Spring 2015

John, 62 years old, is well-recognized around Joliet. Known as the “can man,” John spends his time walking through town, picking up cans, and taking them to a junkyard to exchange for money. This kind man has formed friendly relationships with countless people over the years and many of them save their cans to give him. “Everyone in town knows me,” he says. “Doctors, lawyers… everyone.”

This great-grandfather lived for many years in an encampment in Joliet known as “tent city.” Tent city refers to an unauthorized settlement of homeless individuals who live in tents. Tent city relocates to different sites throughout the city and exists without permission from local government or land-owners.

John felt safe living in tent city because he had formed friendships with the other individuals who lived there and knew that they would watch out for him and his belongings. When the weather became very cold each December, John would walk to Catholic Charities’ Daybreak Center to stay in the emergency shelter until the weather got a bit warmer. He continued this cycle for five years – only staying at Daybreak when the weather became unbearable.

Over the years, staff at Daybreak Center encouraged John to allow them to help him obtain permanent housing, but he wasn’t ready. He preferred to live in tent city. However, earlier this year, John approached James, a shelter case manager at Daybreak Center, and said, “I’m getting old and tired.” He was ready to move into a more permanent housing situation.

James was thrilled and immediately started helping John with his various needs. He said, “I worked diligently with John to overcome the many barriers that resulted from staying homeless for so long. While it was a lot of difficult work, I feel just by seeing him go into housing was completely worthwhile and I am very happy to see this man go into his own housing unit.”

Today, thanks to help from Catholic Charities, John has new glasses, a much-needed hearing aid, and now receives the benefits he’s qualified for. Even better, he’s moving into an apartment of his own! James helped him through the entire process of obtaining the affordable apartment and John is very excited about it.

John says that he will continue to collect cans collect cans and that he’s looking forward to sitting in a comfy chair and watching TV in the comfort and privacy of his own space.

A Comfortable Home for the “Can Man”

Use Your Budgeting Talents to Help Others!We’re seeking volunteers in our Money Management Program! As a volunteer, you’ll provide basic money management services to low-income seniors who have difficulty budgeting, paying routine bills, and keeping track of financial matters. As a trained volunteer, you’ll use your valuable skills to help individuals who may not have family to assist them. All volunteers must pass state and county background checks. We are currently looking for volunteers to serve in Kankakee, Grundy, Will, and Iroquois Counties. If you’re interested in sharing your talents as a Money Management Program volunteer, call 815-523-9921. 

Save Money, Help the Environment — Receive The Connection by EmailIf you would like to help us save money (and trees!), then please sign up to receive your copy of The Connection by email. It’s easy! Just send an email to info@cc-doj.org and include:

• Yourname• Yourhomeaddress• Theemailaddresswhereyouwould

like to receive the newsletter

Everyone in town knows me, doctors, lawyers…everyone.

eBay Giving Works

W e need donations for our eBay Giving Works program!

Do you have new or gently used items to donate? Contact Mechelle at mhorvat@cc-doj.org or 815-723-3405 or drop off your donations at 203 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday – Friday.

Answer the Call of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has given us a call to action: to walk with the poor this summer.

The hot days of summer are finally here. This time of year is historically very slow for donationsatCatholicCharities.Yettheneedsofthe vulnerable we serve remain constant.

Before you leave for a summer getaway, remember that poverty never takes a vacation and our clients need you. If you would please drop a donation in the mail or donate through our website at catholiccharitiesjoliet.org, we would be so grateful.

Catholic Charities takes the call of Pope Francis very seriously and we hope that you do, too. We will spend the hot days of summer taking care of those who are hungry, homeless, and who are living in crisis. Help us to provide food, shelter, counseling, and many other critical supportive services to the neediest among us.

Yourgenerosityduringthesedifficulttimeswilltruly make a difference. Please be as generous as you can be and answer Pope Francis’ call to walk with the poor.

Thank you and God bless you and your families.

To Donate:— Send a check in the enclosed envelope.— Call 815-724-1140 to process your order

by phone.— Go to catholiccharitiesjoliet.org to make

your donation online.

Catholic Charities Counseling Services

A fter seeking therapy from our Catholic Charities Counseling Program, a parishioner recently told me that he found our counseling services to be life changing. Later he added that

until recently, he hadn’t known that Catholic Charities offered counseling.

