2021 Winter - Catholic Charities Connections Newsletter

and filled with more twists and turns. Kazia was no stranger to St. Anthony Family Shelter.

The single mother had been in and out of St. Anthony several times before her determination to make the current stay her last stay took hold.

In her own words, here is her story: When I came back in October of 2020, I told myself I wasn’t coming back and I was going to keep doing what I had to do.

Then, April 28, 2021, my 16-year-old daughter was shot. She was in the hospital for two weeks; I didn’t leave. My job knew what was going on but after the first week they called me and said they had to let me go. Even though they had all the paperwork they needed, I was keeping them updated, and it didn’t matter.

Once again I was jobless with bills and a car payment due. A week after we left the hospital, my car was repossessed. My lease was up the end of May and I wasn’t able to pay May’s rent.

There was a no-eviction order but, because my lease was up and I was behind on rent, they decided not to reinstate my lease. My only option was to call St. Anthony.

It was embarrassing because I had already been so many times, but there was nothing else I could do. This time I knew I would need to come in focused and motivated since I knew there weren’t a lot of options left to help me.

When I first came, it seemed like everything I was trying wasn’t working. I wasn’t finding a job and I knew without a job there was no way to find housing. Everywhere I turned it always seemed like the answer was “no.” I wanted to give up several times, but I knew that wasn’t an option.

I finally started getting job offers and accepted the one that best fit what I needed at that time.

The whole stay I worked very close with Michelle (Seeds for Success employment case manager) and Miss Shawn (SAFS case manager).

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Together, we are the hands and feet of Jesus

by Wendy Glick, Executive Director who volunteer and work for Catholic Charities along T hewithpeople all the donors who generously support our work, truly are the

hands and feet of Jesus in action today. Catholic Charities is our collective response to God’s call to serve others within the Diocese of Wichita.

Inside, you will find a summary of our 2021 annual community report which highlights for you the impact that Catholic Charities has on the lives of the 18,000 people we serve thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers like you.

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FALL 2021

The many ministries of Catholic Charities share God’s love with the hungry, homeless, lonely, disabled and abused throughout the 25 counties that comprise the Diocese of Wichita. We simply could not do this work without the generous support of donors and volunteers.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

For some clients, the journey is a little longer,

CONNECTIONS

Persistence pays off for homeless mother

A mother's persistence Continued from page 1

They were my cheerleaders.

After finding a job, I started applying for housing.

It seemed like all the “no’s” started happening again and I felt like I was stuck in a never-ending circle. Every day I woke up wanting to give up, but I knew that I couldn’t. I knew, eventually, someone would say “yes.”

I ended up getting the news that I was actually going to get help because I was working with certain programs so closely and doing everything that needed to be done on my end. That motivated me to keep going because I knew I was almost there.

I ended up applying for one more apartment. I called every day to see if they had heard anything yet, and finally, on a Friday, after waiting all week, they called and said I was approved.

The people at St. Anthony are great and as long as you take care of what you are supposed to do, they will do their part. Keep a positive mindset and stay motivated and things will start falling in place.

Hands and Feet of Jesus Continued from page 1

As the need for food, shelter and other services grew in the past year, more than 3,000 generous people opened their hearts to share in our mission by offering financial support. Among those were 895 new donors who made firsttime gifts in support of our mission. We are tremendously grateful for every gift.

The pandemic has created uncertainty for individuals, families and businesses in our community. From the earliest days of the shutdowns until today, Catholic Charities has seen a growing number of people needing help.

We expect this trend to continue during the next year as our economy is slower to recover due to the delta variant, inflation and workforce issues.

The work of Catholic Charities is more important than ever before. Thank you for joining us in being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community by opening your heart to share your time, talent and treasure.

Wendy Glick Executive Director

Subaru sharing love with Harbor House Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter has

been chosen by Subaru of Wichita as the local charity to participate in the annual Subaru Share the Love event.

Car buyers who purchase or lease a new car from Subaru of Wichita between Nov. 18 and Dec. 31, will be given the opportunity to select a charity to receive a $300 donation from Subaru of America and Subaru of Wichita.

Wichita-area buyers will choose between Harbor House or one of the national charities designated by Subaru of America.

If you are in the market for a new car this fall and you choose a vehicle from Subaru of Wichita, be sure to share the love by selecting Harbor House – Catholic Charities as your charity of choice. The $300 contribution from Subaru provides one day of shelter, food and assistance for three families.

Passion for the mission leads Bell to development role Kenna Bell celebrated her one-year

service anniversary at Catholic Charities in a new role within the organization.

After spending most of her first year at St. Anthony Family Shelter, as Rapid Rehousing coordinator and shelter support, Kenna joined the development team as annual fund manager in mid-August.

In her new role, Kenna coordinates gift-in-kind donations, giving drives and special events while also providing stewardship to donors.

