to accommodate the re-location of several thousand Marines and their
dependents. Each subcommittee was tasked with identifying the potential impacts
of the increased military personnel and their dependents, identify existing resourc-
es, estimate the level of resources needed in the future, and identify how Guam
could address the gaps. Catholic Social Service assisted in conducting a survey
about human services and gathering public input on developing a strategic plan.
How does a child deal with a parent going off to war? Or coming
back home again and maybe with an injury? Or not coming home
at all? Through its Faithful Friends program, Catholic Charities of
Tennessee meets the unique emotional health needs of children
and youth in military families based at Fort Campbell, a U.S. Army
installation straddling the Tennessee-Kentucky border.
Faithful Friends, which is run out of a Catholic school in Clarksville,
TN, was started shortly after 9/11, in response to the high number of
deployments as the United States went to war in the Middle East. The
program helps children manage the emotions, stresses, and family
changes that come with a parents deployment and subsequent
return home. The program also helps children deal with the death
of a parent.
Faithful Friends gives children permission to talk about what is
happening, to normalize what is happening, so they know they are
not alone, said Eileen Beehan, social services department director
for Catholic Charities of Tennessee.
Children experience their families contracting when a parent is
deployed, then expanding again when the parent comes home, what
has been called an accordion family.
We know that family life is being disrupted so we work on building
skills that help them maintain a sense of continuity in their lives,
said Eileen. In addition to learning to care for themselves, the
children learn how to show support for othersin this way helping
their friends and taking some of the focus off themselves.
Faithful Friends, with its mission to share both the sadness and the
joy of having a parent in the military, also makes children cognizant
of the perks they enjoy as military dependents, which they may take
for granted.
With such a long war and many families experiencing multiple
deployments, Faithful Friends itself has been a faithful friend,
providing a safe place for children as their parents serve in the
military. n
A FRIEND FOR CHILDREN
IN MILITARY FAMILIES
M
oral injury, reintegration anxieties,
post-traumatic stress disorder, sur-
vivors guilt, depressionthese are
some of the mental health issues that many
service members and veterans and their fami-
lies deal with. Unaddressed, they lead to family
and workplace problems, unemployment, sub-
stance abuse, domestic violence, homeless-
ness, and suicide.
The prevalence and seriousness of these chal-
lenges prompted Catholic Charities of Rockville
Centre to strengthen its mental health services
for veterans and their families. In conjunction
with its two veteran housing programs, which
opened in 2011, Catholic Charities started two
support groups for veterans, which give vet-
erans the opportunity to come together, talk
about their experiences, and learn from each
other. One support group is geared toward
mental health treatment, and the other toward
building a social support network.
We have found that many veterans have lim-
ited support systems and few social resources.
The support groups provide a place to come
together, where they feel the camaraderie and
connection they experienced in the military,
said Christine Lai, veteran housing program di-
rector for Catholic Charities. They often dont
want to come to professionals for help, but
they will listen to other vets.
In addition to the support groups, the agency
employs a designated counselor for veter-
ans at each of its three out patient mental
health clinics. These counselors, one of whom
is a veteran, have undertaken training provid-
ed by the VA and the New York State Offce of
Mental Health in topics such as military cul-
ture, the invisible wounds of war, and reintegra-
tion stresses. They have learned of the different
mental health issues that may affect veterans
and how they might manifest.
The agency has also implemented the U.S.
Armys ACE Suicide Intervention Training
Program which trains veterans, their family
members, and people who work with veterans
to recognize the risk factors and warning signs
for suicide and to intervene appropriately.
We use the ACE program, which stands for
Ask, Care, and Escort. Its based on a buddy
system, so no one is left behind, said Christine.
We use a lot of role-playing to get people com-
fortable with asking if a person is contemplat-
ing suicide, showing care by listening, and then
escorting them to people who can help.
The suicide prevention program is very con-
nected to the local VA offce, which employs a
suicide prevention coordinator who can mobi-
lize additional resources for a particular client
when needed. Trainees receive a resource
directory and a wallet card with a phone
number to call in a crisis and instructions for
intervening.
With a strengthened mental health program
for veterans, Catholic Charities in Rockville
Centre is helping veterans and their families
cope with mental health issues and even heal
from them.
Veterans often feel that their sacrifces were
not appreciated, said Christine. We show
our appreciation by caring about their overall
well-being and helping them regain the things
theyve lost.n
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR VETERANS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, ROCKVILLE CENTRE
CARING FOR THE HEART
AND MIND
16 | CHARITIES USA FALL 2013 | 17
FAITHFUL FRIENDS, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF TENNESSEE
Ready, Vet, Go! (RVG) is the motivating
moniker of Catholic Charities of Camdens
Supportive Services for Veteran Families
(SSVF) program. In its third year, the pro-
gram is fourishing, having served over 500
veterans and their families in the last two
years and expecting to serve another 265
veteran families in FY 2013.
The goal of the SSVF program is to prevent
or resolve veteran homelessness by provid-
ing intensive case management and tempo-
rary fnancial assistance for rent and utility
payments, security deposits, moving expens-
es, transportation, and other costs. This as-
sistance helps rental tenants on the verge
of eviction stay in their homes and secures
housing for veterans who are already home-
less. Making sure the veteran and his or her
family is housed is frst priority.
SSVF is a housing frst model, said Mark
Taylor, director of veteran services for
Catholic Charities in Camden, NJ, and a 12-
year veteran of the U.S. Army. We house
them frst and then work on the issues that
contributed to their homelessness.
With housing secure, case managers and
life skills coordinators work with the veterans
to resolve those issues, which may include
unemployment, substance abuse, mental ill-
ness, and/or disability. They also help the
veterans set goals, take advantage of VA
benefts, get education or job training, fnd
employment, start fnancial planning, and
access other services, including the agen-
cys other veteran services. Through dona-
tions, Catholic Charities Camden is able to
offer an IDA Matched Savings program for
vets, free counseling, and other assistance.
In its frst year, RVG helped veteran Dannie
McLaughlin, who saw combat in Operation
Desert Storm in the early 1990s. He left the
military after fve years, beset with psycho-
logical and physical injuries, which made it
diffcult to keep long-term work. He fell into
substance abuse, and at one point, lived in
a group home for individuals with substance
abuse issues, but when the program ended,
he was homeless, living in his car. Through
RVG and with the support of his case man-
ager, counselors, and health care provid-
ers, Dannie found a home and began deal-
ing with his mental and physical health
issues as well as his substance abuse. Today,
Dannie is working towards a degree to
become a pastor and is happy how his life
has turned around.
Each organization that gets an SSVF grant
can structure the staffng to best ft their
communitys needs. RVG employs four full-
time outreach workers.
Everything revolves around outreach, said
Mark. Our outreach workers market the pro-
gram, fnd clients, connect with other organi-
zations, and get donations for our other vet-
eran services.
Finding veterans who need help is not always
easy. Some vets dont want help and are not
looking for help, said Mark. Our outreach
workers are the frst line in building rapport
with them and helping them understand that
the program is a beneft for them that theyve
earned with their service. This is us giving
back for what theyve done. n
18 | CHARITIES USA
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) launched a nationwide grant program to
prevent or end homelessness for thousands of veterans and their families. Now heading into
its third year, the programSupportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)has awarded
grants totaling nearly $300 million to private non-proft organizations to provide services that
prevent veteran families from becoming homeless or to rapidly rehouse those that have re-
cently become homeless. The SSVF grant program is a major part of VAs goal to end veteran
homelessness by 2015. Seventeen Catholic Charities agencies are among the more than 300
organizations across the nation which are providing SSVF programs to veterans in need. n
Catholic Charities USA recently launched a new opportunity for Catholic Charities staff who serve mil-
itary families and veteransthe Military Families and Veteran Providers Network (MFVP). This network,
CCUSAs newest professional interest section, will increase awareness about a population that can
beneft from the support and expertise of our network. Whether you work to provide services specif-
cally for military families and veterans or services to the general population that includes this group,
you are encouraged to join our network.
