TheClarionIssue 3, 2009 - All because of you
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the Clarion Issue 3, 2009
All because of you
Catholic Charities continues to be
successful because of the generosity,
hard work, and thoughtfulness of so
many people.
Despite these trying times, Catholic
Charities has been able to remain effective
in its many endeavors. The agency has been
successful because of the countless people
willing to share what they have so that
others may enjoy better lives and
brighter tomorrows.
The following is a medley
of recent success stories
that demonstrate how
Catholic Charities—with
your continued assistance—
is making a big difference
in people’s lives.
A celebration of service
One way in which Catholic
Charities serves a wide swath
of northern Indiana is through the
On hand when Retired Seniors Volunteer Program
Fort Wayne was officially (RSVP). Catholic Charities sponsors
named an All-American City for thriving RSVP chapters headquartered in
2009 (see page 8) were (from left) South Bend, Elkhart, and Auburn.
Shifiqullah Fahim, Debbie Schmidt,
RSVP enlists people 55 and older to
and Nyein Chan. Shifiqullah, a refugee
volunteer with a wide variety of
from Afghanistan, was a Lilly
organizations, such as hospitals, libraries,
Scholarship Award recipient.
and social service agencies. It’s an excellent
way for RSVP members to stay active, learn
new skills, and socialize. The work
performed by RSVP members, who have
lifetimes of experience in countless fields,
enables organizations to redirect their
precious resources to other areas of need.
RSVP members also collect and distribute
winter clothing to people in need and
provide new backpacks filled with school
supplies to students from low-income
continued on page 4
From the Executive Director
Together, we will persevere Upcoming events
When I see George Mizer’s new yellow Many of the items on that list will be
Children’s Cottage: In October,
truck with the Catholic Charities logo on donated by people like you. And those
students will enjoy the Harvest
the door, I realize that despite whatever items will often be picked up by George Party, Picture Day, and a field Enrollment at
problems have presented themselves that Mizer, who spends his time driving that trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Children’s Cottage has Did you
day, everything’s going to be OK. yellow truck. tripled within the past
Head Start screenings
(height, weight, dental, year, and the infant room
know?
Why? Because that truck is tangible proof Thank you for all that you have given to vision, hearing) will be has been at full capacity.
that people are generous. People care. our agency. And our community. Your conducted in November.
That’s what Catholic Charities depends on, generosity made Fort Wayne an All- Contact Rhonda Lewis at
after all. That truck is here only because American City for the third time running. (260) 745-4929. Some of Indiana’s
school children, parishioners, and many Your time, your items, your money, and rural counties have
others donated money for it. They believe your prayers are what make our agency Adoption information
as few as five
we will make good use of that truck to able to make a difference in so many lives. meetings: Catholic Charities
There are 518,000 foster homes.
conducts monthly adoption
benefit those in need, and we do. Now, more than ever, our ability to help children in the United
information meetings at the
others depends on you. agency’s Fort Wayne offices, States awaiting
You can look at our Web site on any day adoption.
315 East Washington
of the week and see all of the items that are Looking out the window at George in his Boulevard. Different types of Catholic
needed for the folks at Villa of the Woods, truck, I feel more than OK about that. adoptions and the application Charities has
the young mothers and babies in our process are discussed, and two counselors,
ECHO program, the families who visit our questions are answered. Held on and two volunteer
food pantries, and those who turn to our the first Thursday of each month, counselors.
Brief Services and programs for refugees. Debbie Schmidt, M.Ed. meetings begin promptly at 10 a.m.
and end by 11. No preregistration is
required. Please arrive on time and
check in with the receptionist at the
A smoother move George Mizer front desk. Child-care services are not Immigration: A new round of
with the agency’s available. Parking is available in the lot citizenship classes is tentatively set
Thanks to the efforts of St. Vincent new box truck. on the corner of Washington Boulevard to run from 4 to 6 p.m., September 1
de Paul parishioners and many and Lafayette Street, and also in the to October 20, at Catholic Charities
others, George Mizer has a new metered lot on the corner of East in Fort Wayne. Contact Tatiana Menzie
truck to use when he picks up Wayne and Barr streets. at (260) 422-5625.
and delivers furniture and
other items donated to help
refugees set up housekeeping
in Fort Wayne. Volunteer opportunities
Children’s Cottage Contact Robin Springstead at (260)
George, the husband of During the summer months, students 422-5625, ext. 223, or robins@mchsi.com.