“I have felt more fulfilled than ever before since joining Catholic Charities, and am grateful to come to work every day with others who share the same values and mission to better our community,” says the Wichita native. She is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and is currently working on her master’s in public administration with a nonprofit management focus through Wichita State University.

Stuff the Box coming Nov. 1-14 The annual Stuff the Box collection drive, which gathers household products, diapers and formula for babies, toiletries, new clothing items, school supplies and more, is set for Nov. 1-14.

All the items donated will help make the stay at Harbor House easier for the women and children who often arrive at the shelter with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing when they fled from their abuser.

Visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org to see a full wish list of needed items and a complete listing of drop off locations. You also can learn how to virtually support the campaign through financial support. Or, call (316) 264-8344, ext. 1262, for more information.

Bees buzzing to support shelters

C AT H O L I C C H A R I T I E S P R E S E N T S

THE QUEEN BEE COURT

Six local women are buzzing with enthusiasm for Catholic Charities’ two shelters – Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter – as they raise both awareness of and funds for the shelters.

During a six-week campaign which concludes Nov. 12, the six Queen Bees will use a peer-to-peer fundraising platform to reach out to family, friends, coworkers and others in an attempt to each raise at least $3,000 for shelter operations. That figure represents the costs to house, feed and provide assistance for one family in shelter for one month.

Jennifer Collins

Jenna Donovan-Weinberg

Kari Hampel

BreAnna Monk

Shelby Myers

Lindsey Wasinger

This marks the fifth Queen Bee Campaign for Catholic Charities, which taps into the leadership of the community’s most dynamic and inspiring women – women who believe in making a difference.

Selected for their professional success, civic achievements and commitment to philanthropy, the 2021 Queen Bees are: Jennifer Collins, MONAT Global

BreAnna Monk, City of Derby

Jenna Donovan-Weinberg, OnPoint-Realtors and Noveau

Shelby Myers, Hound and Honey Photography

Kari Hampel, Barry Callebaut

Lindsey Wasinger, Fugate Enterprises

At the conclusion of the campaign, the top fundraiser will be named Queen Bee Woman of the Year. In 2020, five Queen Bees combined to raise the dollars necessary to provide one month of shelter, food and assistance for 17 families.

To learn more about the 2021 Queen Bee honorees or to donate to one, visit give.classy.org/QueenBee2021.

Kansas Community Tax Credits available for those who help finish ADS campus

Catholic Charities has been blessed with a special opportunity for donors interested in helping with the final phase of the Adult Day Services campus: an outdoor accessible recreation area. We learned in July that Catholic Charities received Community Service Tax Credits (CSP) from the state of Kansas.

The CSP program provides a 50 percent tax credit – different then a tax deduction – to qualified donors who support awarded nonprofit organizations. As an example, a person who newly donates $5,000 to Catholic Charities specifically for the ADS outdoor recreation space would receive from Catholic Charities a certificate for $2,500 in Kansas tax credits.

Scan the QR code with your phone camera to link directly to the Queen Bee campaign page.

The person would submit the tax credit certificate when filing their Kansas tax return for the year in which the donation was made.

The proposed outdoor recreation area includes a canopy-covered picnic area, water feature, percussion and tactile equipment, swinging equipment, and a large multi-purpose area for a variety of activities. The entire area will be encompassed by a wide, concrete walking path, and will be fenced for the safety of program participants.

If you would like to learn more about this special opportunity, please call or email LeAnne Miller, (316) 264-8344, ext. 1221, or lmiller@ CatholicCharitiesWichita.org.

Catholic Charities is our collective response to God’s call to serve others within the Diocese of Wichita.

- WENDY GLICK

We are called to serve together

Sharing

God’s Love

Catholic Charities’ Report to a Generous Community, 2020-2021

Moments of Impact Feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless

We are called by God to serve others. To be His hands and feet in the community. To create moments of impact in the lives of others, moments in which they feel God’s love.

“We strive daily to have a servant’s heart, and show agape love by serving our families and children, and ensuring our families are in a clean and safe environment during their time of crisis.”

- Ann Nash, program director, St. Anthony Family Shelter

Food and shelter are two of the most basic human needs that Catholic Charities addresses in the community.

Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Rapid ReHousing St. Anthony Family Shelter Seeds for Success

Bound together by the common thread of sharing God’s love by caring for all people, the 13 ministries of Catholic Charities create moments of impact in the lives of more than

18,000

people each year.

