connectionsVol. 18 issue 2 - September 2015

Special Papal Visit Edition

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

cssResponding to the call of Pope Francis

“To love God and neighbor means seeing in every person the face of the

Lord to be served … And you are, dear brothers and sisters,

the face of Jesus.”

“The most vulnerable and the poor are masterpieces of God’s creation … and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

“I believe in the kindness of others, and that I must love them without fear.”  

“The world tells us to seek success, power, and money; God tells us to seek humility, service, and love.” 

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”

“We all have a duty to do good.”

Our Holy Father leading by example

“In the poor and outcast we see Christ's face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ.”

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a message fromThe Secretary for Catholic Human Services

As we welcome Pope Francis for his historic visit to Philadelphia, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of seeing the Holy Father right here among us. His charisma and genuine joyfulness are truly contagious – perhaps you have noticed that in many photos of him, he is smiling or even laughing. He truly embodies the title of his first apostolic exhortation: the Joy of the Gospel!

Yet we cannot let our fascination with the man distract us from the urgency of his message. Pope Francis reminds us that Christ became poor and was always close to the outcast and most neglected members of society. Our Holy Father invites each of us in turn to be an instrument of God’s mercy and loving concern for the poor. He calls us

The pope goes further, saying that those we serve have much to teach us, and we will find Christ in them. As we accompany them in their difficulties and lend our voice to their causes, Pope Francis invites us to risk a “genuine closeness and ten-derness” that allows us to become their friends, to appreciate their goodness, and to see them as “one with us” on our shared journey to the kingdom of our loving Father in heaven.

In the pages that follow, we share with you some of the ways that Catholic Social Services responds to the call of Pope Francis. As we serve thousands of people in need every day, and transform lives in the process, we are grateful for your on- going financial support and prayers. Let us join with our Holy Father in being joyful witnesses to the love of God alive in our world.

Joseph J. Sweeney, Jr. Secretary for Catholic Human Services

“… to be a leavening of life and love … to listen to needs, desires and disappointments, despair, hope. We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, and spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.”

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SAINT JOHN'S HOSPICE - providing "our daily bread"Saint John’s Hospice offers short-term shelter for 40 men while providing them with assistance to break the cycle of homelessness. Hundreds more receive day services including a place to shower and change, receive mail, obtain clothing and shoes, and meet with a case man-ager. Over 350 men line up each day for a hot lunch, consisting of casseroles prepared by parish and school groups from throughout the region. Anthony Willoughby, who directs food operations, remembers Ron, who he saw one day eat-ing but crying: “When I asked what was wrong, he looked at me with tears run-ning down his face and said that it was the first good meal he’d had in weeks.”

Karimah struggled early in life with substance abuse and depression. After rehab, she found a safe and stable home life with her daughter Amirah at Visitation Homes, a CSS transitional housing program for women with young chil-dren. While at Visitation, Karimah received mental health services, life skills training, child-care and recovery support. She achieved sobriety and moved on to independent housing, while volunteering at a parish outreach program where she had gone for food while homeless. Later hired as program manager, she now coordinates 75 volunteers who serve lunches and deliver frozen meals to homebound neighbors. She says, “I love to help people. This is God’s work to have me in position to be able to give back. They helped me, and now I can do the same for others. It is all good and all God.”

VISITATION HOMES - a success story

Sheltering theHOMELESS

216 formerly homeless men, women & children in residence daily400+ meals served daily to those currently homeless or hungry

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WOMEN OF HOPE - a community of mutual care and concern for others

Women of Hope offers two residences for women with chronic mental health issues. Four Sisters of Mercy anchor

the staff at Vine Street, creating a sense of community and mutual care that makes for a warm, homelike environment.

Pictured on the right are Sr. Maureen Crissy RSM and Sr. Eileen Sizer RSM.