Phyllis Mizer, a longtime from Bishop Luers and Bishop Dwenger
Brief Services case manager, high schools volunteer at Children’s Immigration
had been using his own 1988 Cottage, reading to students and joining Volunteers are needed to assist with
Chevy Silverado pick-up in other activities and field trips. Students English-as-a-second-language and
truck to get the job done from other area high schools are citizenship classes and to translate
for the last five years. welcome to volunteer as well. Contact documents into languages other than
Rhonda Lewis at (260) 745-4929. Spanish. Contact Theresa Teders at
The new truck, a 2005 GMAC, has a (260) 422-5625, ext. 264.
15-foot enclosed box for transporting FAKT
items. It was made possible through a The Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Care
fundraising drive spearheaded by Jan Moore, Training program is seeking professionals
volunteer coordinator, and her husband, Max. The Moores solicited funds from several from the community to present one- to
quarters, including their parish, St. Vincent de Paul, and area Catholic high schools. three-hour programs to foster, adoptive,
and kinship caregivers. Topics must be
“I really appreciate what Jan and Max and everyone else did to make this truck possible, relevant to either fostering children or
and I know Catholic Charities really appreciates it too,” George says. “I can pick up a lot the needs of children. Times and dates
more at one time with this truck, and it really comes in handy in bad weather, when we would be at the presenter’s convenience.
can still do pickups and deliveries and keep things dry.”
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families. They also handcraft comfort and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until noon, Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., and
items for hospital patients young and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. “But if someone comes in, for example, on a
old and facilitate screenings for Thursday afternoon, we’ll try to accommodate them,” Jo says. “We know that many of
amblyopia (lazy eye) among them have to walk, take a bus, or get a ride with someone else to get here, so we don’t
children. Moreover, RSVP of want to inconvenience them—or send them away with nothing to eat over the weekend.
DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and
Steuben Counties operates the “There’s always a need, so we always welcome donations of nonperishable food items and
Community Center of Caring Food other products such as household paper products,” Jo adds. “And, of course, monetary
Pantry at its headquarters in Auburn. donations are always gratefully accepted.”
All RSVP chapters also sponsor events A good head start
to recognize their members. In April, On June 13, nine students graduated from Head Start at Children’s Cottage, Catholic
Auburn-based RSVP RSVP of DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Charities’ licensed child-care center in Fort Wayne. Providing services for children from
members who served more and Steuben celebrated the efforts of its 6 weeks to 12 years old, Children’s Cottage is the only all-day, year-round child-care
than 1,000 hours in the last year 450 members with volunteer-recognition facility in Fort Wayne. Children’s Cottage provides quality child care and education to
included, front row, from left: Grace picnics in Auburn, LaGrange, Kendallville, families with low or moderately low incomes. The center encourages parental involvement
Ley, Mary Lou Freed, Joyce Thomas, and Angola. And there was much to through monthly meetings and parent-teacher conferences.
Mildred Gaff, and Lorraine Henderson. celebrate. Over the last year, that
Middle row, from left: Jane Norris, chapter’s members contributed more Children’s Cottage uses the High/Scope curriculum, a child-centered program that puts
Louise Kessler, Ann Kelham, Betty Lou than 125,000 hours of service, valued the emphasis on learning through fun activities. Frequent field trips are part of that
Stomm, and Eleanor Steller. Back at $2,531,250 by Independent Sector, a educational fun. Children also enjoy, nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
row: state Sen. Bob Meeks, leadership forum for charities, foundations,
master of ceremonies. and corporate giving programs. Head Start, a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was
initiated in 1964. At any given time, there are about 25 students ages 3 to 5 in Head Start
Providing an opportunity for both recognition and at Children’s Cottage.
recruitment, the picnics were held during National
Volunteer Week. “Our recognition picnics are very informal “Head Start graduation is always a big day here at Children’s Cottage,” says Rhonda Lewis,
events, chances to relax and enjoy some good company, food, and refreshments,” says Patti director of children’s services. “It’s an exciting day for the students and their proud parents.
