2021 Summer - Catholic Charities Connections Newsletter

(ADS). With the renovations completed, and all equipment and boxes moved from the former location, staff welcomed participants to the new building April 13.

In a happy coincidence, the new campus opened on the feast day of the chosen patron saint for ADS. St. Margaret of Castello, who herself was afflicted with several deformities, is patron saint for those disabilities and physical challenges.

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Donors find many ways to give

by Wendy Glick, Executive Director Catholic A sCharities begins

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support.

The work of Catholic Charities is more important than ever before. We will continue to rely on you and other generous people like you to help us to be the hands and feet of Jesus every day.

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SUMMER 2021

a new fiscal year, we take a moment to pause and give thanks for all those who generously blessed us with gifts of all sizes during the past 12 months. While 2020 and 2021 might long be remembered as pandemic years, we’ll remember how thousands of donors, including hundreds of new ones, stepped up to insure that Catholic Charities had the necessary funds to serve a growing number of hungry, homeless and abused in our community.

As we look ahead, we know that the need for the services we offer will continue to grow as many in our community continue to be challenged by the economic consequences of the pandemic. Growing inflation makes it harder for families to feed their children.

Many will face the real possibility of homelessness as moratoriums on evictions are lifted. The pandemic led to higher incidents of domestic violence, and more people are seeking assistance with mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

was an exciting time for the program S pring participants and staff at Adult Day Services

CONNECTIONS

Bishop blesses Adult Day Services

Our Daily Bread invites clients back inside pantry After operating for more than a year as a drive thru, volunteers at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODB) were excited to welcome clients back into the pantry building June 1.

With a lower infection rate in Sedgwick County, combined with rising vaccination levels and the relaxing of COVID precautions, program director Joe Seitz said ODB was ready to safely reopen its doors to clients.

Coming into the building allows clients to choose the food items that they want for their family, rather than receiving a pre-packaged box of items that were distributed through the drive thru.

Seminarian Miles Swigart, assisting clients at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.

Finding ways to give Continued from page 1

We appreciate all those who use the enclosed return envelope to send a gift whenever they receive a newsletter. Or, the growing number of people who donate securely online via our website, with many choosing to become monthly donors. Others respond to our Christmas and spring appeal mailings. Still others think of us when making a required distribution from a retirement plan.

On page 5, LeAnne Miller, our senior director of development, explains how people can take an active role in helping raise dollars by inspiring those in their circle of influence.

Another way to give is by remembering Catholic Charities when planning your estate or preparing your will. This type of giving can leave a legacy while also lowering the tax burden for your heirs.

“We are still taking precautions, such as a one-way route through the pantry, and are so happy to welcome clients inside again,” Joe says.

“While the drive thru certainly served its purpose and was necessary, the volunteers and I agree that we can better serve our clients with dignity and respect when they are able to choose the food items they want.”

Joe says the early response from clients has been favorable. “One client recently shared with a volunteer that they prefer Our Daily Bread to other pantries in Wichita because ‘you guys treat us like human beings,’” he says.

Joe says that the pantry is still busier than it was prior to the March 2020 shutdowns, but the numbers have slowed since the height of the pandemic when 2,000 families would come each month.

“We are serving about 1,500 families a month now, or about twice what we were doing before the pandemic,” he says.

How you can help feed the hungry Make a cash donation that allows Joe to purchase discounted items in bulk.

Organize a food drive at your church or workplace.

Become a volunteer.

Brummel leaves a legacy

There are many ways that you can choose to support the work of Catholic Charities. Whichever method you choose, know that your gift is greatly appreciated and truly makes a difference in the life of another.

Ron Brummel was a frugal man -- a Vietnam veteran who loved his country and family. A lifelong Catholic, Ron remained a bachelor all his life and was beloved by his siblings, nieces and nephews. He worked for 50 years at his family’s Star Lumber and Supply, where he was the longtime credit manager.

Gratefully, Wendy

Patrick & Ron

Ron worried about whether he had saved enough money to cover his living expenses in retirement.

Wallisch joins Catholic Charities as senior finance director Bill Wallisch brings more than 25 years of senior financial leadership to his new position at Catholic Charities. He also brings a built-in passion for the Catholic Charities’ mission and a desire to serve clients and staff alike in the final years of his long career.