The Military Families and Veteran Providers Network plans to offer training on topics related to mili-
tary service and provide connection to members through a list serve, information exchange, network-
ing, and resource sharing. The network will also work with CCUSAs social policy department on advo-
cacy efforts that will potentially lead to better outcomes for military families and veterans.
The new network will be particularly useful to new Catholic Charities grantees in the VAs Supportive
Services for Veteran Families program. With 17 agencies now participating in the program, the MFVP
network will provide a forum for grantees to share ideas and best practices. n
For more information and to join the network, please visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org or contact
Fr. Ragan Schriver, CCUSA staff liaison to the new section, at rschriver@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
READY, VET, GO!
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, CAMDEN
SUPPORTIVE
SERVICES
FOR VETERAN
FAMILIES
Join CCUSAS New Military Families & Veteran Providers Network
FALL 2013 | 19
20 | CHARITIES USA
I
n the last few years, Catholic Charities USA has made sever-
al efforts to strengthen the networks services for military fam-
ilies and veterans, including outreach to the military and to
organizations working to assist this population. Through this out-
reach, CCUSA has forged a relationship with the Code of Support
Foundation (COSF), providing offce space to this relatively young
organization that seeks to bridge the gap between civilian and
military America. The foundation, with three employees, including
U.S. Major General Alan Salisbury, the organizational founder and
chairman, and Kristina Kaufmann, its executive director, has been
housed at CCUSAs offces since 2011.
COSF works to ensure that all Americans understand and appre-
ciate the service and sacrifce of the 1 percent who serve in
uniform and are actively involved in supporting our troops, our
veterans, and military families. In support of its mission, the foun-
dation serves as an advocate for the needs of our troops and
for the community of organizations that address those needs. The
foundation also identifes and remedies critical situations, where
military families and veterans are lacking needed support. Over
the last two years, COSF has become familiar with the work of
Catholic Charities and regularly refers military families and veter-
ans in need to member agencies across the country.
COSF is in the process of developing a tool kit for agencies to use to
engage with veterans in ways that will help them bridge the divide
between military and civilian life. The foundation is also building a
Warrior Family Support Network, a network of organizations, includ-
ing Catholic Charities agencies, which military families and veter-
ans can call on in times of crisis. n
Please visit www.codeofsupport.org for additional information
CCUSA & THE CODE OF SUPPORT FOUNDATION
A Partnership
to Strengthen Services for Military Families
PREPARE YOURSELF
Encourage coordination and partnership building among local
agencies in the service area. Work with related service providers
to develop partnerships that connect programs, utilize information
sharing, and collaborate to meet the emerging needs of military
families.
Develop and utilize training programs that promote awareness
of military culture and issues to promote culturally competent
services for military members and their families.
Create an information network that provides accessible
information on services available to military families. Both web-
based and printed resources can be developed to address the
varying needs of military families and accommodate families to
access resources and referrals with an emphasis on community-
based outreach.
Enable specifc program enhancements that are unique to
veterans and military families including but not limited to:
childcare and family support services that strengthen family and
community bond; employment training and support programs that
are strengths-based; and mental and behavioral health services
that are consistent with clinical approaches to treating PTSD,
traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and other co-occurring
disorders. n
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR SERVING
MILITARY FAMILIES
Through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) there are many education and train-
ing opportunities for practitioners serving active-duty service members, veterans and military
families. A fve-course online training moduleSocial Work with Service Members, Veterans,
and their Families is now available at www.naswwebed.org. This webinar series is free for NASW
members. The modules cover community resources for military service members and veterans,
evidence-based treatment interventions for service members and veterans, responding to ac-
tive-duty service members and veterans sexual trauma, practice with children of military fami-
lies, and military culture. In addition, NASW has established standards for social work practice
with service members, veterans, and their families. These standards are downloadable from the
NASW webpage. Other educational opportunities (workshops, seminars, webinars) are available
through other professional associations, state mental health agenices, the VA, and schools of
social work. n
Military-Specifc Training Available for Social Workers
In 2010, CCUSA administered a survey among its member agencies
to identify the services available to military families, emerging and
unmet needs, and service gaps. The next year, in 2011, a focus group
was convened to enhance the information gathered from the network
by having the direct military family perspective. These two efforts gen-
erated the following recommendations for Catholic Charities agencies:
FALL 2013 | 21
While military families experience many of the same
challenges common to civilian families, they also have
unique stressors relating to the requirements of military
service and military life.
THE
ARCHDIOCESE
OF THE MILITARY
SERVICES
A WELCOMING COMMUNITY FOR CATHOLIC SERVICE MEMBERS
Charities USA: The Archdiocese of the
Military Services serves active military mem-
bers and their families across the globe. Why
was the archdiocese created and how is it
different than other dioceses?
Archbishop Broglio: Its important to note
that pastoral care for Catholic military mem-
bers began in an organized fashion in 1917
during World War I. A vicariate was formed
to respond to the pastoral needs of soldiers
who were coming from multiple canonical ju-
risdictions. Prior to that, maintaining canon-
ical records was very problematic, as was
meeting the needs of a very transient pop-
ulation undergoing the rigors of battle. Over
time, the vicariate took on more responsibili-
ty, serving Catholics in VA hospitals and then
federal workers and their families overseas.
Finally, in 1985, the archdiocese was estab-
lished by Pope John Paul II.
Our archdiocese is different in that we have
no incardinated clergy. All our priests are
on loan from other dioceses or orders. We
have no schools, no collections, no parishes
to speak ofonly Most Holy Trinity Parish at
West Point. Further, the faithful of our arch-
diocese is determined by who the people
arepeople in the military, not where they
live. We also maintain all their sacramental
records at the archdiocese.
Another difference is that our clergy are
given their assignments by the military. They
are offcers in whatever branch they entered,
and have undergone military and chaplain-
cy training. That being said, a person cannot
serve as a chaplain without my signa-
FALL 2013 | 23 22 | CHARITIES USA
For nearly 100 years, the Catholic Church in the United States has provided pastoral care for
Catholic military service members. Archbishop of the Military Services Timothy P. Broglio recently
spoke with Charities USA about the archdiocese and its commitment to Catholics in the military.
FALL 2013 | 25
ture. The archdiocese certifes that they can
indeed serve and represent the church.
We are, of course, the same as other dioces-
es in that we provide the same services. We
have a chancery, a tribunal, evangelization,
religious education, and youth outreach.
Charities USA: What are the challenges in
meeting the pastoral needs of Catholics in
the military?
Archbishop Broglio: Our biggest challenge is
that we are ministering to a constantly tran-
sient population. Unlike in traditional par-
ishes, where you have key people you can
rely on for a long time, we have people for at
most two years, so we have to fnd the lead-
ers as soon as we can. Thankfully, people
who are going to get involved do so pretty
quickly.
Another challenge is coordinating pastoral
services in a war zone. One of our constant
concerns is getting chaplains where they are
needed. For example, a carrier group went
out recently without a Catholic priest. We
made sure one was sent. We monitor whats
going on and serve as advocates to make
sure Catholics in the military have access to
Catholic services. Its a lot to keep track of
with easily more than 200 military installa-
tions worldwide.