Sheppard, program director for the Auburn-based RSVP. “We do encourage our current
members to bring any friends who might be interested in volunteering through RSVP. “Head Start is a wonderful program,” Rhonda continues. “Students learn through play.
Then we have an opportunity to chat one on one with those prospective volunteers, and They learn colors, numbers, language, literacy, and social skills. They learn everything
we always enlist new members this way.” they need to know before they enter kindergarten.”
The most basic need In addition to teaching the basics to students in a nurturing
Requests for assistance from Catholic Charities’ food pantry in South Bend have been a environment, Children’s Cottage also instills something
The Children’s
reflection of the economy. The number of clients jumped from fewer than 300 in February very important in parents, and that’s trust. “Parents are
Cottage Head Start Class of
to nearly 500 in April. understandably cautious about leaving their children
2009, with Director Rhonda
in someone else’s care, especially for the first time,”
Lewis, includes (from left) Tristen
“Although we typically serve low-income families and individuals, there’s been an increase Rhonda says. “I think that when parents see how hard
Cooper, Kyaira Clark, Esmeralda
in middle-class people who have lost their jobs seeking assistance,” says Jo Fisher, we work to ensure the safety and well-being of their
William, Kanayia Ware, Teana Davila,
administrator of Catholic Charities’ West Region offices in South Bend. “The demand for children, it gives them the confidence they need to
Jamarion Woods, Xaviar
food does ease slightly at the beginning of the month when many people receive food leave their children in our care while they pursue
Kruckeberg, Mahelat Lee, and
stamps or Social Security checks.” self-sufficiency at their jobs or through
(not pictured) Kaneisha Parks.
continuing education.”
And as the need has grown, donations have waned somewhat. There have even been
shortages at the food bank where the pantry buys much of the food it distributes. The A grateful grad
pantry gets a big boost every month through a check from St. Pius X Parish in Granger, Kai’ra Smith was one of 16
but to counter the drop in food donations, Jo actively encourages area businesses and ECHO (Education Creates
organizations to hold their own food drives to help stock the pantry. Hope and Opportunity)
clients to graduate from
The pantry recently benefited from drives held by Holy Cross College and the University high school this spring.
of Notre Dame financial department. The St. Joseph Visiting Nurses Association has a very ECHO provides
special ongoing drive. Employees are allowed to wear blue jeans on Fridays if they bring in guidance, referrals, and
canned goods for the pantry. “They wear pins that say, ‘Ask Me Why I’m Wearing Jeans,’” encouragement to
Jo says. “That’s a great way to raise awareness.” pregnant and parenting
teenagers. The goal of
The pantry recently revised its hours to better serve clients. The new hours are Mondays the program is to help
continued on page 6
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young mothers stay in school and graduate, thus
increasing the chance that they and their A picture-perfect
children will have brighter futures.
outcome
While coping with an untimely pregnancy and
then parenthood can be a significant challenge In July 2006, Nyein Chan, director
for any ECHO client, Kai’ra’s situation was of refugee resettlement, traveled to
exacerbated by the declining health and death Southeast Asia. On Nyein’s itinerary
Kai’ra with
of her mother, Sandra. Kai’ra was referred to was Mae La, one of several refugee camps
daughter
ECHO in October 2007. The mounting in Thailand along its border with Burma.
Annaliyah.
stress generated by her mother’s illness caused With a population of more than 50,000 Burmese,
Kai’ra to go into false labor several times Mae La is the largest of such camps. A former
beginning in the third month of her pregnancy. refugee himself, Nyein had lived in a camp similar to
Sandra died in January 2008, two months before Mae La before he came to the United States in 1994.
Kai’ra gave birth to her daughter Annaliyah.
Nyein took several photos at Mae La, two of which
It was a very sad and difficult time for Kai’ra, but she found a friend and mentor in Alison appeared in The Clarion (No. 3, 2006). In one of those
Gerardot, an ECHO case manager. “I greatly appreciate all the help I received from Alison photos were two girls fetching water for their family.
and ECHO,” Kai’ra says. “Alison helped me set goals and then meet those goals. She “I didn’t know the girls; I just thought at the time that Sisters Pu Pu
helped me find the day care I wanted and baby items at a reduced cost, and she referred they would make a good picture,” Nyein recalls. (right) and
me to other agencies that could help me. She was there with pretty much anything I Ni Ni.