Three formerly homeless women, now residents of Women of Hope - Vine Street, are doing their part to help others in need. Last spring, they collected cereal for poor mothers and children, and now to honor the visit of Pope Francis, they are collecting toiletries for homeless persons at nearby shelters. Using their own limited resources and donations from others, they have purchased shampoo, soap, and toothpaste to distribute to others who like them have experienced poverty and homelessness. Liz McBride has resided at Women of Hope for 4 years, a native Philadelphian who went to Cardinal Dougherty High School and was a member of St. Helena’s parish. She says, “It makes me happy to

give back, because I'd still be homeless if the sisters hadn't taken me in. They helped me with my anger and loneliness, so I want to do something good for others.” Madeline Voiro from South Philadelphia is a graduate of Maria Goretti High School, and has been at Women of Hope for 10 years. She says living in a safe and pleasant place has helped her develop good friendships, and “giving back to the homeless really touches my heart. I'm on a limited income, but I try to do what I can.” Arnitha Miles has been at Women of Hope for 13 years, and is doing this “because the Pope wants us to help the poor, even though I'm poor myself. But we are always able to help others, right?

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Richard Quarles (17) felt happy when he came to the Hall: “I was finally in a good program where I could succeed and then get a good job.” He learned to have fun and be happy again, and wants to be an auto mechanic.

Lamont Roundtree (15) knew that “I’ve got to do better and remember that I'm so much better than I made myself out to be before.” He learned he can do well in school, so now he wants to go to college and eventually study law.

Wayne Rhoads (15) felt disappointed to let family members down by being adjudicated delinquent – “the worst point in my life.” When he learned he could work toward Microsoft certification at St. Gabe’s, “that turned my life around. It motivated me to go to college and major in computer science.”

Kareem Willis (18) just “wanted to turn my life around.” At the Hall, he studied more, achieved honor roll, and became a good public speaker. He learned construction and culinary arts, and has lots of career options. He also wants “to help other guys know that their life can be better.”

Antonio Pinero (17) was “mad I had to waste a year here” but when he found out he could work and make money at the Hall, “it made time go by a little faster.” He learned landscaping, kitchen and custodial work, and discovered how to be self-dependent. He wants to become a carpenter and build houses.

Personal mottos for success:

Richard: Push yourself to achieve your goals.

Lamont: Don't be anybody but yourself.

Wayne: Dedication and determination.

Kareem: It's all a blessing in disguise.

Antonio: You are your best friend.

ST. GABRIEL'S HALL - writing a new story

Jolene Fulmore, a graduate of Little Flower High School, worked in the OST summer WorkReady program for 4 years. After serving as a camp coun-selor and doing office work, her final summer she landed a job in interior design at Wulff Architects of Philadelphia. That successful experience led to a year-long internship that has continued during college. Now a sophomore at Temple, Jolene attri-butes WorkReady with teaching her time-manage-ment skills and how to dress professionally and act

appropriately in the workforce: “What I learned through WorkReady helped me to turn an internship into a future job opportunity.” Her ultimate goal is to design hotels, but she is also giving back by teaching younger children in an OST summer pro-gram. Ruby Fantusi, her internship supervisor, was impressed with what Jolene brought to the experi-ence: “She takes initiative, thinks on her feet, and is always responsible. She always comes to us with her questions and ideas, and really wants to learn.”

EmpoweringYOUTH

151 young people placed in CSS WorkReady summer jobs320 court-adjudicated youth served daily by St. Gabriel’s System

AN OST SUCCESS STORY - from camp counselor to design intern

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Four students from a CSS summer youth employment program took top honors at the 2015 WorkReady Expo sponsored by the Phil-adelphia Youth Network, selected from among 400 youth presenting projects at the PA Con-vention Center. The winning project is called Philly Phinds, a mobile application designed to assist teenagers seeking youth-oriented resourc-es and programs in the region. Team members Tatyana Rodriguez, Sabrina Rivera, Islam Martinez, and Jessika Gbai participated in a six-week internship program to build skills in project design and development, networking and job readiness. All agreed that they learned the value of teamwork and perseverance in the face of challenges and setbacks. Mentor Jonathon Edwards notes: “This empowers them and broadens their horizons by creating something interesting and useful.” Half will be the first in their family to go to college, and the WorkReady program confirms for many their desire to dream bigger, go further, and realize the reward for working hard now to get a college degree.

