God gives hope to all Hambelton

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The story of Greg, an older man who built a life on the streets of Wichita for 40 years before connecting with our Rapid ReHousing ministry, is just one example. He faced so many barriers then, and now. But our staff perseveres because our work, despite all of the challenges, is meaningful and rewarding.

Lisa Butler, director of Cana Counseling, recently received a beautiful note from a client who had completed therapy. In part, the note said, “I don’t even know how to thank you for everything that you have done for me. It has been such a blessing having a Catholic therapist like you in my life. Thank you for always listening, calming my fears and validating my feelings.”

In John 14, Jesus reminds us to not be troubled or afraid, because he left us the gift of peace of mind and heart. It is this peace of mind that we strive to share with those whom we serve; we strive to calm their fears. We find strength in knowing that our God, the one who guides all our work at Catholic Charities, is not a god of hopelessness. He is a God of hope! Through His generous grace and mercy, no person or situation is ever a hopeless case.

That is why Catholic Charities continues each day to serve the most vulnerable in our community. For another 80 years, we will share God’s love with the hungry, homeless, disabled, lonely and abused.

With gratitude in our hearts for those who financially support the work that we do, the staff at Catholic Charities will continue to bring peace of mind and hope to the more than 15,000 people we serve each year.

Gratefully,

Empowering Women And Children

“Harbor House is attractive to me because they take in women and their children in tough times," Lisa says. “That’s what I love about Catholic Charities. They build self-esteem and teach life skills. They help women have the courage to start over.

“Harbor House is important for not only the women, but their children, too,” she continues. “It is important to encourage sons to choose a different way and for daughters to know they have great worth from God.”

Despite the tough times, Lisa’s parents built a life together for 57 years, until her father’s death in 2015. What he might have lacked as a father, he more than made up for as a grandfather.

“My father was not there for us as a dad, but he was a fantastic grandfather,” Lisa says lovingly of the man who had 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren at the time of his passing.

Butler is new senior director of finance atrick Butler brings more than 10 years of senior financial leadership at area non-profit organizations to his new role as senior director of finance at Catholic Charities.

Patrick joined Catholic Charities June 14, replacing Bill Wallisch, who completed two years in the role in early May. Bill and his wife, Martha, relocated to northeast Kansas to be closer to their Kansas City-area children and grandchildren.

Patrick oversees the day-to-day operations of the agency’s accounting and information technology departments. In addition, the Wichita native is a member of its executive committee and is the staff liaison to the board of directors’ finance committee.

“Patrick’s practical knowledge of how non-profits must blend charitable contributions, grant funding and fee-based revenue streams together to support the overall operating budget and longterm financial stability will serve Catholic Charities well,” says Traci Kennedy, executive director.

Did you know?

Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Patrick served nearly five years as vice president of finance and chief financial officer for KETCH, a Wichitabased intellectual and developmental disability service provider. He began his career at Flinthills Services/CDDO of Butler County, where he moved from staff accountant to accounting manager then chief financial officer.

Patrick earned both a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in business administration from Wichita State University. He and his wife, Jessica, live in Derby with their five children. The family attends St. Mary Catholic Church in Derby.

One Mission. Many Ministries. 80 years. 1981

The agency adopted the Foster Grandparent Program, which continues today to connect low-income seniors with children in need of tutoring, mentoring and special attention.