Fast forward to more recent days, when Nyein was preparing an
needed, even a tutor to help me with my schoolwork.”
electronic presentation featuring photos from his 2006 sojourn.
Another example of how Alison covered all the bases came when Kai’ra was left off the Because so many Burmese refugees have been resettled in the Fort
list for an important SAT-preparation class taken by all seniors at Snider High School Wayne area in recent years, Nyein doesn’t always meet every member of an arriving
in Fort Wayne. Kai’ra had studied at the Anthis Career Center as a junior, so she was family. Refugee resettlement caseworkers, however, become acquainted with every
inadvertently omitted from the class when she returned to Snider as a senior. “I would member of the families they’re assigned.
have missed the class had Alison not made sure I was enrolled,” Kai’ra says.
So, imagine Nyein’s surprise when caseworker Karen Bender saw the photo of the two
Kai’ra graduated from Snider this spring and has enrolled at Indiana University–Purdue girls in Nyein’s presentation and told him that the girls—sisters Pu Pu Win and Ni Ni
University Fort Wayne, where she plans to major in elementary education. Win—and their family had arrived in Fort Wayne in March 2008. “I was delighted to
learn that the girls were here and adapting well,” Nyein says. “It’s a very happy coincidence.”
Kai’ra has the right stuff to succeed. “She’s a great mom and a very good person in general,”
Alison says. “Kai’ra’s very responsible for her age and very trustworthy. She cares about It was a long time in coming. The girls’ father, Hu Sin, and their mother, Ca Tun, had
other people and is willing to extend a helping hand. She’s even helped other girls in her lived in refugee settlements in Burma and then refugee camps in Thailand for nearly
situation. I’m glad I got the chance to know her.” two decades. On several occasions while they were still living in Burma, they came
under attack by government forces and were forced to flee. Pu Pu, now 14, was just
A day to remember 2 weeks old on one of those occasions.
On June 26, a World Refugee Day celebration was hosted at Villa of the Woods, Catholic
Charities’ community for older adults in Fort Wayne. World Refugee Day was established The family is Karen, a Burmese minority, and Muslim. Pu Pu and Ni Ni’s siblings
by a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 2000. Observed around the globe, it’s include sisters War War Win, 8, and Let Let Win, 4; and brother Nin Ming, 11.
a day to salute the indomitable spirit, courage, and resilience of refugees everywhere.
Pu Pu and Ni Ni, 12, are students at Prince Chapman Academy, a public middle
The festivities at Villa of the Woods included a slide presentation featuring glimpses of the school. Both girls say they want to become doctors. “I like the opportunity we’re
homelands of refugees resettled in the Fort Wayne area and the music given to learn here,” Pu Pu says. “I want to learn more English so I can go anywhere
and food of some of those countries. Some refugees wore clothes in the world,” Ni Ni chimes in.
native to their countries of origin, and some addressed those
Accustomed to having nothing—save dreams of a better life—Pu Pu and Ni Ni are
gathered to express their appreciation for the help they’ve
very happy in their new surroundings. They say they like everything about life here,
received and the newfound hope they’ve found.
especially the clothing and the food. They do have a wish list, of course, and on it is
Nearly 1,500 refugees from Burma alone were resettled in an Internet connection at home. They’ve become accustomed to using online learning
the Fort Wayne area in 2007 and 2008. Catholic resources at school.
Charities has played a vital role in locating housing,
For Hu Sin, the family patriarch, it’s all about having a sense of security and peace
providing household goods, facilitating medical checkups
of mind. “I feel that my family is safe here, and I feel like we have a country now,”
and educational opportunities, and securing employment.
he says. “When we were living in the camps, it didn’t feel as though we had a country
Based largely on the efforts of Catholic Charities and the to call home.”
continued on page 8
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broader community to help refugees, Fort Wayne was
recently designated an All-American City for 2009 by the
Wish list
National Civic League.