Charities USA: Many service members suffer
from moral injury, which has been defned
as perpetrating, failing to prevent, bearing
witness to, or learning about acts that trans-
gress deeply held moral beliefs and expec-
tations. This kind of injury can impact how
one feels before God and his or her faith
community. What counsel does the church
provide to service members suffering from
moral injury?
Archbishop Broglio: I think our answer is
very similar to what a mental health provid-
er would saythat it is a civil power that de-
cides to fght, not the individual person. That
being said, weve learned the importance of
listening, of allowing people to tell their story,
to get out what is affecting them inside. And
we can help them through the process of
reconciliation with God and forgiveness if
they feel they need it.
Charities USA: What is the message that
Catholics in the military need to hear most
from the church?
Archbishop Broglio: The most important
message is that they are welcome among us.
As a community, it is important for us to wel-
come them when they arrive in a new area
and to nurture them through a ministry of
presence. The Auxiliary Bishops and I make
it a point to visit every military installation
each year, which emphasizes the important
message that we appreciate who they are
and the sacrifces they are making. n
24 | CHARITIES USA
Our biggest challenge is that we are ministering to a constantly transient population. Unlike
in traditional parishes, where you have key people you can rely on for a long time, we have
people for at most two years, so we have to fnd the leaders as soon as we can.
26 | CHARITIES USA
BUILDING BRIDGES
OF OPPORTUNITY
For three days in mid-September, Catholic Charities professionals from across the country gath-
ered in San Francisco for the Catholic Charities USA 2013 Annual Gathering. This gathering, the
pre-eminent gathering for the Catholic Charities network, provided the opportunity for attendees
to connect with colleagues, learn new ideas, and fnd inspiration and rejuvenation together. Our
thanks go out to Catholic Charities CYO of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for their hard work
and dedication in hosting this years Annual Gathering.
FALL 2013 | 27
Pre-Conference Institutes & Spiritual Retreat
On Saturday, the day before the Annual Gathering opened, CCUSA held six
day-long institutes on various topicsfood insecurity, development and com-
munications, immigration, public policy, parish social ministry, and fnanceto
allow in-depth instruction and discussion for participants. Also on Saturday,
CCUSA hosted a spiritual retreat at Mission Dolores, the oldest original intact
mission in California. Dr. Klaus Baumann, a scholar of theology and psychol-
ogy and a key presenter in CCUSAs OGrady Institute in Freiburg, Germany,
spoke on how to maintain a sense of mission in the face of challenges.
Opening Session
In the opening session of the gathering on Sunday morning, Rev. Larry
Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, addressed the gathering, empha-
sizing the need for reform and announcing that fve communities would be
selected in the coming months to pilot CCUSAs reform principles. He report-
ed on the Lab for Economic Opportunity (LEO), a partnership between CCUSA
and the University of Notre Dame to identify the most effective poverty reduc-
tion programs through academic research. He also reported on CCUSAs ef-
forts in fostering social enterprise, specifcally through a Social Venture Boot
Camp to help agencies develop social enterprises (See page 31). Fr. Snyder
commended attendees for their creativity and courage in fnding bridges to
opportunity for people living in poverty.
Keynote Speaker Melissa Paulsen
Melissa Paulsen, assistant director of the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship
in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, spoke
about the future of social enterprise and reported on the success of the frst
Social Venture Boot Camp held at Notre Dame in August for Catholic Charities
agency staff. She encouraged agencies to develop social enterprise plans
and attend the next boot camp in 2014.
Opening Liturgy
The opening liturgy on Sunday afternoon was held at the Cathedral of St.
Mary of the Assumption, an inspiring place of worship combining ancient
faith with modern architecture.
Photos: Jason Steinberg, Steinberg Imagery
FALL 2013 | 29 28 | CHARITIES USA 28 | CHARITIES USA
Workshops: This years workshops covered a host of topics: organizational health,
cross-sector partnerships, adult day health care, programs for veterans, social media,
public policy, fundraising, strategic planning, Catholic identity, parish partnerships,
service delivery, social enterprise, and many more. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara
County also conducted a poverty simulation to help people understand the barriers
that make it diffcult for low-income families to make ends meet.
Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award: At the Awards Dinner on Sunday evening,
Kathleen-Dooley-Polcha received the Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Award for her work on
behalf of children throughout her long career at the Catholic Home Bureau, an affliate
agency of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. For the last 17 years, she
has directed the Maternity Services Department, which supports women with a crisis
pregnancy in parenting their children or placing them for adoption. She has also been
actively involved as a leader in CCUSAs Children, Youth, and Family Services section.
Volunteer of the Year Award: Fr. George Kloster, CCUSAs 2013 National Volunteer
of the Year, was honored for his work to support the Offce of Economic Opportunity
in Murphy, NC, a poverty reduction program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of
Charlotte. He was instrumental in getting the program started 15 years ago, and has
worked tirelessly since then to advise and support the programs staff, raise money for
the program, and encourage the community to participate in the programs poverty re-
duction efforts.
Vision Award: Catholic Charities USAs 2013 Vision Award was presented to Bishop
Michael Driscoll, Bishop of Boise. For more than a decade, he has served as the
USCCBs Episcopal Liaison to Catholic Charities USA. For far longer, however, he has
been actively involved in the work of Catholic Charities, especially during his ministry in
the Diocese of Orange (California) and more recently in the Diocese of Boise (Idaho),
where he led the effort to establish one of our networks newest agencies, Catholic
Charities of Idaho.
Keynote Speaker Patrick Lencioni: On Monday morning, Patrick Lencioni, a best-
selling author and expert in fostering organizational health, gave a dynamic presenta-
tion on the importance of functional and cohesive leadership teams, which are charac-
terized by trust, healthy confict, commitment, accountability, and a focus on results.
Hot Topics Luncheon: At lunch on Monday, attendees picked up boxed lunches and
headed to various tables to join their colleagues and discuss the tables assigned
topic. The topics varied widely, capturing the important and interesting issues facing the
Catholic Charities network.
Sojourn Theater: Sojourn Theater returned to the Annual Gathering this year, perform-
ing another creative work based on interviews with conference attendees as well as at-
tendees of the preceding Partners in Excellence gatherings. The performance captured
the voices of Catholic Charities employees, portraying the daily challenges and rewards
of their work. Members of the ensemble group also conducted a workshop on the
power of compelling stories in furthering the work of Catholic Charities.
Closing Gala: On Monday evening, Catholic Charities CYO hosted a closing gala at
the California Academy of Sciences, which houses a planetarium, aquarium, rain forest,
and natural history museum. In this wondrous setting, conference attendees enjoyed
the diverse cuisines of San Francisco, the fne wines of the regions vineyards, and the
fun of lively music and dancing.
Photos (Sojourn Theater and Closing Gala): Elias Kontogiannis, Catholic Charities USA
2014 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering
SEE YOU IN CHARLOTTE!
October 4-7, 2014 Charlotte, NC
Think of the term boot camp and an in-
tense, rigorous, and exhausting exercise regi-
men comes to mind. While its demanding
in so many ways, its also meant to achieve
dramatic results in a short amount of time.
Thats just what representatives of six
Catholic Charities agencies experienced in
August at Catholic Charities USAs Social
Venture Boot Camp, held in partnership
with the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship
of the Mendoza College of Business at the
University of Notre Dame. The agency teams
came with well-developed ideas for social
ventures and worked in high gear for long
hours to get their plans in shape.
It turned out that boot camp was the right
name for the conference, as we worked very
hard for fve straight days! said David Siler,
executive director of Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese of Indianapolis. But the work
paid big dividends for us as we gained a
much better understanding of how we can
approach our fnancial services venture.
