VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1 A NEWSLETTER FOR THE FRIENDS OF ST. VINCENT’S HOUSE DECEMBER 2012

INVITATION 2

CATHOLIC CHARITIES 2

BENEFITS BANK 2

NEW ART PROJECT 2

PRESCHOOL 3

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL 3

BOARD MESSAGE 4

CONTACT INFO 4

HOPE NOTES 4

The Art of Community Building David Miller Honored as “Houston’s Hero”

St. Vincent’s Day Supporters included: Rev. Susan Kennard, Rev. Chester Makowski,

Brandon Marshall, Mayor Louis Rosen and Richard Beatie. Photos by Angela Hill

D avid Miller, was honored as a “Houston’s Hero” by a grateful com-

munity for his years of service. Miller, a current and past NAACP

President, accepted the award from Executive Director Michael Jackson

on St. Vincent’s Day, September 29, 2012. Miller has served Galveston

in numerous capacities for his entire career. In addition to the NAACP,

Miller has served on the City of Galveston’s Planning Department, in the

Grants Department administering CDBG Funding, and as a School Bus

Driver for G.I.S.D.

Miller is the 8th member of our community to be honored as a

“Houston’s Hero”. The award represents the dedication to service and

community exemplified by former St. Vincent’s House’s long time Exec-

utive Director Alfreda Houston.

L

Mr, and Mrs. David Miller with Executive Director Michael Jackson

PAGE 2 A NEWSLETTER FOR THE FRIENDS OF ST. VINCENT’S HOUSE DECEMBER 2012

Art Project Inspires

Catholic Charities Now Part of

the St. Vincent’s Team!

T hese days, working hard and getting a

paycheck is often not enough to get

many families through the end of the

month. However, most people who have

jobs may assume that state and federal ben-

efits are only for those unable to join the

workforce. Angela Hill, the Texas Benefit

Banks Coordinator is now at St. Vincent's

House ready to dispel that assumption:

“In this economy there are plenty of

families out there that run out of food be-

fore the end of the month. There is actually

a formula for working families that calcu-

late income against the real expenses. Bene-

fits act as a “bridge” that help families sus-

tain,” said Hill.

It's not widely known that Texans don't

claim an estimated $8.3 billion in federal

benefits in the form of food assistance, tax

credits, student financial aid and other ben-

efits. Now stationed at St. Vincent's House,

Hill's job is to talk to families, take them

step by step into the system and gain valua-

ble assistance that will help to improve their

quality of life.

“We've already helped a large number of

people who didn't believe they were eligible

for anything. For example, there are a large

number of grandmothers out there who are

trying to take care of grandchildren using

their social security. In most cases, they are

eligible for help. We'd like to invite them to

come in,” said Hill.

Those wishing services can choose from

SNAP, FAFSA, Medicaid, CHIP, TANF,

Federal Tax Returns and help for Veterans.

For best results have your I.D., Social Secu-

rity Number, your paycheck information

and if you want Student Aid please bring

your last income tax return. Angela Hill is

at St. Vincent's House on Monday and

Tuesday from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. Please call

409-765-2215 or St. Vincent's Main num-

ber for information.

The Benefits Bank at STVH

C arrie Derkowski, is bringing a new per-

spective to St. Vincent’s ongoing effort

to celebrate the arts in our community. She’s a

facilitator of a group approach known as

“Expressive Art”. Understand-

ing the healing quality of artis-

tic expression serves as the

foundation for Derkowski’s

unique approach. “This is a

healing art, an art that helps a

person discover what their

needs are,” said Derkowski.

During the fall

ArtWalk event at

St. Vincent’s

House, several

members of our

community, decid-

ed to engage in this

unique art form

with Derkowski

and created a one-

of-a –kind floor sized mural.

Derkowski who works as a UTMB Research

Coordinator, volunteers her time to work with the

students at the St. Vincent’s House Preschool. I

think this is a very special place,” she said.

Photo by Marsha Wilson

N orma Roche has been a vital part of Catholic Charities

efforts to support our community for the past 26 years. St.

Vincent’s House was honored to have Catholic Charities join

our team this year. She now works side by side with Doris

Bagsby our Emergency Assistance Coordinator to help fami-

lies get through these tough times and find ways to become self-sustaining. “I’ve looked at my client’s problems here

and I’ve started to work with local job training programs and

employers,”she said. “I realized that in many cases families

needed just a little help to get them to next level”.

As a result Roche has not only helped families from be-

coming homeless, but has helped several get training and

jobs at major hotels and attractions.

“This year our motto at the Archdiocese of Galveston –

Houston is “We Put Our Faith In You,”. I hope to bring that

motto to life with my work here,”.

Norma Roche and Doris Bagsby Photo by Marsha Wilson

DECEMBER 2012 A NEWSLETTER FOR THE FRIENDS OF ST. VINCENT’S HOUSE PAGE 3

Education at St. Vincent’s House:

Healthy, Mind, Body and Spirit

I nspiring creative thought in children is one of the basics for

helping them develop critical thinking skills. All good edu-

cators recognize that starting early is the key. St. Vincent’s

House has always combined academics with healthy living

skills , arts and cultural exposure.

For example, we have added an exercise program to our

commitment to serve our students healthy, balanced meals.