Catholic Charities has an ongoing need for new and gently used items. If you have
“For us, World Refugee Day is a celebration of the something to contribute, please contact Jo Fisher in South Bend at (574) 234-3111,
resettlement of refugees in the United States, ext. 31, or George Mizer in Fort Wayne at (260) 422-5625, ext. 229. Donations can
particularly here in Allen County,” says Lisa Young, also be left at Catholic Charities, 315 E. Washington Boulevard in Fort Wayne, or
Catholic Charities assistant director. “We hold this 1817 Miami Street in South Bend.
celebration as a thank you to the community for
Adoption/Pregnancy/ECHO • Storage bins • Sewing machine
providing resources, friendship, and volunteers.”
• Diapers (all sizes) (17-gallon) with lids • Storage cabinet
• Baby items, especially
Among those Nyein Chan, director of Catholic Charities’ refugee
infant car seats and Immigration (FW) RSVP (St. Joseph)
celebrating World resettlement services, a former refugee himself, says World • Citizenship tool kit • Yarn
Pack ‘N’ Plays
Refugee Day were (from left) Refugee Day is a time to reflect—and have some fun. • Baby clothing for new test • Fabric
Megan Brooks and Shannon “We gather to recognize the plight of the millions of • Gently used • Quilting machine
Miller of Rep. Mark Souder’s refugees in the world and the hardships they endure every maternity clothes Immigration (SB) • Embroidery machine
staff, Debbie Schmidt, and day. We also celebrate the many success stories of refugees • Books for children • World map for office • General tools
Nyein Chan. living well in the United States because of the helping hand wall to mark where (hammers, pliers,
they’ve received from so many kind, wonderful people. It is a Brief Services clients originate wrenches, etc.)
celebration, so we make sure everyone has a good time too.” • Sanitary napkins • Yard tools
• Shampoo Refugee Job Development (shovels, rakes, etc.)
• Deodorant • Men’s blazers
• Washer and dryer (small and medium) Senior AIDES
• Diapers (4’s, 5’s, and 6’s) • Men’s dress pants • Gently used blue blazers
Meet Sara Lane, • Everyday needs (small and medium) • Gently used
matching ties
Family Services Coordinator Children’s Cottage RSVP (Auburn) • Shoes (all sizes)
• Computers • Yarn • Shoe polish (all colors)
Sara Lane is back where she belongs, and she was a • Van (for field trips) • Mittens and gloves • Gently used dresses
she couldn’t be happier. Sara, the new dedicated mom, • Art easels • Canned food or women’s suits
family services coordinator, served as an she still found • Bulletin boards • Paper products • Bus passes
adoption specialist for the agency some time to serve as a • Personal-hygiene
10 years ago before she and her husband, part-time teacher and Counseling products Villa of the Woods
James, started their family. co-director at Beacon Heights Preschool • Bus tokens for • Dish soap • Carpet cleaner
in Fort Wayne. appointments • Laundry soap • Walk-off rug
“It’s wonderful to be with Catholic Charities • Donations for • Colored markers
again,” Sara says. “This is truly rewarding Last fall, Sara and her family decided it was Food pantry spring auction and crayons
work. It’s great to be involved in adoption time for her to return to full-time work. • Additional food drives • Sewing machine • Red and green pens
• Chest-type freezer • Thread • Bed pillows
again, helping couples who want to grow As luck would have it, Sara’s longtime
• Gallon-size freezer and • Paper shredder
their families through adoption but can’t friend Laura Kanalas, who had been serving RSVP (Elkhart)
storage Ziploc bags
have biological children of their own. I’m as family services coordinator, was preparing • OSHA-approved step • Vacuum cleaner
also part of our effort to assist young women to take maternity leave. Sara assumed stool or step ladder • Cleaning supplies
dealing with unplanned pregnancies, and Laura’s position, although Laura is still • Containers with lids • Auction donations
that’s very fulfilling as well.” working with the agency on a part-time (1/2-, 1, and • Thread
basis while she takes care of her new baby. 2-pound sizes) • Garage sale
Sara, a Fort Wayne-area native, earned • Cookbooks donations
a bachelor’s degree in social work at “I’d maintained contact with several of the • Gift cards
Manchester College before working as people at Catholic Charities during my time • Plastic bags
a home-based family-preservation case away from the agency,” Sara says. “The same
manager for Family Service Society in core of people that was here 10 years ago is
Marion for two years. In 1998, she began still here, and that’s very special to me.