The boot camp came about as a result of
Catholic Charities USAs emphasis on em-
bracing market-based strategies to over-
come poverty. Social enterprise is one such
strategy, which can help agencies fulfll their
mission while achieving sustainability for the
organization.
To provide a well-rounded education on
social enterprise, the boot camp tapped the
entrepreneurial expertise of Notre Dame fac-
ulty and social venture owners, consultants
and investors, who drilled down on topics
such as business plan development, stake-
holder analysis, earned income and revenue
streams, legal issues, competition, custom-
er relations, emerging funding models, and
measuring for impact. The camp also fea-
tured business mentorsNotre Dame alumni
and Catholic Charities directors who are run-
ning social ventures similar to those pro-
posed by the agencies at the camp.
Our mentor added invaluable insight to our
evaluation process and challenged us on
many aspects of our proposed program,
said David. Our agency could never have
afforded the consultation that we received
from our mentor during the program.
The boot camp concluded with each agency
making a presentation about their social
venture to a group of community leaders
and Notre Dame faculty, who pressed them
on the particulars of their plan.
Although somewhat intimidating, [it] was
very much like what we can expect in the
real world when we present our project to
potential investors, said David.
Overall, the boot camp gave the agency
teams the opportunity to test and develop
their ideas within a sound business frame-
work, an opportunity David recommends. I
wholeheartedly endorse the social enter-
prise boot camp for any Catholic Charities
agency that is seriously considering taking
their agency in this direction.
CCUSA LAUNCHES SOCIAL VENTURE BOOT CAMP AT NOTRE DAME
GETTING
YOUR SOCIAL
VENTURE IN
SHAPE
FALL 2013 | 31 30 | CHARITIES USA
32 | CHARITIES USA
It turned out that boot camp
was the right name for the
conference, as we worked very
hard for fve straight days!
David Siler, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis
We felt we had a proftable and viable plan
going in, but the camp helped us fne-tune it.
Elvira Ramirez, executive director, Catholic Charities,
Diocese of Stockton, CA
We are social workers. Were not trained in
business. We found we had to look at things
with a more income generating perspective.
Lauren Goldberg, program coordinator for the Refugee Agricultural Partnership,
Catholic Charities of Louisville, KY
Better to Know Now
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Louisville came to the
boot camp with a plan to expand their Refugee Agricultural
Partnership program into a social enterprise. The program
leases urban gardening plots to refugee families so they
can grow food for their family and friends and/or earn sup-
plemental income by selling the produce. Expanded into a
social enterprise, the venture would offer locally-grown or-
ganic produce to local markets and restaurants.
Lauren Goldberg, program coordinator for the Refugee
Agricultural Partnership, was one of her agencys team
members at the boot camp. From her perspective, the plan
they came with was pretty advanced, but they learned that
they had neglected to think about some things.
We are social workers. Were not trained in business, said
Lauren. We found we had to look at things with a more
income generating perspective.
When they did, they saw pretty quickly that their plan
wouldnt generate enough income. So now the team is
back at square one, and theres been a huge change in
their social enterprise ideas.
For Lauren, thats a good thing. It was better to know now
that our plan wouldnt work than fnd out down the road
when we were trying to do it. Now we can move on to more
sustainable and viable options. n
Were Better Prepared
Elvira Ramirez and Rosie DArcy, executive director and
development director, respectively, of Catholic Charities,
Diocese of Stockton, CA, came out of the boot camp better
prepared to launch their social enterprise. They plan to open
a thrift store in their community.
We felt we had a proftable and viable plan going in, but
the camp helped us fne-tune it, said Rosie. They helped
us look at all the details and gave us more information to
review and consider.
This deep evaluation of their social venture plan has given
Elvira and Rosie more confdence in presenting their plan
to the bishop and board of directors.
Were better prepared to present our business plan, to show
how it can be proftable, said Elvira. Were better prepared
to answer questions about it.
They are also going to take a little longer than they planned
in getting the thrift store started. We were planning on
opening the store as early as January, but through the
camp, we realized we needed to slow down and get more of
the pieces in place. n
FALL 2013 | 33
By Cindy Brovsky
34 | CHARITIES USA
BRING DESTRUCTION TO COLORADO
Following the devastating foods in Colorado this past September,
Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of
Denver entered into a powerful collaboration to meet the immediate
needs of disaster survivors and chart a course of recovery for the
long term.
CCUSA was indispensable, said Larry Smith, president and CEO
of Catholic Charities in Denver. They brought a tremendous amount
of experience, yet flled any role we needed with humility. They were
mentors and helped guide us in the right direction.
CCUSA recently granted $1.8 million to Catholic Charities of Denver
for long-term recovery assistance in the wake of the disaster.
Unprecedented fooding began the week of Sept. 8. The relentless
rain dumped 17 inches in some areas, demolishing homes, busi-
nesses and highways across more than a dozen counties. The foods
forced about 12,000 people to evacuate from mountain communi-
ties, cities and farms in northern Colorado, some feeing with only the
clothes on their backs. Eight people were killed.
At the Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering in San Francisco,
days after the foods began, Kim Burgo, senior director of disaster
services for CCUSA, suggested to Smith that Catholic Charities of
Denver mobilize to address daily needs of food survivorssuch as
water, blankets, cleaning, and hygiene supplies, as well as gift cards
to buy food and other necessities.
Burgo and Katie Oldaker, director of disas-
ter services for CCUSA, traveled to Denver
and went with Smith to northern Colorado
to survey the damage. Oldaker was famil-
iar with the area, having assisted in relief ef-
forts after a major forest fre in July 2012.
It was so inspiring to assist an agency that
wanted to learn, Oldaker said.
Catholic Charities was able to step up and
do some amazing things, said Smith. We
had four emergency distribution centers set
up in northern Colorado. We handed out
close to $100,000 in gift cards and more
than $150,000 of in-kind support. We mo-
bilized the northern parishes. We had 40
employees put in 1,800 hours in two weeks,
just on food relief, while we continued to do
all our other ministries. And we had 100 vol-
unteers put in more than 1,000 hours. So
we got a phenomenal response.
One single mother, fooded out of her home,
said that getting the help from the commu-
nity and the people that are willing to come
in and help us out means more than any-
body will ever know.
The Greeley Tribunes front-page headline on
Sept. 28 was: Catholic Charities Step in to
Help.
The CCUSA staffs work included teaching
Colorado staff about incident command sys-
tems and situation reports, Oldaker said.
They also helped at food relief distribution
centers and visited affected communities.
The sheer magnitude of the disaster area
was diffcult to handle, Oldaker recalled. I
think in two days I was in the car for 13
hours. We all had days like that. It was ex-
hausting. It showed our team how much
need was out there, plus how much support
Catholic Charities Denver was going to need
in the months and years ahead.
Staffers from Catholic Charities organiza-
tions in Camden, NJ, and Broome County,
NY, came to Colorado to help. Tonya Brown,
Shelly Kaminsky, and Tammy Hodges came
from New York state. From Camden, Mark
Taylor and Valerie Gonzalez of Veteran
Services and Rose Porcellini of the executive
offce came to work at the disaster relief dis-
tribution centers.
After Hurricane Sandy, people all over the
country, including Colorado, sent money, do-
nations, and volunteers, and we thought it
was appropriate to help Colorado in this
time of need, said Kevin Hickey, executive
director of Catholic Charities of Camden.