3,149 people financially supported Catholic Charities

895

“I believe that, in caring for those who walk into our facility and ensuring they feel loved and respected from the time they drive into our parking lot until the time they pull out, we are a part of something greater; we are advancing of the Kingdom of God.” - Christopher Edmiston, program director, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

475 children and adults called St. Anthony Family Shelter home

volunteers gave their time

631,400

91 veterans

meals provided by Our Daily Bread Food Pantry

received rent and utilitites assistance

Operating Income* Contributions & Fundraising Events 36% $3,229,000

first time donors

250

Southeast Kansas Services Supportive Services for Veteran Families

Operating Expenses*

Government & Private Grants $3,313,000 37%

United Way 4% $377,000 Diocesan Subsidy 8% $743,000

TOTAL: $9,029,000

Sharing God’s love by caring for all people.

Client Fees 15%

$1,367,000

Hunger & Homelessness 32% $2,874,000

Domestic Violence $2,546,000 29%

Enrichment Services 25% $2,177,000 Administration 11% $942,000

Fundraising $303,000 3%

TOTAL: $8,842,000 * From unaudited financial reports. Figures have been rounded.

Catholic Charities serves a growing number of people in southeast Kansas Based in downtown Pittsburg, Catholic Charities focuses its work in southeast Kansas on helping the homeless and survivors of domestic violence.

SAFE Project helps survivors of domestic violence with safety planning, financial literacy and employment assistance.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families helps homeless veterans secure stable housing.

Southeast Kansas Services at Catholic Charities focuses on homeless prevention and household stabilization through rent and utility emergency assistance, resource navigation for mainstream benefits and financial literacy.

22%

increase in individuals served

659

Counties served by Catholic Charities

months of rent or utilities paid

Counties served through Southeast Kansas Services Catholic Charities offices (Wichita & Pittsburg)

Pittsburg Office: 417 N. Broadway, Suite B | Pittsburg, KS 66762 | (620) 235-0633

From victims to survivors of domestic violence “My kids told me that they haven’t felt this safe and loved in a long time.”

- Client, Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter

Thousands of people who experience domestic violence and sexual assault are helped each year through community outreach and shelter services offered through these ministries: Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter OVW Transitional Housing

SAFE Project

“SAFE Project helps victims become survivors by finding a safe environment and employment that allows them freedom from their abuser.”

- Kate Kinman, coordinator, SAFE Project

9,000 calls to the Harbor House hotline

survivors & children 1,520 served in shelter & through client services in the community

Enriching the lives of individuals, couples & families at every stage of life “The new campus is truly a blessing for Catholic Charities and those we serve through Adult Day Services. Thanks to a top-to-bottom renovation funded by generous donors, Adult Day Services has a home that will serve us well for years to come.”

- Wendy Glick, executive director, Catholic Charities

Through counseling, legal assistance and interpersonal connections, Catholic Charities enriches the lives of individuals, couples and families, immigrants, seniors and disabled adults through these ministries: Adult Day Services Cana Counseling

467

Foster Grandparent Program Immigration Services

Immigrant clients received assistance with their documentation or citizenship filings

3,572

sessions conducted by Cana Counseling with 285 adults and 80 children

Program participants and staff alike were all smiles when the doors to the new Adult Day Services building opened April 13. The 30,000 square foot building includes 10 program rooms, 24 accessible bathrooms, three changing rooms, a roll-in shower, a sensory room and a large multi-purpose room for meals and large group activities.

Three join Catholic Charities board A ndy Buessing, Deborah Gladney and

Brian Kaiser have recently joined the board of directors for Catholic Charities Wichita.

Each began a three-year term on the board in August.

Andy, a licensed civil engineer, is president of Hutton, and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colwich.

Deborah is chief executive officer and co-founder of QuickHire. She is a member of NewSpring Church.

Brian is director of refined products trading for Flint Hills Resources. He is a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

Volunteer meal trains help feed those in shelters F or many people, a home-cooked meal is much more than nourishment for Andy Buessing

the body; a home-cooked meal also can bring comfort, love and a sense of security, regardless of whether it was enjoyed at home or eaten at a shelter.

Countless volunteers have for years been delivering home-cooked meals on the weekends to St. Anthony Family Shelter. Now, a similar “meal train” is doing the same for Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter. Neither shelter has a weekend cook, leaving the responsibility for preparing meals to the part-time employees who staff the shelters on the weekends.

Deborah Gladney

Catholic Charities is guided by a board of directors that represents donors and the community, and actively supports the agency’s mission. Each is formally invited by Brian Kaiser The Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme, Bishop of Wichita, to serve on the Catholic Charities’ board. Directors share their areas of expertise with Catholic Charities and take the lead in setting strategic priorities for the organization.

“Taking a meal can really impact someone’s day. Maybe a resident or their children had a rough day, and they’re able to come back to the shelter and enjoy a wonderful, home cooked meal,” says Shauna Long, volunteer meal train coordinator for Harbor House. “Linda (Lauer, meal train coordinator) has done a great job at St. Anthony Family Shelter, and I think the Harbor House meal train opens up another opportunity for people to volunteer in a simple, economical way as an outreach to the community.”