a three-year stint as an adoption specialist
with Catholic Charities. “This is a great group of people to work
with,” Sara adds. “The people working for
Did you A record
high of more
Then, Sara left to attend to her own growing this agency truly believe in the people know? than 34 million
foreign-born people
family, which now includes Caleb, 10; they serve, and they’re dedicated to
live in the United
Carly, 6; and Cora, 18 months. Although providing the best services possible.” States.
8 9
Donors
Thank you to all who gave from January 1 through June 30, 2009. David Noll Deena Rosswurm St. Mary Assumption Mary Trego
Htaw Non Michael Rosswurm Church Triangle United Way
North Side High School Sally Rowe St. Mary Church Chuck Troyer
James and Carolyn Jim and Carolyn Chrzan Leisa Fredbloom Susan Kagy Dominic and Erin Patrick Rumschlag St. Mary of the Lake Rita Turflinger
Abbott Church of the Brethren, Freedom First Real Estate Laura Kanalas Norton Phil Rumschlag Church Stephen and Betsy
Robert Abel Elgin, IL F.W.M.S. John and Dianne Kelbel Notre Dame Knight’s Sacred Heart Church St. Mary Presentation Ueber
ACD Museum Kathy Clark Foundation, Inc. Kathleen Kelly of Columbus #1477 Craig Sanderson Church United Fund of
John and Vicki Acito Cheryl Clark Dale Gallup Marvene Kelty Kelly Nusbaum John Sargent St. Mary the Lagrange County
Thomas Ackerman Classic City Center Paul Gannon Sarah Key Kim Nusbaum Mary Savor Annunciation Church United Way of
Robert Allman Gymnastics Club Julie Garcia Barbara King Weldon L. Nusbaum Mark Schaefer St. Mary the Dekalb County
David Andersen Audrey Clauser Judy Garringer Carol Kinzie George Nyers Debra Schmidt Assumption Church United Way of
Phil and Terry Andorfer Mark Coffee Rene Garza Anne Kirk Wendy and Dennis Judy Schmidt St. Mary’s, Our Lady Elkhart County
Lawrence Angel Olive B. Cole Sylvia Garza Gina C. Kitchen Oberlin Denise Schock of Loretto United Way of
Isaac Arambula Foundation, Inc. Tara Gates Patti Knapp Kathleen O’Connell Robert and Mary St. Matthew Cathedral Greater Toledo
Auburn Church Concord United Lisa George Knights of Columbus Michael and Kathleen Schowe Church United Way of
of Christ Methodist Church Sandra Gerber Council 14299 O’Neil Schultheis Insurance St. Michael Archangel Whitley County
Auburn First United Janet Connolly Keith Gerbers Judy Knowles Dennis R. Opal Agency Inc. Church Carolyn Urbine
Methodist Church Terrence Coonan Marcella Gerig Patricia Kocent Luz Ostrognai Linda and Jon Scott St. Monica Church Lester Varda
Auburn Noon Theresa Coonan Chad Gibson Imogene Kronmueller Lawrence Oswald Thomas Scrogham St. Patrick Church Walsh Percy Hammond
Lions Club Corpus Christi Church Lisa Gibson John Kruk Our Lady of Franxis Serrani St. Paul Chapel Foundation
Saysha Aung Mary Craighead Eboney Gillard Leo Kuntz Good Hope Church Robert and Mary Short St. Paul of the Cross William and Elizabeth
Mary Jo Bair Kathy Crick Phylis Gley Betty A. Kurtz Our Lady of Sherri Sible Church Warnick
Amy Baker David and Jeaninne Revocable Trust Sally Kurtz and Guadalupe Church (memorial Sid Davis) St. Peter Church William and Ceilia
Annette Balser Criswell Global Impact, Alcoa Doug Marsh Our Lady of Sigma Beta Sorority, St. Peter & Paul Church Weakley
Tom Barfell Dee Dee Dahm Pam and Mike Good Ken and Erin Lampe Hungary Church Lisa Sparkman St. Pius X Church Darlene Weaver
Basilica of the Vought Daniel Gordon Food Service Kenneth and Ann Lauer Our Sunday Visitor Jeanne Small St. Robert Bellarmine Lynn Weaver
Sacred Heart Ben and Joan Davis Cassie Graber Perry Leavell and Employees Catherine Smith Church Thomas Weber