As with the Hurricane Sandy recovery in
New Jersey, Colorado offcials know they will
be working for months and years to get dis-
placed people resettled. Catholic Charities
USA has been with us all of the way and we
know they will be with us in the long-term,
Smith said. n
FALL 2013 | 35
RAGING
WATERS
Catholic Charities Denver and Catholic Charities USA Join Forces to Respond
S U P E R S T O R M S A N DY
365DAYS AFTER
Catholic Charities USA has released a report on our net-
works disaster response efforts in the last year to Superstorm
Sandy. The report captures the work of CCUSA and more than
a dozen agencies in responding to the disaster and helping
people rebuild their homes and lives. In the last year, CCUSA
has more than $14 million to assist Catholic Charities agen-
cies responding to Hurricane Sandy.
Visit www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org to read the report.
36 | CHARITIES USA
Update
CCUSA
Bishop David Zubik Appointed as
CCUSAs New Episcopal Liaison
Catholic Charities is pleased to announce that
the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, DD, bishop of
the Diocese of Pittsburgh, PA, was recently ap-
pointed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan as Catholic
Charities USAs new episcopal liaison.
Anyone who has met Bishop Zubik knows him to
be a man of great faith who will be a signifcant
contributor to our movement, said Rev. Larry
Snyder, CCUSA president. I look forward to his
presence and guidance as we continue to live
out Our Lords call to service and justice in com-
munities across the country.
Cardinal Dolan, acting in his role of president
of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, appointed Bishop Zubik to take the
place of the Most Reverend Michael Driscoll,
bishop of the Diocese of Boise, ID, who retired as
CCUSAs episcopal liaison earlier this year.
New offcers of the board were announced as well. The new chair of
the CCUSA Board of Trustees is Sister Linda Yankoski, CEO of Holy
Family Institute in Pittsburgh. Other new offcers include Peg Harmon,
CEO of Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, who will
serve as vice chair, and Chuck Cornelio, of Lincoln Financial Group,
who was elected to the position of board treasurer. Elida El-Gawly, di-
rector of community grants and investments for Sisters of Charity of
the Incarnate Word in Houston, TX, will serve as the new board secre-
tary. All were currently serving on the CCUSA Board when elected to
their new roles.
Two Washington Agencies Receive Social Innovation Awards
In early November, Catholic Charities USA presented Social
Innovation Awards to two Washington state local member agencies
during its Partners in Excellence Regional Gathering event held in
Coeur dAlene, ID, one of 10 regional gatherings taking place across
the country in 2013 and 2014. The Social Innovation Awards rec-
ognize socially-innovative programs being run by Catholic Charities
agencies and come with a $5,000 grant to be reinvested in the pro-
gram for its continued success.
Catholic Charities Housing Services of the Diocese of Yakima was
recognized for its New Life Homes Project, which was launched in
2004. Targeting families at or below 80% of the median income
for the Yakima area, the program helps frst-time homebuyers
achieve their dream of owning a home by offering fnancial assis-
tance in exchange for sweat equity.
Catholic Charities of Spokanes Vinegar Flats Community Farm ini-
tiative provides access to healthy and affordable fresh produce
from local farmers markets for those in need.
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is
pleased to recognize three com-
munity leaders for their outstand-
ing contributions to the cause of
justice and opportunity for all with
the 2014 Keep the Dream Alive
awards. Marcos Legaspi Herrera,
Roger Playwin, and Ron Laurent
have been named recipients of the
annual award, which is given to
individuals who have spent their
careers working on behalf of the
poor and marginalized in our so-
ciety. The honorees will receive
their awards at the 2014 Keep
the Dream Alive Mass, which will
be held Saturday, January 11,
2014, in Washington, DC, at Holy
Comforter-St. Cyprian Church.
CCUSA Welcomes Vision and Leadership of Four New Board Members
At the Annual Gathering in September, Catholic Charities USA commissioned four leaders from
the felds of law, academia, and non-proft administration to serve on its board of trustees.
These men and women are bringing their expertise and skills to assist our organization in
living out its mission, said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. But equally
importantly, they bring with them a true sense of service and a passion for improving the lives
of those who come to our agencies. We welcome them and give God thanks for the gifts and
talents they will bring to enrich our work.
The incoming board members are:
Gregory R. Kepferle, San Jose, CA. Kepferle is
the CEO of Catholic Charities of Santa Clara
County, where he has spearheaded bold ap-
proaches to ending poverty, such as Step Up
Silicon Valley and the 1,000 Out of Poverty
campaign.
Dr. Isaiah Ike McKinnon, Detroit, MI.
McKinnon is an associate professor at the
University of Detroit Mercy and is the former
chief of police for the city of Detroit.
Timothy F. Noelker, St. Louis, MO.
Noelker is a partner in Thompson Coburn LLPs
Business Litigation Department and a former
trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Heather Reynolds, Fort Worth, TX. As presi-
dent and CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth,
Reynolds has been on the forefront of social-
ly-innovative programs such as WORN Scarves
and TIN. In 2010, she received the papal
Benemerenti Medal.
M, J 16, 2012, 10:00 .
St. Aloysius Church, Washington, D.C. Reverend Monsignor John Enzler, Presider & Homilist
KEEP
THE
DREAM
ALIVE
Mass & Awards
KEEP THE
DREAM ALIVE
MASS & AWARDS
JANUARY 12, 2013, 4:30 PM
Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Roman Catholic Church
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington &
Catholic Charities USA
FALL 2013 | 37
CCUSA to Honor Three Leaders at Keep the Dream Alive Mass
FALL 2013 | 39 38 | CHARITIES USA
St. Cloud Agency Breaks Ground on Expansion of Childrens Home
NewsNotes
Almost 90 years ago, a dream started
to take formthe dream of a place
of welcome, safety, care, and hope
in Central Minnesota; a place where
the journey of life could begin anew.
In 1924, the St. Cloud Orphanage
opened its doors. Today, it is Catholic
Charities St. Cloud Childrens Home
and is a residential mental health
treatment program for youth. Te
home still stands as a sign of that
dream, of that belief that to welcome
children is to do what Jesus asked us
to when he said, Bring the children
to me.
While the building has served many
well, todays children require a very
dierent space. In August, Catholic
Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud,
MN, broke ground on an Intensive
Treatment Cottage. Tis additional
cottage will serve young people with
diagnosed mental illness who need
the closest amount of supervision and
care. Tis new cottage is the result of
several years of planning, study, de-
velopment, and hard work. Its a $4.6
million undertaking. A number of
generous individuals have already
pledged gifts to pay for it as part of
Catholic Charities Saving Children,
Saving Families campaign.
Catholic Charities Executive Director
Steve Bresnahan said, Te generosi-
ty and depth of caring that has already
been shown by our community for
children they dont even know touch-
es me.
Te new Intensive Treatment Cottage
will continue the tradition of St.
Cloud Childrens Home. It is expect-
ed to open in June of 2014 90 years
after the Catholic Charities St. Cloud
Childrens Home opened its doors for
the rst time.
Chicago Agency Hosts Golf Outing to
Beneft Children Affected by Suicide
Te 3rd Annual Patrick J. Ryan Golf
Outing, chaired by Former Attorney
General of Illinois, Jim Ryan, his wife,
Marie, and their family, took place on
August 15, 2013 at St. Andrews Golf
& Country Club in West Chicago.
Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland,
president of Catholic Charities of
Chicago, welcomed more than 300
guests to the event which featured
a continental breakfast, 18 holes of
golf, a lunch buet, dinner, a silent
and live auction, and a rae and fan-
tastic contest holes. Proceeds, which
were more than $100,000 net, ben-
eted Catholic Charities of Chicagos
LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors
of Suicide) Program for Children and
Youth, delivering counseling and sup-
port services to young people who
have lost a loved one to suicide. Te
program was started in 2010 as a
result of the tragic loss of the Ryan
familys youngest son, Patrick, to sui-
cide in 2007. Since its inception in
August 2010, the program has pro-
vided 125 children and youth with as-
sistance in coming to terms with their
painful loss through individual, family,
and group counseling.
Catholic Charities Worcester County
Wins Fourth Award for Annual Report
Te International Academy of the
Visual Arts announced that the 2013
Communicator Award of Distinction
was presented to Catholic Charities
Worcester County (MA) and its ex-
ecutive director, Catherine Loeer,
for the agencys 2012 Annual Report,
Imagine.... Te Award of Distinction
is given in an international advertis-
ing competition honoring the creative
excellence of communications pro-
fessionals. Tis is the fourth year that
Catholic Charities Worcester County
has received an award for its annual
report.
Monterey Catholic Charities Expands
Tattoo Removal Program
Catholic Charities Diocese of
Monterey held an open house on Sept.
25 at its new facility in Santa Cruz,
CA, to celebrate the successful col-
laboration with Dominican Hospital,
which merged its large Tattoo
Removal Program into Catholic
Charities existing program. Te ex-
panded program, now run solely by
Catholic Charities, serves nearly 300
people annually, removing barriers
to viable employment by broadening
economic and social opportunities for
individuals committed to forging a
dierent path for themselves.
West Tennessee Agency Celebrates
Launch of Veteran Services
Catholic Charities of West Tennessee
(CCWTN) recently celebrated
the launch of its new St. Sebastian
Veteran Services program in October.
Funded with a Supportive Services for
Veterans Families (SSVF) grant from
the U.S. Department of Veterans
Aairs (VA), CCWTN anticipates
helping 160 veterans and their fam-
ilies who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness during its rst year of
operation.
On October 18, Rev. Larry Snyder,
president of CCUSA, and Candy
Hill, executive vice president of social
policy and external aairs for CCUSA,
joined with the Most Reverend J.
Terry Steib, SVD, Bishop of Memphis,
local West Tennessee ocials, and the
sta of CCWTN in a launch event to
kick o this new program. Te work
of St. Sebastian Veteran Services will
focus on case management activities
designed to help nd permanent, in-
dependent living for homeless veter-
ans and their families as well as assist-
ing those facing imminent eviction or
foreclosure.
Tis program represents a signicant
new endeavor for our agency, said
Michael D. Allen, president and CEO
of CCWTN. Our eorts are meant
to help veterans access the resources
needed to remain living independent-
ly for the long term. Tese resources
may include accessing earned bene-
ts to which they are entitled as vet-
erans, employment counseling, per-
sonal nancial planning, and referrals
both to internal CCWTN resources
such as our food pantry, clothes closet,
Catholic Charities North Dakota
Announces New Executive Director
Brian Herding, chairman of the board
of directors of Catholic Charities North
Dakota, has announced the hiring of
Dianne Nechiporenko as the execu-
tive director of the agency. She received
a bachelors degree in Occupational
Terapy from the University of North
Dakota and completed advanced train-
ing in leadership/management from
Gallup University. She previously held
management positions at MeritCare
and Pracs Institute. Dianne and her
husband, Rick, have two children,
Cody and Katie. She is a member of
Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Fargo
and volunteers in serving meals at
Churches United for the Homeless. She
is also president of the North Dakota
Occupational Terapy Association.
FALL 2013 | 41 40 | CHARITIES USA
and summer camp as well as exter-
nal community resources such as legal
assistance.
Las Vegas Catholic Charities Adoption
Services Benefts from Cut-a-Thon
On August 11, Hair Raisers Salon in
Las Vegas, NV, held its rst ever Cut-
A-Ton to support Catholic Charities
of Southern Nevadas Adoption
Services. On a day that the salon is
normally closed, the owners and styl-
ists volunteered their time and were
met with a line stretching out the
door as they opened their chairs for
$5 haircuts and waxing. Te event
brought in $2,660 and a vehicle for
donation to the program.
Te event was inspired by Helen
and Mikas loving journey of adop-
tion. Twenty-four years ago Helen
had to make the dicult decision
to place her baby girl for adoption.
Twenty-one years later each contact-
ed Catholic Charities seeking infor-
mation to meet the other. Mother and
daughter (pictured above) were re-
united and have become best friends.
Finding her was one of the best mo-
ments of my life, Helen said. Helen
volunteers her time with Catholic
Charities Adoption Services to
provide a support group for birth
mothers.
Mikas parents Donna and Michael
were blessed with a baby girl 24
years ago. Susan, Catholic Charities
Adoption Coordinator, who placed
the baby girl in their arms, was pres-
ent when Mika and Helen were re-
united 21 years later!
Centennial Event a Success for
Catholic Charities Trenton
Marlene La-Collins, executive di-
rector of Catholic Charities, Diocese
of Trenton announced that the 24th
Annual Guardian Angel Dinner
Dance held September 21, was an ex-
traordinary success, with more than
500 in attendance and generating
$230,000 in operating funds for the
agency.
Our centennial celebration was a great
opportunity for us to tell the story
of the transforming impact Catholic
Charities makes in our community for
children, youth, and adults. Our mis-
sion is inspired by the Gospel, and I
rmly believe we are the hands and
feet of Jesus Christ reaching out to
those most in need. It is through the
generous support of our donors and
volunteers that we are able make this
dierence, said Lao-Collins.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth Receives
Benevon Sustainability Award
Catholic Charities Fort Worth
(CCFW) was proud to be among the
rst nonprot organizations to be hon-
ored with the Benevon Sustainability
Circle of Excellence Awards at
Benevons 2013 Sustainable Funding
Conference in August. CCFW accept-
ed this inaugural award, which honors
the rst exemplary nonprot organi-
zations that have attained sustainable
funding by implementing the Benevon
Model successfully over time.
Benevon trains and coaches nonprof-
it organizations to implement a mis-
sion-based system for raising sustain-
able funding from individual donors.
Tis system ends the suering about
fundraising and builds passionate and
committed lifelong donors.
CCFW has implemented the Benevon
Model for nearly 13 years, begin-
ning in 2002. During this time,
CCFW has had at least 4,000 people
attend their twice-monthly Catholic
Charities 101 tour, where guests
can learn more about the mission
and work of Catholic Charities Fort
Worth. Teir budget has grown from
$9.5 million to $23 million and they
have increased the number of individ-
uals served annually from 45,000 to
124,000.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Recognized as Hunger Relief Leader
Catholic Charities of Northeast
Kansas was named the 2013 Agency
of the Year by HarvestersTe
Community Food Network at its
annual Circle of Hope awards. Te
ceremony recognized organizations
and individuals leading the ght
against hunger in Northeast Kansas.
More than 200 philanthropists, com-
munity agencies, volunteers and cor-
porate food donors attended the event.
Catholic Charities of Northeast
Kansas operates ve food pantries
and distributes federal commodi-
ties through the Emergency Food
Assistance Program. Te agency also
partners with Harvesters to provide
classes and information on nutri-
tion. Further, the agency operates the
Resource Bus, which takes food and
other services to underserved areas, in-
cluding rural communities and urban
food deserts, where hunger rates are
high and access to healthy food is lim-
ited. With the help of its more than
1,000 volunteers, the agency estimates
it will provide emergency services, in-
cluding food, to about 45,000 dier-
ent people in scal year 2013.