Bill joined Catholic Charities May 10 as senior director of finance and chief financial officer. He serves on the agency’s executive committee and is the staff liaison to the Board of Directors’ finance committee.

“During the interview process, Bill shared with me that he had been looking for the right opportunity to close out his long career with a servant-type of role when he saw our job ad in The Catholic Advance,” says Wendy Glick, executive director.

“From day one he has shown that he is as much of a good fit for us as we are a good fit for him,” she says.

He most recently served as chief financial officer for WaterWalk International, where he was named one of the area’s top CFOs by the Wichita Business Journal.

Two board members close terms Catholic Charities would like to extend our deepest appreciation to two volunteers who have recently completed their terms of service on our board of directors.

Jeff Leonard, Triplett, Woolf and Garretson, LLC, and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita, joined the board in 2012. He served as board chair from 20182020. Jeff will remain active on the build/design committee for Adult Day Services as the project enters its final phase.

Faithful Servant Collection adds new charm The opening of the new Adult Day Services campus provided an opportunity to introduce a new charm for the Faithful Servant Collection. The collection is designed exclusively for Catholic Charities by Saint by Sarah Jane, with proceeds from each sale benefitting the Faithful Servant Fund.

A charm honoring St. Margaret of Castello, patron saint of those with disabilities and physical challenges, and recognizing all those served by Adult Day Services, is now available.

To learn more, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org/ faithful-servant-collection.

Patty Koehler, JR Custom Metal Products, Inc., and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, joined the board in 2018.

When he opened his complete financial information to his nephew, Patrick Goebel, Patrick knew that his uncle needed a plan to manage his significant assets, both while he was living and after his death. The money he had saved would not only allow him to live comfortably in retirement, but could create a lasting legacy after he was gone.

determine how his money was disbursed.

Ron did not want that to happen and together they visited an attorney to establish an irrevocable trust. Rather than determining for himself which organizations would benefit from his estate, he left those decisions up to his siblings, telling Patrick, “If it is important to them, it is important to me.”

Patrick explained to Ron that without a will or estate documents, the state would

The family lost Ron on Nov. 1, 2020, at the age of 77. As Patrick closed out his

uncle’s affairs, one of his last tasks was to deliver checks to the 28 charities that Ron’s siblings had identified.

We are grateful that Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter were among the agencies receiving sizeable gifts from Ron’s estate. In addition, the family designated Catholic Charities as one of two organizations to receive memorial contributions in Ron’s honor.

Bishop blesses new Adult Day Services Continued from page 1

“This new campus is truly a blessing for Catholic Charities and those we serve through Adult Day Services,” says Wendy Glick, executive director. “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.”

March 2020

Donors gathered at the campus June 15 to participate as The Most Reverend Carl A. Kemme, D.D., Bishop of Wichita, formally blessed the building to cap a ceremony that also featured recognition of donors and project partners.

Demo Day in March of 2020, the start of construction at the new location.

What does our logo mean?

A bright and cheery new building calls for an equally bright new logo for Adult Day Services.

Oct. 2020

The logo illustrates the happiness program participants experience as they reach for their highest potential, safely surrounded by the genuine care and compassion of staff who are dedicated to providing true enrichment for each person served by Adult Day Services.

Making progress! Teams worked hard in the fall of 2020.

April 2021

Opening Day was a success! Participants were excited for their first day in the new building.

Adult Day Services now enrolling

May 2021

Participants are enjoying the large multipurpose room and the sensory room.

June 2021

The larger building means that Adult Day Services has the ability to serve more adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors coping with dementia, Alzheimer’s or loneliness.

To learn more about the available services, visit CatholicCharitiesWichita.org/ADS. Or, call (316) 942-2008 to schedule a tour.

Bishop Kemme blesses the new building with donors, participants and staff present.

Children find safety at Harbor House Earlier this year, Harbor House was bustling with 25 children staying in shelter with 11 moms. With children ranging in age from newborn to teenagers, Keri McGregor, program director, says those times are both “amazing and bonkers” as staff try to balance meals, schooling, counseling and advocacy.

Safety for every member of the family is the top priority. When one mother, who had recently delivered a healthy baby despite being abused throughout her pregnancy, came to shelter, her older children were missing. The abuser had taken them and she didn’t know where they were. While she was safe in shelter with the newborn, she was worried sick about her other children. After two days, she learned the children had been found and were safe. Harbor House staff worked with her and DCF to reunite the family at the shelter.