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harold and Joan Davis Virginia Graham Ned Lee Padberg Family Cheryl Smith St. Rose of Lima Church David Wedler
Bauters DeKalb Community Laura Graves James and Carolyn Alyssa Patterson Jene Smith St. Stanislaus Kostka Sally and Bob Weigand
Laura Becker Foundation Douglas Greaf Leeper Jolleen Patterson Mildred Smolek Church Craig and Vicki Welch
Ronald Beekman DeKalb County Angela Green Donald C. Linn Timothy Pedro Michelle L. Snyder St. Therese Church Susan Welch
Maria Berg Democrats Mike and Evie Greenfield Gerald Litchfield Therese Pepe Mary Sokolowski St. Thomas the Apostle Roger and Joanne
Alice Berry DeKalb Extension, Greenhurst Executive Little Flower Church Fannie Pepple Timothy and Shirley Church Wertenberger
Robert J. Binder The Rolling Pins Suites, Philip Heitz Jerome and Victoria Diane Marie Phillips Sorg St. Vincent de Paul Warren Whihelm
Bishop Luers DeKalb Farm Bureau Linda Greeson Lodyga Kim and John Pirrung Robin Springstead Church Lori Whitten
High School Women’s Leader Karen Gregerson Erica Lose Robert Plant Tracy Springstead St. Vincent de Paul Dale Wiars
Phillip and Cynthia Black DeKalb Financial Thomas and Carol Grove Michael Lothamer Pleasant Chapel Church St. Adalbert Church Society of Michael and Virginia
Barbara Blauvelt Credit Union Jenny Gunkle Mary Kay Lunchenbill of the Brethren St. Aloysius Church Our Lady of Good Wilkins
Blessed Sacrament DeKalb Hospital, AJ Kela Guy Keith Malfait Dr. and Mrs. David St. Anthony de Padua Hope Church Vachon William
Church DeKalb Memorial, Robert and Elsie Mathew Marshall Pollifrone Church St. Vincent de Paul Pauline Wilmont
Pamela Bluzak Ancillary Secretary Hammond Richard and Mary Ann Phillip Potosky St. Augustine Church Society of St. Jude Maury and Susan
Larry and Elaine Bolinger DeKalb Middle School, Mary Ellen Hanna Martin Richard and Clara St. Bavo Church State Employees’ Winkler III
Anthony Bowser Christine Thrush Sandra Hapner Mattress Wharehouse Powell St. Bernard Church Community Cindy Wirtner
Bryson Braasch DeKalb Visitors Bureau Jessica Hart Larry Mayers Rebecca Purk St. Casimir Church Campaign Devera Wood
Carrie Brackett Jane and Craig Dellinger Stephanie Hathaway Donold Maylath Queen of Angels St. Catharine Church Andrew Stauffer Janis Woodruff
Theresa Bradtmiller Kathy Denice Anna Ruth Haynes Daniel McClurg Church St. Charles Borromeo Rosemary Stein Dave Worthington
Nora Braun Doris Derheimer Melanie Heath Brian and Lori McComb Queen of Angels Church Lawrence Stickell Karla Wygant
Camille Brennan Elizabeth Dettmer Heaven Bound Sarah McCorkle Conference, St. Dominic Church Edward Strubel, III Daryl Yost
David and Darla Brennan Joseph T. Didier Quartet Group Greg McNabb St. Vincent de Paul St. Elizabeth Ann Delaine Stumo Lisa Young
Brothers of the Debbie Dilley Kim & Victoria Heiser Douglas and Mary Society Seton Church Chan Su Faith Ypos
Holy Cross Paul and Anna Dits Mary Ann Heitz Meador Queen of Peace Church St. Francis Xavier Church James and Diane Megan Zink
Fred and Gretchen David and Eva Donnelly Dawn Henline Meese Chapel, Don and Shirley Quick St. Gaspar Del Bufalo Sullivan Mark and Nancy Zion
Brown Mary Downs Michael and Colleen Heather Berkshire Dana Raiford Church Elizabeth Suter Vragovic Zorica
Lindsay Brown Jerry and Candace Hensel Deborah Menzie Julie Raspiller St. Hedwig Church Sarah Sweitzer
Margaret Buirley Durnell Colette and Joseph Chris Mettler Joy Rawlings St. Henry Church Judi Tegtmeyer
Stephanie Burkhart David Dziena Herron Jeff and Suzie Michell Brian Reed St. John Bosco Church Pamela Thomas
Julie Burnett Mary Eakin Anthony Hettinger Barbara Middleton Joseph Reitter St. John the Baptist Jessica Thurston