WorkReady Philadelphia is the

city's workforce

preparation system

for youth and young

adults, supported

by investments from

government, local

and national philan-

thropies and Greater

Philadelphia

employers.

OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS Learning skills, building futures

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CelebratingCHILDREN

OST Elementary OST Middle School OST High School St. Edmond's Camp Rainbow

TOTAL

Children Participating in CSS Summer Camps

72716410842

1,041

OST = Out of School Time programsCamp Rainbow serves children with disabilities

Friendship

Responsibility

Fun

Learning

Sharing

Caring

Respect Challenge

Teamwork

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YTD (year to date):3,736 parents participated in Parent Cafes and Strengthening Families Programs

18,757 households received food last year from 8 food pantries across regionStrengtheningFAMILIES

Juan Reyes, 59, came to Philadelphia sick and without food or health insurance. He had never asked for help before, and was frustrated calling many times and places for public assistance. Then Juan found the BenePhilly program at Casa, which can enroll individuals in a dozen public assistance programs for which they may be eligible. Grateful for the responsive and caring help of CSS staffer

BENEPHILLY - helping clients access benefits

Ramon Guitart, he qualified for health insurance and supplemental nutrition benefits. Juan is now healthy again and with job search assistance found work as a custodian. As Ramon explains, “Bene-Philly allows Casa to be an intermediary helping people navigate the benefits system. We show that we care, that helping them is our job, and they are really appreciative of what we do for them.”

Melanie and Greg Quackenbush met while in col-lege, and after being married 5 years and struggling to conceive naturally, decided to pursue adoption. As members of St. Charles Borromeo parish, they liked the guidance the Church offers on children and family life, so they contacted CSS Adoption because it aligned well with their values. They ap-preciated social workers being realistic about waiting time and potential issues as a mixed race couple in

ADOPTION - love makes for a "family fully alive"

terms of preferences of a birth mother. As it turned out, they adopted two baby boys in 4 years, both of mixed race. Melanie recalls gratefully how “our social worker Ebony encouraged and supported us through the whole process, and other adoptive couples we met were so helpful. We knew that we had advocates for us who knew and cared about us. We were embraced as part of a larger Catholic family that helped us as we grew into a family with our own children.”

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FROM FOOD PANTRIES TO Martha's Choice Markets

CSS food pantries have provided vital assistance to fam-ilies across the region for decades. All are now adopting a new approach by allowing clients greater choice in the food they receive. In addition to non-perishables, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meat products will now be readily available, thanks to donations used to pur-chase glass-door refrigerators like those found in gro-

cery stores. The “choice model” permits clients to walk through the market with a staff person or volunteer, simulating a “shopping experience” as they select foods matching their needs and preferences. Clients also benefit from nutrition education to help them make healthier food choices. The markets are named after St. Martha, who served Jesus at table.

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PREGNANCY & PARENTING SUPPORT

WelcomingIMMIGRANTS

Juana, who is from Mexico and has 3 young children, came to Casa del Carmen for parent-ing classes and the parent café. She learned how to discipline without yelling or being physical. Once home and depressed, she's now more social and can talk about her concerns: “I can count on the people at Casa to both help and understand. It's made a big difference.”

Luisa is recently arrived from Santo Domingo and has an 8-month-old son. She came to Casa for diapers, formula, and baby clothes, and is also taking parenting and nutrition classes. She says, "I'm a single mom and this is my first child, so with no family here I felt lonely and needed to learn how to take good care of my baby. Casa del Carmen has really changed my life.”

Parent educator Jenny Munguia observes: “Here we listen to and learn from each other. Casa provides material assistance with things like cribs and car seats, but also offers emotional support and guidance that young mothers desperately need. Here we are like family.”