Ride DVine Raises Funds for Yakimas
Housing Services
Te rst annual Ride DVine
Building Hope in the Valley fund-
raising event, in support of Catholic
Charities Housing Services of the
Diocese of Yakima, WA, proved quite
the success with 50 riders turning out
to accompany the Most Rev. Joseph J.
Tyson, Bishop of Yakima, on a scenic
25-mile bike ride through Central
Washingtons Yakima Valley wine
country, including visits to award win-
ning wineries.
During the ride, participants had an
opportunity to learn more about the
housing needs and challenges of those
responsible for cultivating the bounty
of the Yakima Valley and surround-
ing area. Te riders had opportuni-
ties to ride through hop elds, mean-
der along the ridge top of Konnowac
Pass, and then wind through orchards
and vineyards. Participants were invit-
ed to stop at local wineries where they
could enjoy wine tasting and sight-
seeing. Te highlight of the scenic
route, however, was an opportunity to
see Buena Nueva, one of the rst af-
fordable housing developments owned
and managed by Yakimas Catholic
Charities Housing Services
All proceeds of the bike ride benet-
ed the programs services that work to
empower those in need by enhanc-
ing the quality of their lives through
homeownership and aordable hous-
ing opportunities. By raising attention
and funds, the organization hopes to
alleviate poverty one family at a time.
Diaper Drive Brings In 13,000 Diapers
for Nashville-Area Babies
Catholic Charities of Tennessees
Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption
Services, also known as Caring
Choices, recently held a Nashville-
area diaper drive. Te drive coincided
with National Diaper Need Awareness
Week, a national movement to in-
crease awareness about the need for
diapers in lower-income communities.
Te drive exceeded expectations, gen-
erating more than 13,000 diaper do-
nations enough to provide for ap-
proximately 280 babies for a month.
Te agency distributes about 3,500
diapersthe equivalent of provid-
ing 70 babies with the diapers for a
full month. Every three months, area
families in need can receive help from
Catholic Charities with diapers and
other baby essentials such as wipes,
clothing, and formula.
One in three families struggles to pro-
vide clean diapers for their children,
said Scott Gubala, who oversees the
distribution of material assistance.
Government programs like WIC and
food stamps do not assist with dia-
pers, and cloth diapers are not allowed
in day care centers or laundromats.
Diapers are essential to the health and
well-being of mother and child.
Our material assistance program exists
only because of the generous support
of groups, churches, and individuals,
said Gubala. Its my hope that just as
people understand the need for a local
food bank, they will also see the need
for a local diaper bank.
Catholic Charities of Orange County
Steps Up Mission with New Programs
Two new programs highlight Catholic
Charities of Orange Countys mission
work this yearthe New Hope Crisis
Counseling Hotline and Citizenship
Education.
When the Diocese of Orange (CA) ac-
quired the former Crystal Cathedral
campus, now renamed Christ
Cathedral, Catholic Charities of
Orange County adopted its 45-year-
old Crisis Counseling telephone ho-
tline. Founded in 1968, the New
Hope Crisis Counseling Center has
been in continuous service 24 hours
a day/7 days a week as a church spon-
sored, suicide prevention telephone
counseling center. Catholic Charities
FALL 2013 | 43 42 | CHARITIES USA
retained the counseling director Dr.
Louise Dunn and some 60 active vol-
unteers in 20 states who had been
with the ministry before the change-
over. Trough this hotline, which will
expand the agencys existing counsel-
ing services, Catholic Charities will
touch the lives of some 1,000 callers
each month from all over the United
States who are in need of emotional
and spiritual support.
With a $250,000 grant from U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Catholic Charities will provide citi-
zenship preparation services for the
next two years. One of 40 organiza-
tions across the country to receive this
competitive grant award, Catholic
Charities expects to help 700 legal
permanent residents complete and le
naturalization applications and also
enroll approximately 300 individu-
als in ESL/citizenship education class-
es. Tree dierent class formats will
be implemented: a beginning class
for clients who are severely English-
decient, elderly, and /or slow learn-
ers; an intermediate class for those
who already applied for naturalization;
and a high level 3-hour special inter-
view preparation class for those with
set job interview appointments.
Boston Business Journal Recognizes
David Walsh as CIO of the Year
David Walsh, chief information of-
cer for Catholic Charities of the
Archdiocese of Boston, was recognized
as CIO of the Year in the nonprof-
it sector by Boston Business Journal in
late June.
We are very fortunate to have Dave
Walsh as part of our leadership team,
said Deborah Kincade Rambo, pres-
ident, Catholic Charities of Boston.
Dave has grown the technical infra-
structure of our organization while at
the same time striving to implement
cost-eective solutions for a non-prof-
it organization where money is always
tight and programming is the priority.
Walsh was recognized for his deter-
mination, creativity, and commit-
ment to Catholic Charities mission,
infrastructure, and employees. Walsh
built the Information Technology
Department at Catholic Charities into
a well-connected and skilled depart-
ment, implementing the agencys rst
IT Strategic Plan ($1.5M) that re-
duced overhead costs and simplied
IT support and building a help desk,
which included roles for a systems ad-
ministrator, a senior business soft-
ware administrator, a technical project
leader, and three technicians. Walsh
led his team in establishing a service-
oriented approach to assist a social
service agency comprised of over 500
employees with various technical
abilities.
Catholic Charities of Central Texas
Welcomes New Executive Director
Bishop Joe S. Vsquez, Diocese of
Austin, and the Catholic Charities
Board of Directors recently an-
nounced the appointment of Sara
Ramirez as executive director of
Catholic Charities of Central Texas
(CCCTX). With 11 years of manage-
ment and social services experience,
Ramirez brings a wealth of knowledge,
passion, and commitment to serv-
ing the poor and vulnerable. Prior to
coming to CCCTX, Ramirez served
as vice president of advancement
for Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
Ramirez will assume the role from in-
terim executive director, Christine
Reyes-Paiz. Catholic Charities of
Central Texas is extremely grateful for
Reyes-Paizs faithful leadership during
this transition. She will resume her
previous role as Catholic Charities
Business Manager.
New York State Offce for New Americans
Director Visits Catholic Charities Buffalo
In late July, Jorge Montalvo, direc-
tor of the New York State Oce for
New Americans (ONA), visited the
ONA Opportunity Center in Bualo,
located within the Immigration
and Refugee Assistance Program of
Catholic Charities. Montalvo thanked
sta, toured the center, sat in on an
ESOL class, and briefed reporters
on the work of the Oce for New
Americans, the rst statewide oce
with a sole focus to assist New York
States immigrants in their eorts to
contribute to the economy and become
a part of the family of New York.
Montalvo spoke of the programs cre-
ation and the misconceptions some
have about immigrants. We needed
to, as the progressive capital of the
nation, really show how you embrace
people. Its our heritage, our histo-
ry as a country and especially as New
York State, he said, adding, I think
sometimes folks have the precon-
ceived notion that immigrants dont
want to be a part of the communi-
ty; they want to be here. What they
need is that little help to learn the lan-
guage, so then they can get that job.
Tey want their community to suc-
ceed, they want their state to succeed,
and as they succeed, the state does
succeed.
Te Opportunity Center in Bualo
is one of 27 neighborhood centers es-
tablished across New York State de-
signed to help New Americans in the
area learn English, prepare them for
the U.S. citizenship exam, and help
them start and grow businesses so
they can fully participate in civic and
economic life and support their local
community.
Catholic Charities of St. Louis Achieves
Accreditation
Catholic Charities of St. Louis an-
nounced that the agency has achieved
national accreditation through
the New York-based Council on
Accreditation (COA). Tis is the fth
accreditation for Catholic Charities of
St. Louis.