The two shelter meal trains are formed by volunteer teams from churches and organizations that sign up to make food for about 30-40 people; most groups volunteer on a quarterly basis.

Interested in joining the meal train?

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Tiffany Oltjenbruns at (316) 264-8344, ext. 1261. Or, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org/volunteer, for more information.

Shauna says everyone in shelter needs love and nutrition, and she wants to help provide it by assuring they have home-cooked meals on Saturdays and Sundays.

“I've served meals at Harbor House in the past and know the need is great,” she says. “It also gives the staff a break from preparing one to two meals per week, so they can stay focused on other resident needs. The residents, from what I hear, have expressed gratitude that they have a hot, nourishing meal and variety.”

Thank you for the van!

Thank you to Lisa Hambelton and all our friends at Mel Hambelton Ford for donating a wheelchair-accessible van to Adult Day Services at Catholic Charities.

The reconditioned van will make it easier for staff to transport program participants to and from the ADS campus.

From worship leader to pantry director, Edmiston still building disciples

F

or Christopher Edmiston, the end goal remains the same: advancing the kingdom of God. After nearly 15 years in church ministry in Burnet, Texas, Wichita and San Antonio, Christopher is now doing God’s work by feeding the hungry as the new program director for Our Daily Bread Food Pantry at Catholic Charities.

“In my very first conversation with Joyce Mahoney (senior director of programs), I heard a vision, a mission, and a plan that empowered me to be a part of this wonderful organization and this specific arm of Catholic Charities,” Christopher says. “Our Daily Bread also allows me to continue in my deep hearted passion of making disciples, both through interactions with customers, but also in my time with the men and women who give their time day in and day out through their gift of service.”

Christopher, who started in his new role Aug. 31, recently moved with his family to Wichita from Bertram, Texas. He most recently served as worship and discipleship pastor at

WENDY GLICK Executive Director

First Baptist Church in Burnet, Texas. From March 2015 to June 2019, he served at First United Methodist Church and Restoration Church in Wichita.

The clients Christopher has encountered remind him that the work he is doing at the pantry can be just as impactful as his time leading a worship service.

“The brief encounters and moments of genuine conversation with clients have reminded me of our call to be people acting as the hands and feet of Jesus,” he says. “I believe that, in caring for those who walk into our facility and ensuring they feel loved and respected from the time they drive into our parking lot until the time they pull out, we are a part of something greater; we are participating in advancing the Kingdom of God.”

LEANNE MILLER

Senior Director of Development

MARY BETH CHAMBERS Marketing and Communications Director

CatholicCharitiesWichita.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christina Ricke, Chair K•Coe Isom

Christopher J. Goebel, Vice Chair Star Lumber & Supply Co., Inc.

Fr. Daryl Befort

Diocese of Wichita, St. Joseph Parish, Andale

Andy Buessing Hutton

Scott Bergkamp

Feeding the Hungry Our Daily Bread operates thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers. If you are interested in organizing a food drive or making a cash contribution, please contact Kenna Bell at events@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org; those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Tiffany Oltjenbruns at volunteer@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org.

Bergkamp Construction

Monte Cook

Commerce Bank

Christopher Dugan

Fiberglass and Composite Technology

Deborah Gladney QuickHire

Missy Hampel

Ascension Via Christi Hospitals

Help us meet a #GivingTuesday match There is an extra reason to choose Catholic Charities on this #GivingTuesday, Nov. 30. Your donation will have double the impact as it will be matched, dollarfor-dollar.

Our wonderful friends at Fugate Enterprises, the local franchisee for Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, have established a $15,000 matching fund as a way to inspire people to give to Catholic Charities Nov. 30 on #GivingTuesday. GivingTuesday is a worldwide day of giving which reminds people to donate to charities after holiday shopping on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

Proceeds from #GivingTuesday donations to Catholic Charities will go towards the Faithful Servant Fund, allowing us to address the most urgent needs within the community in the priority areas of hunger and homelessness, domestic violence and enrichment services.

#GI ING TUESDAY

Stephen Hayes

Five Point Ventures, LLC

Mary Alice Johnson Kuman Learning Center

Brian Kaiser

Fint Hills Resources

Most Rev. Bishop Carl A. Kemme, D.D. Bishop of Wichita

Chuck Marshall

Community Volunteer

Ed Mikesell

Comfort Care Homes of Kansas City

Kevin Mitchelson

Wheeler & Mitchelson, Chartered

Kevin Mullen

Ritchie Associates, Inc.

Carol Streckfus Cohlmia Marketing

Sr. Marsha Wilson, ASC

Adoorers of the Blood of Christ

HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

ENRICHMENT SERVICES

CatholicCharitiesWichita.org (316) 264-8344 Catholic Charities infuses faith into our community through the care it shows all people

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CONNECTIONS

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