5,490 women received prenatal support & pregnancy classes (40% immigrants)7,457 Hispanic clients served at Casa del Carmen and Fatima Outreach Center

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FOOD ASSISTANCE AND NUTRITION EDUCATION

Nancy and her husband are from Mexico, and have two young children. The Fatima Outreach Center has helped them learn how to shop smart and save money, how to prepare food and eat healthy, and provided food assistance to make it through the month. They can’t thank everyone enough, as they admit “we wouldn’t be making it without this help.” Tutti came to Fatima Outreach Center for prenatal

support, as she is pregnant with her first child. She and husband Anthony recently arrived from Libe-ria, and although working he is not making much, so they need food assistance. They also participate in the nutrition program, so she knows what to eat and not eat, as well as wellness practices to have a healthy baby. They are very appreciative and “pray a blessing on those who have been a blessing to us.”

Casa del Carmen, which serves Hispanics and other immigrant groups in North Philadelphia, has been awarded a $15,000 grant by PNC Bank for a new Literacy Learning Lab. The lab will primarily serve underprivileged preschool age children of Casa del Carmen Academy, which provides low-income families with affordable early childhood education. Most come from immigrant families with limited English proficiency, so the lab will offer both print

and digital reading material to build literacy skills. The PNC Bank Grow Up Great grant was used to purchase books, a literacy program, new carpet and a projector for the new lab, which will promote math, literacy, and technology skills. PNC Bank employees worked throughout the week painting and assembling new furniture for the lab. Casa del Carmen also offers family support programs and emergency services such as clothing, food, rent and mortgage assistance.

LITERACY LEARNING LAB FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

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260 in Divine Providence Day Programs for adults with intellectual disabilities344 persons in community group homes, campus cottages & family homes Supporting those with

DISABILITIESDON GUANELLA HOMES - celebrating the past, embarking on the future

As the last residents prepared to leave Don Guanella Village, home to many for years or decades, a “Mass of Thanksgiving” was cele-brated at the Cardinal Krol Cen-ter. The event culminates a 2-year planned move of 120 men to a dozen community group homes and a new “mini-campus” on land adja-cent to the former DGV campus.Fr. Dennis Weber SdC, a Servant of Charity, presided at the Mass.

Cardinal Krol Homes – A Community of Don Guanella, features three cottages each serving 10 men with intel-lectual disabilities and more involved health care needs. The 55-year tradition of faith-based service for persons

with intellectual disabilities continues in the “spirit of Don Guanella” guided by his Servants of Charity motto – “in all things, Love.”

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PAINTING A MURAL? everybody can do that!

Clients of Divine Providence Village (DPV) Day Pro-grams participated in a mural painting project for the World Meeting of Families and visit of Pope Francis. Sections of the mural have been painted by hundreds

of people at a dozen Archdiocesan locations. The sections will be assembled on the brick facade of St. Malachy School in North Philadelphia to visually capture the WMOF theme, “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”

DPV Day Programs provide an occupational thera-py workshop where persons with intellectual dis-abilities are employed in meaningful and productive activities, for which they receive compensation. Day Programs are now located at the former Our Lady of Fatima school in Secane, Delaware County. If you are interested in having a family member participate in the DPV Day Programs, contact Admissions Coordinator Barbara Jenkins at 484-908-6591.

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PROVIDING HELP - CREATING HOPE

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 138

cSS

PROVIDING HELP ~ cREATING HOPE

cATHOLIc SOcIAL SERVIcESArchdiocese of Philadelphia222 North 17 StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19103Ph: 215-587-3754 Fax: 215-587-2479

th

The Holy Father has made a fervent call for persons of faith, and indeed all people of good will, to care for the poor. He has challenged us to make our love concrete by reaching out in charity and mercy to those who suffer … Let’s begin today to heed the challenge of Pope Francis. Let’s work together with a passion for mercy and justice.

– Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap.

Special Papal Visit Edition

To donate or volunteer go to www.cssphiladelphia.org

You make visible the Church’s love for the poor. With your daily service, you are – as a

Psalm says – the hand of God that satisfies the hunger of every living thing.

– Pope Francis