A few days later, Keri says the mother told her, “my kids just told me this morning that they haven’t felt this safe and loved in a long time.”

Those words meant so much to staff.

“This is an example of what our families have been through prior to coming into services and, sometimes, what we are working on with them the first couple of weeks,” Keri says. “Many families have situations to resolve before we can even begin to address their goals and next steps. It’s safety first with every single person.”

Harbor House Hotline Available 24/7 If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy relationship, the Harbor House Crisis Hotline is available 24/7 to help.

Call the hotline:

316-263-6000

Consider being a Queen Bee or party host

by LeAnne Miller, Senior Director of Development If you like to socialize – either in-person or online – while raising support for your favorite causes, then Catholic Charities might have the perfect opportunity for you this summer and fall.

We are looking for volunteers to be members of our 2021 Queen Bee Court this October. Queen Bees raise awareness of and funds for Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter and St. Anthony Family Shelter during a six-week campaign.

We give the Queen Bees the tools they need to inspire their networks of friends, families and coworkers to support the mission and work of Catholic Charities.

Queen Bees of the past have used social channels, emails, letters, face-to-face contacts and small parties to raise money for their campaigns. Each year, the top

fundraiser is recognized as “Queen Bee Woman of the Year.”

If an in-person gathering is more your style, we are seeking individuals and couples to host small parties for their families, friends and social contacts.

These gatherings provide the hosts an opportunity to share with others why they support Catholic Charities, and gives us an opportunity to share our story and connect with potential donors.

We will make hosting a party easy by working with you to arrange for a venue, theme, invitations and personalized online giving page.

If you would like to know more about either opportunity, please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to share more details. You can email me at lmiller@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org or call me at (316) 264-8344, ext. 1221.

We are grateful for the blessing of all those who help us raise funds so Catholic Charities may continue to share God’s love by caring for all people in our community.

Harbor House volunteer shares why she gives her time

by Natalie Leonard, Marketing & Communications Intern A common tie between the successes of all Catholic Charities ministries lies in the efforts of volunteers. At Harbor House, these individuals work with the staff to help provide a safe and supportive place for survivors of domestic violence. Volunteers who answer the hotline take part in a 40hour training program to prepare them to take crisis calls and help with the needs of clients.

One familiar face to Harbor House staff and clients is Jane Schwartz, a weekly volunteer. For the past 12 years, Jane has been giving of her time at Harbor House, helping out wherever there is a need. Whether she’s answering crisis calls, taking residents to appointments or picking up donations, Jane can be found at Harbor House for two and onehalf hours every week.

Although Harbor House shelters those who are experiencing some of the darker moments of their lives, love and warmth abound within the walls of the shelter. Some of Jane’s memories from volunteering include hearing laughter through a door as a staff member is in a meeting with a survivor, and seeing sticky ice cream smiles on children’s faces on hot August afternoons.

Stories of clients’ journeys of perseverance to prosperity are many, and Jane reflects on a memory of one particular client with whom she made a connection.

and that it always made her day to see the woman following through with her goals.

When the woman was able to leave Harbor House, Jane’s church helped deliver furniture and household goods to her. Jane says that it was “gratifying” to see the process from beginning to end – to see the client make a new start and to finally see some smiles on her face.

“There were seven lives positively affected by Catholic Charities Harbor House that day!” Jane says. “This is what keeps you coming back. You have the chance to be part of Catholic Charities’ commitment to building strong families. I can’t think of anything more important.”

“I helped a woman complete her paperwork upon entry. She was beautiful, but with the haunted, sad and dazed look that is familiar with domestic violence,” Jane recalls. “She was quiet, which was surprising because she had six children with her, and they were a lively bunch!”

Jane says that her connection with “The staff there deal with a lot of the woman made her quietly check emotional and physical pain, but are on her each time she volunteered, always supportive of clients and each other,” Jane says. “They never give up; if I can do any little thing to make their day “They never give up; if I can do any go a bit easier, I am so happy little thing to make their day go a bit to do so.”

easier, I am so happy to do so.”

Oltjenbruns matches volunteers, ministries

by Lara Salgado, Marketing & Communications Intern Tiffany Oltjenbruns is Catholic Charities’ new volunteer and communications coordinator. The position entails receiving and processing volunteer applications, placing the volunteers according to their interests and the needs of the ministries, and more.