‘You Got 2 Move It” is an innovative program, provided by a

grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. It encourages

students to exercise by combining exercise instructions, fun

movements and repetitive instruction that preschool students

can understand. The program is designed to be used every day

with preschool students with the guidance of teachers. Our

children exercise ½ hour in the morning and ½ hour in the af-

ternoon.

In addition to field trips to Rosenberg Library and other Gal-

veston sites, the we make a concerted effort to encourage new

experiences. This fall, Martin Bellow and his son ??? brought

their horse, and provided rides for the children as well as a hay

ride.

These rich experiences are as much fun for our staff as they

are for the children. As Mr. Reginald Jones, our lead teacher

says about our new exercise module: “I'm getting in shape my-

self!”.

Bishop Suffragan Jeff Fisher joined Executive Director Michael Jackson for the preschool fall hayride. Photo by Marsha Wilson

Food Pantry:6,289 Free Clinic:

7,069

Galveston Service Statistics in 2011 Total Service:64, 334 Transportation:

14,714

Phone Calls:25, 037

Education: 217

Homeless Clients:3,950

Rental/Utility/Emergency $46,382.93

Thanksgiving Feast1,265

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

Please send Your Donation to:

St. Vincent’s House 2817 Afreda Houston Place

Galveston, Texas 77551 (409) 763-8521

Website Donations at:

http:///www.stvhope.org

JUNE 8, 2012

Youth Choir Extravaganza

Headliner: Five Blind Boys of MississippiHeadliner: Five Blind Boys of Mississippi

7th Annual

Gospel by the Sea Benefit ConcertGospel by the Sea Benefit Concert

A Benefit for St. Vincent’s HouseCo-sponsored by Baptist Ministerial Association and

the Galveston Ministerial Association.

April 19, 2008 Moody Gardens

TicketsTickets

$15.00 - Adults,

$10.00 – Seniors/ChildBuy Online: Buy Online: PayPalPayPal at at

http://www.stvhope.orghttp://www.stvhope.org

Tickets can also be purchased at Tickets can also be purchased at

any any Moody GardensMoody Gardens ticket desk ticket desk

and on line at and on line at

www.moodygardenshotel.comwww.moodygardenshotel.com

Contact Info: St. Vincent’s House 2817 Postoffice Street Galveston, Texas 77550

(409) 763-8521 stvhope@swbell.net

Community Choirs: Abundant Life Choir, NuFocus, Celebration Praise Team from Moody Memorial 1st

United Methodist Church, Greater St. Matthew Praise Dancers, Iglesia Monte Calvario Choir, Galveston County Area Youth Choir, and “Mama Randolph” the world’s oldest Gospel singer.

MAKE IT A FAMILY WEEKEND!MAKE IT A FAMILY WEEKEND!

Gospel By the Sea Special Gospel BrunchFeaturing Advanced Praze and Intercede

Sunday, April 20, 2008

The Moody Gardens Hotel

Moody Ballroom

11:00 AM until 2:00 PMAdults: $15.00, Children/Seniors $8.50 (plus tax and

gratuity)

For reservations call the hotel at 409-741-8484

extension 4404.

Gospel By the Sea - Weekend Hotel PackagesGospel By the Sea – Gospel Concert and

Brunch PackageDeluxe Accommodations in a Pyramid View

Guest Room 2 tickets to the Saturday night Concert2 tickets to the Sunday Gospel Brunch

All Taxes and Gratuities$239.00 per night

6:00 p.m.

Gospel By the Sea – Bed and Brunch Package

Deluxe Accommodations in a Pyramid View Guest Room

2 tickets to the Sunday Gospel BrunchAll Taxes and Gratuities

$225 per night

Greetings in the Spirit of the Holiday Season! Each year in this space I do my best to communicate the good things that happen at St. Vincent’s House for our clients, supporters and com-munity. However, sometimes I think we forget to say thank you. In the hustle and bustle of keeping St. Vincent’s doors open, saying thank you may sometimes get deferred. If that has been the case, we ask you to forgive us and please accept our most heartfelt wishes of thanks and gratitude for all the blessings that have been shared with us this year. Thank you.

As I reflect on 2012, it has been a very challenging year. Several of our traditional partners have either downsized or curtailed their service and presence in Galveston. The Jesse Tree has moved to the Mainland and Catholic Charities has moved in with us. This has resulted in St. Vin-cent’s House being the primary place our most vulnerable sisters and brothers come for assistance and Hope. We are thankful we are here to assist. That it has not been easy is an understatement. Demand for services has risen as a result of this situation, but supply of needed resources has not increased to meet the need. We are thankful we haven’t had to turn anyone away or reduce services. We share what we have, so that all get something, especially Hope. Yes, we are thankful and have much to be thankful for, but isn’t that what the Holiday Season is all about. We begin the season with Thanksgiving Feasts and Family, we celebrate the end of hurricane season and we start preparing and purchasing gifts for family and friends for the various, holiday events we will participate in. All these occasions are essentially our ceremonies and rituals of thanks for the blessings we receive from our Creator. As we count our blessings, please know that we number you among them and because of you we are able to bless and share them with those who come through our doors. Please continue to hold St. Vincent’s House in your heart and prayers. We can’t hope without you. Thank

you. Peace and Blessings to you all at this special time of the year and Wonderful Wishes for 2013. Faithfully,

Michael Jackson, Executive Director

Edwin Graves, President of the Board