This got me thinking… how do people learn about exceptional counseling services? Most individuals engaged in counseling do not discuss their therapy at a dinner party or in a check-out line at the grocery store. We don’t see commercials fortherapistsonthetelevisionortalkaboutthematabaseballgame.Yetweallknow how important and impactful counseling services can be to individuals, couples, families, and school children when needed.

Catholic Charities provides counseling services in all seven counties of the diocese. Our skilled and dedicated counseling staff provides guidance and support through a range of therapeutic services that preserve, strengthen, and protect the emotional well-being of those seeking our help.

Our therapists include child and adolescent counselors who provide individual and family counseling for youth and their families. Counselors are trained in a variety of specialties to intervene with youth who experience emotional and behavioral difficulties: adjustment issues, attachment disorders, oppositional and defiant behavior, conduct problems, school difficulties, social skills deficits, and childhood depression and anxiety.

Additionally, our counselors have broad experience working with adults who are attempting to cope with: anxiety, depression, life transitions, loss and bereavement, interpersonal difficulties, and developmental disabilities.

Our therapists also provide marriage counseling and pre-marriage evaluations and counseling. Group therapy and mediation is also available, in addition to parenting classes, anger management classes, and LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide).

For seniors who are attempting to cope with life transitions which may include physical, financial, and emotional factors, our counselors offer compassionate and supportive therapy.

Catholic Charities Counseling provides services to students in 16 Catholic schools throughout the diocese and that number is growing! Counselors meet with school aged children in group and individual settings depending on the needs of the student. Therapists serve as grief counselors after children have suffered a loss or for those who are presently experiencing a personal or family crisis.

I am so proud of the good work our Counseling Program is providing to all those living within the Diocese of Joliet. I am certain that we are impacting lives in a most positive way. Life can be overwhelming. Every person suffers loss, struggles emotionally, or knows of someone in need of counseling at some point in their lives. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet’s Counseling Program is here for you whenever that time arises.

Please call 815-730-4891 to schedule an appointment.

Catholic Charities Counseling takes most types of insurance. For those uninsured, special accommodations can be made for individuals and families who are struggling financially, and who qualify for services at a reduced fee.

God bless you,

Glenn Van Cura, Executive Director

To change the world we must be good to those who cannot repay us.— Pope Francis

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

TOP: (l-r) Mr. & Mrs. John Basile & Mr. & Mrs. Greg Schuster

MIDDLE: Back row, (l-r): John Lacey, J. R. Spina, Zeke Zawistowski, Dave Streitz, Nick D’Arcy, Chris Kuhn, Terry D’Arcy; Front row (l-r): Vivian, Meredith, Gabby Hovat, Rachel Douin

BOTTOM: (l-r) Mr.s and Mrs. Joe Langenderfer, Dr. and Mrs. Omar Garcia

First Look for Charity 2015

C atholic Charities participated in the 2015 First Look for Charity event at McCormick Place in Chicago on the evening of Friday, February 13th.

Catholic Charities’ guests got the “first look” at the Chicago Auto Show and also enjoyed amenities of the agency’s private hospitality suite that featured hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a professional portrait photographer.

This was Catholic Charities tenth year as a benefactor of the elite black-tie fundraiser. The Agency wishes to thank all of our guests who supported First Look for Charity as well as our benefactors, sponsors, and donors.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!Benefactors– D’Arcy Buick GMC– D’Arcy Hyundai

Donors

– BMO Harris Bank– Mr. Kevin Lehmann – Panduit– J.C. Restoration, Inc.

Room Sponsors – Mr. Edward Dollinger (Edward Jones Investments)– Mr. Phil Ruggio– Johansen and Anderson, Inc.– Mr. and Mrs. Pabst– Mr. Pete Kinsella

Celebrating Social Work MonthOn March 25th, the staff in our Kankakee office enjoyed a special early morning breakfast in honor of Social Work Month. Much of the work at Catholic Charities is done by social workers – thank you for all of your tireless efforts to improve the lives of our clients!

Our Prayers Were Answered!

L ast winter, we asked for help from the community. The walk-in freezer at the Daybreak Center homeless shelter in Joliet had been failing for about a year and had just been declared “beyond repair.”

Shepherd’s Table, the soup kitchen located within Daybreak Center, serves over 85,000 meals to hungry members of the community each year and the walk-in freezer is a vital part of that operation. This unexpected expense would cost Catholic Charities $22,500. So, we turned to our neighbors and asked for donations to help cover the expense of the new walk-in freezer. We were touched when local newspapers and radio stations helped spread the word about this need. Dozens of people shared our story on social media to help.