Catholic Charities of St. Louis is a
federation of eight agencies: Cardinal
Ritter Senior Services; Catholic
Charities Community Services;
Catholic Family Services; Good
Shepherd Children & Family Services;
Marygrove; Queen of Peace Center; St.
Marthas Hall; and St. Patrick Center.
We are proud to receive this impor-
tant validation of our performance in
the eld of human services, said Jack
Lally, interim president of Catholic
Charities of St. Louis. It took 18
months to achieve this accreditation
and we are grateful for the tremen-
dous amount of work put into this
project by team members at Catholic
Charities and the eight agencies.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charleston
Expands Immigration Services
Te Oce of Immigration Services
for Catholic Charities of the Diocese
of Charleston in South Carolina is
growing in response to the increased
demand for immigration servic-
es. Remarkably, the Latino popula-
tion in South Carolina grew by 460%
between 1990 and 2007. Catholic
Charities has four immigration legal
services oces in South Carolina to
meet the increased need for services,
specically Charleston, Hilton Head,
and two oces in Greenville.
Recently, the Charleston immigra-
tion oce moved into a new location,
giving them increased space to ac-
commodate more sta and volunteers.
With increased sta and more volun-
teers from the local law school, this
oce will likely be able to serve 480
additional families annually.
In existence since April 2012, the
Hilton Head immigration oce is
also working hard to serve a rapidly-
growing immigrant population. Mily
Choy, a sta person in the Hilton
Head oce, recently obtained her
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
accreditation, and the Hilton Head
oce is now also recognized by the
BIA. Tis certication will give Choy
the chance to act as her clients direct
representative and represent clients in-
dependently in front of USCIS.
St. Patrick Center Raises $13,000 in its
First Walk a Mile in Our Shoes Event
St. Patrick Center held its 1st Annual
Walk a Mile in Our Shoes 5K run/
walk on August 17 at Tower Grove
Park in St. Louis, MO. Over 400 par-
ticipants came to support St. Patrick
Center through the agencys Young
Friends Development Board by par-
ticipating in the 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run,
or Kids Dash to raise awareness and
funds to support St. Patrick Center
clients who are homeless or at risk of
becoming homeless. With the sup-
port and the generosity from dedi-
cated sponsors and volunteers, the
agency raised more than $13,000 to
help its clients build permanent, posi-
tive change. n
Calendar
44 | CHARITIES USA
Date Meeting Location Contact
January 11 Keep the Dream Alive Mass & Awards Washington, DC
Tina Baldera
(703) 236-6233
January 17-24 The OGrady Institute Jerusalem
Kathy Brown
(703) 236-6245
February 19-21 Partners in Excellence Honolulu, HI
Jean Beil
(703) 236-6229
March 10-12 New Diocesan Directors Institute Alexandria, VA
Kristan Schlichte
(703) 236-6240
March 23-28 From Mission to Service South Bend, IN
Troy Zeigler
(703) 236-6239
April 2 National Poverty Summit Washington, DC
Lucreda Cobbs
(703) 236-6243
April 3-4 Diocesan Directors Spring Gathering Alexandria, VA
Kristan Schlichte
(703) 236-6240
April 4-5 Parish Social Ministry Regional Training Portland, OR
Tina Baldera
(703) 236-6233
O
n one fateful day in 2005, Maviss life was
turned upside down when she learned she had
breast cancer. She would soon begin the ght
of her life, undergoing a radical mastectomy
followed by extensive, long-term treatments. In the blink of
an eye, Mavis found she needed help with everything, from
preparing meals to getting to doctors appointments. Her life
and her independence had changed drastically.
Maviss sons were very concerned and did everything they
could to help, but found it dicult to provide the kind of
skilled care she needed. Fortunately, Maviss physician un-
derstood the diculties she faced and promptly referred her
to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington
(CCS). A Home Care supervisor from CCS met with Mavis
and her family, and together they created a plan that meant
Mavis could get the help she needed to remain in her home
and live independently.
CCS Home Care assistants Bonnie and Sharon were as-
signed to work with Mavis. Tey have been with her for eight
years now, and the three women have forged a strong bond.
Bonnie and Sharon, who Mavis aectionately calls my
CCS girls, help Mavis with tasks like dressing and shower-
ing, house cleaning, picking up groceries, and getting to var-
ious medical appointments. Tey also provide much-needed
caring and companionship.
Trough it all Bonnie and Sharon have been by Maviss side.
Devoted CCS volunteers have also helped Mavis with trans-
portation, packing and moving her household, and laying
down gravel in her driveway. Mavis says, Bonnie and Sharon
were my legs and helped me walk in my yard and get exercise.
CCS has just been there when I needed them and they have
been there with me since the beginning.
Last year, CCS provided 1.75 million hours of home care to
seniors and people with disabilities. As the numbers of indi-
viduals needing in-home care continues to grow, CCS will
be there, working to provide much-needed essential services,
including local meal sites, home-delivered meals, and senior
transportation programs. n
High Quality, Not High Cost!
Did you know that Charities USA is...
Designed in-house by CCUSAs
Creative Services Team?
Printed on an economical paper stock?
Sized and organized to get maximum
use of the press sheet paper we
purchase?
Printed by a press that is wind
powered, uses recycled paper, and soy
based inks?
Dont be fooled by the quality
look of Charities USA. We are
committed to using our funds
in the most cost-ecient way
possible so that we can forward
our work to reduce poverty in
America.
THE MAGAZINE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES USA
2014 Trainings & Events
Creating Hope.
Providing Help.
A Home Care supervisor from
Catholic Community Services met
with Mavis and her family, and
together they created a plan that
meant Mavis could get the help she
needed to remain in her home and
live independently.
2
0
5
0

B
a
l
l
e
n
g
e
r

A
v
e
n
u
e
S
u
i
t
e

4
0
0
A
l
e
x
a
n
d
r
i
a
,

V
A

2
2
3
1
4
N
O
N
-
P
R
O
F
I
T

O
R
G
.
U
.
S
.

P
O
S
T
A
G
E
P
A
I
D
W
a
s
h
i
n
g
t
o
n
,

D
C
P
e
r
m
i
t

#
3
0
7
0
Put your ideals
into practice.
Pass along the social teachings
of the church with a
professional degree from a
Catholic School of Social Work.
Barry University
Miami, FL
(305) 899-3900
www.barry.edu/socialwork
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
(617) 552-4020
www.bc.edu/socialwork
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
(773) 325-4141
http://las.depaul.edu/msw
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
(708) 366-3463
www.socialwork.dom.edu
Fordham University
New York, NY
(212) 636-6600
www.fordham.edu/gss
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
(312) 915-7005
www.luc.edu/socialwork
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
(570) 348-6282
www.marywood.edu/ssw
Newman University
Wichita, KS
(316) 942-4291 ext. 2216
www.newmanu.edu/msw.aspx
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX
(210) 431-3969
www.ollusa.edu/wordenschool
St. Ambrose University
Davenport, IA
(563) 333-3910
www.sau.edu/msw
St. Catherine University/
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, MN
(651) 962-5810
www.stthomas.edu/socialwork
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO
(314) 977-2752
http://socialwork.slu.edu
Spalding University
Louisville, KY
(502) 588-7183
www.spalding.edu
The Catholic University of
America
Washington, DC
(202) 319-5496
http://ncsss.cua.edu
University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
(815) 740-5072
www.stfrancis.edu/academics/social-work
SW1305_11
SW130511 CatholicCharitiesBack ad_SW_942.04 BW_SocialJust Flyer 3/29/11 9:50 AM Page 1