Tiffany, although new to the Catholic Charities family, has plenty of volunteer experience. She has a long history of personally volunteering, and also has been a volunteer coordinator at Meals on Wheels and Via Christi Hospital.

Tiffany understands the importance of a volunteer and wants to insure a great experience for them.

“I’ve really enjoyed being here…

Everybody has a heart to help others.”

Learn more about volunteering Call Tiffany at (316) 264-8344, ext. 1261 or email her at volunteer@CatholicCharitiesWichita.org.

Jeff & Nicole Arensdorf

Wendy & Karl Glick

Missy Hampel

Alice Johnson

WENDY GLICK Executive Director

LEANNE MILLER

Senior Director of Development

MARY BETH CHAMBERS Marketing and Communications Director

Jeff & Ronnie Leonard

Sarah & Joe Nold

Christina Ricke

Scott Rosell CatholicCharitiesWichita.org

Caritas honorees inspire others to give The first-ever group of Caritas Society honorees surpassed their collective goal of $100,000, replacing about half of the funds that would have been raised if the Cruise Night gala had not been docked for 2021.

“We are grateful that these wonderful supporters of ours volunteered to inspire others to give to Catholic Charities,” says LeAnne Miller, senior director of development.

“It was important to replace a portion of the funds traditionally raised at Cruise Night, and the Caritas honorees did a tremendous job.”

The inaugural Caritas Society honorees were: Jeff and Nicole Arensdorf, Christ the King; Wendy and Karl Glick, St. Thomas Aquinas; Missy Hampel, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Alice Johnson, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Jeff and Ronnie Leonard, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Christina Ricke, Church of the Magdalen; Scott Rosell, St. Thomas Aquinas; Juvetta Slane, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; Carol and Chris Streckfus, Blessed Sacrament; Andrew and Emily Thengvall, St. Thomas Aquinas; and Marilyn and Randy Wells, St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Leonards were selected as the 2021 Caritas Society Honorees of the Year for rallying their friends and family to contribute more than $14,000.

“Having worked with Catholic Charities for many years, we’ve seen first-hand how its ministries positively impact the lives of those most in need in our community – no other

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christina Ricke, Chair

Juvetta Slane

Chris & Carol Streckfus

K•Coe Isom

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

Fr. Daryl Befort

Diocese of Wichita, St. Joseph Parish, Andale

Scott Bergkamp

Bergkamp Construction

Monte Cook

Commerce Bank

Christopher Dugan

Emily & Andrew Thengvall

Marilyn & Randy Wells

organization does so much for so many,” the Leonards say.

The Caritas honorees raised dollars for Catholic Charities’ Faithful Servant Fund, giving the agency flexibility to address the most urgent needs within the community in the priority areas of hunger and homelessness, domestic violence and enrichment services.

“We may not be able to go out and feed the hungry, but Catholic Charities does every day.

We may not be able to provide shelter to the homeless, but Catholic Charities does every day,” the Thengvalls say. “We see that Catholic Charities provides for those in need on our behalf. As followers of Christ and His Church, we know that today we are called to give so Catholic Charities can serve Our Heavenly Father’s children, every day, on our behalf.”

Fiberglass and Composite Technology

Missy Hampel

Ascension Via Christi Hospitals

Stephen Hayes

Five Point Ventures, LLC

Mary Alice Johnson Kuman Learning Center

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

CONNECTIONS

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HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS

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ENRICHMENT SERVICES

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

Helping homeless families is way to serve God “God teaches us all that it’s better to give than to receive. Our hope is the families we serve at St. Anthony Family Shelter may see a glimpse of Jesus’ love through the hot meals we serve, a warm, cozy bed, or a friendly face full of encouragement.

“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.

“His word says ‘whatever you do for the needy, you did for me.’”

- Ann Nash

St. Anthony Family Shelter is the only shelter in Wichita solely focused on families with dependent children. During a 30-day stay in shelter, families are provided assistance with applying for all benefits for which they are eligible, employment counseling and placement, and financial literacy, budgeting and parenting classes.

Ann Nash Director, St. Anthony Family Shelter

The goal is for families to move out of shelter into housing which they can sustain for a long period of time.

Your donation to Catholic Charities helps us feed, clothe and shelter children while providing their parents with the services they need to make a fresh start.