Our prayers were answered! In April, Bishop Conlon joined us to bless the new walk-in freezer and cut the ribbon on this exciting new piece of equipment.

Pam Terrell, Director of Community Services; Bishop R. Daniel Conlon; Glenn Van Cura, Executive Director; Courtney Suchor; Director of Daybreak Center.

A Note of Appreciation

M elinda’s husband, who suffers from dementia, receives regular visits from a volunteer in Catholic Charities’ Senior

Companion Program. Recently, Melinda wrote a letter to express her gratitude for the program.

George goes above and beyond to accommodate Richard. He has brought something to look forward to every week.

No one has visited Richard except for George for the past three years. Richard considers George a friend and doesn’t even realize that he’s receiving services. Richard doesn’t speak much anymore, but he focuses when George speaks to him.

I’ve been concerned about Richard remaining happy despite his illness. Today, a smile is the only way to know that he’s enjoying himself and George makes him smile! That makes ME smile.

Melinda

The Human Race

N early 100 runners and walkers (some pictured above) braved a chilly and rainy Saturday morning in April to participate in the Human Race in Downers Grove to support Catholic Charities.

The annual DuPage Human Race is a community event and fundraiser that benefits 65 non-profit organizations serving DuPage County, including Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet.

Spring Baskets

T he generous parishioners from St. Mary of Gostyn Parish. in Downers Grove donated 106 spring baskets to the neediest young clients who receive services from Catholic Charities. This

extraordinary effort was organized by Karen Hader and Danielle Heyer. The beautiful baskets were filled with items specific to each child and the families that received them were delighted and grateful.

Head Start National Conference

S taff members from Catholic Charities’ Head Start Program were honored to attend the 50th Anniversary National Head

Start conference and celebration in Washington, D.C. Since 1965, Head Start – the premier model for providing children an opportunity for success in school and in life – has served more than 31 million children and their families.

Catholic Charities operates five Head Start sites in Will County. To learn more about this program, visit catholiccharitiesjoliet.org.

Betty Custard, Senior Site Supervisor at Broadway Head Start Center; Isabelle Estrada, Home Visitor for the Head Start Home Base Program; and Nykisha Barefield, Assistant Director of Education and Support Services for the Early Childhood Services Division at Catholic Charities.

We are a faith-based organization providing service to people in need and calling others of good will to do the same.

Glenn Van Cura, Executive Director gvancura@cc-doj.org

Catholic Charities Development StaffKathleen Langdon, Director, Development & Communications; klangdon@cc-doj.orgMaggie Snow, PR & Communications Coordinator; msnow@cc-doj.orgSusan Parker, Grants Manager; sparker@cc-doj.orgMary Bannon, Director of Major Gifts; mbannon@cc-doj.org

Edith Avila Olea, Parish Outreach and Board of Young Professionals Coordinator; eavilaolea@cc-doj.orgStephanie Ambrose, Agency Volunteer, eBay, and Mobile Food Pantry Supervisor; sambrose@cc-doj.orgMarianne Melcher, Agency Event Coordinator; mmelcher@cc-doj.org

Claudia Browne, Data Development Administrative Assistant; cbrowne@cc-doj.orgMechelle Horvat, eBay Analyst; mhorvat@cc-doj.org

If you have any questions about this publication, please call Maggie Snow at 815.724.1165.

catholic charitiesDiocese of Joliet

NON PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

JOLIET, ILPERMIT NO. 349

203 North Ottawa StreetJoliet, Illinois 60432Administrative Office815.723.3405

For giving opportunities and more information about our programs, visit our website.

catholiccharitiesjoliet.org

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Save the Date!

Friday, August 21, 2015Golf: Inwood Golf Course (shotgun start)

3200 Jefferson Street in Joliet

After-party: 5:00pm - 11:00pm at Joliet Moose Lodge 25 Springfield Avenue in Joliet

Outdoors with live music, great food, drinks.

Standard Foursome: $440; Single Player Fee: $120After-party Only: $25

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Proceeds benefit Catholic Charities’ programs and services in Will County.

For more information, visit catholiccharitiesjoliet.org or email mmelcher@cc-doj.org

Golf Outing to Benefit Catholic Charities!