Capella Group, Inc. Marie Easterday Carl and Carole George Mizer REMC Church Carolyn Till
Dominic and Shelia Janine Eby Hoffman Brenda Morales Steve Renninger St. John the Evangelist Rebecca Till
Capito Eckhart Library, Tina Hoffman Mary Moran Paul Davis Restoration Church Luis E. Torres
Michael Carcione Deb Argast Linda Hogge Most Precious Sandra Richardson St. John’s United Church Town & Country
Patricia Carteaux Eckhart Library, Holy Cross Church Blood Church Thomas and Ruby of Christ Quilters
Did you
Cathedral Immaculate Janelle Graber Holy Family Church Teresa Nagel Rightley St. Joseph Community Craig Traxler
Conception Raymond Elseser Dianne and Fred Horne National City Employee Tamiko Rippie Health Foundation
Kathleen Catron Toyi Ervin Virgil and Geraldine Giving CampaIgn Barbara Sue Roberts St. Joseph County
Cedar Lake Church
of the Brethren
Paul Everett
Thomas and Susan
Huguenard
Sarah Hunnefeld
Ada Jean Neher
Rusty Neilson
Patricia Robertson
Mary Rollins
United Way
St. Joseph Hessen
know?
Nyein Chan Fischer Immaculate Conception Jeanne Nes Marlene Roman Cassel Church
Catholic
James and Carolyn Barry and Christina Church Marcus D. Newcomer James and Nancy St. Jude Church
Chandler Flamigan Rondot St. Louis Besancon Charities has
Anthony and Ilene Iott Lisa Ng
Ted and Janet Chittum Carol Flaugh Nan Isenbarger David and Mary Pat Jamie Rongos Church been re-licensed
Christ the King Church Victoria Foltz Linda Jackson Nichols James and Phyllis St. Marks Lutheran as a child-placing
Laura Christen Robert Fox Stephanie Jentgen The Nichols Company Ronner Church, Carol Sigler agency in the state
Janet Christensen Robert Framme Charles Jinks Harry Niemier Gregory and Cynthia St. Martin de Porres
Rose Church of Indiana.
Mary Ann Chrustowski Diane Frankewich Charlotte Johnson Marilyn Nix
10 11
Fort Wayne, Indiana
NON-PROFIT ORG.
Permit No. 899
U.S. Postage
PAID
315 East Washington Boulevard
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Catholic Charities
Agency earns COA reaccreditation
Catholic Charities was recently reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation
(COA). Reaccreditation is an objective and reliable verification that provides
confidence and support to an organization’s service recipients, board members,
staff, and community partners.
The COA reaccreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis
of both an organization’s administrative operations and its service delivery
practices. All are “measured” against national standards of best practice.
These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally
responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm
that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that
all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
Catholic Charities celebrates the spirit of Jesus and fosters personal dignity by serving the needs of our neighbors. Catholic
Charities serves those in need with special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations— the poor, disabled, migrants, elderly,
and children. The agency is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals, the family, and the community.
Copyright © 2009 Catholic Charities. Published quarterly for friends, supporters, and staff of Catholic
Charities, a nonprofit organization, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana. Articles may be
reproduced with proper attribution. Phone: (260) 422-5625 • Fax: (260) 422-5657 Catholic Charities
is supported by contributions from United Ways in Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and
St. Joseph counties.
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