transform one’s life in unexpected ways. For Jerricka, the job she found with the help of the Seeds for Success program at St. Anthony Family Shelter provides the expected: income to secure stable housing for her and her son so they are no longer homeless. But her job as a paraeducator at a Wichita elementary school provides so much more than a steady income. It has given her a caring support system that is helping her heal from years of emotional and physical abuse. In addition, her job is helping her learn to trust people again, feel safe outside her home environment, and to speak up for herself. “The children fill my cup,” Jerricka says of her time spent each morning greeting students as they get off buses. “I’m happier at this job than any other job I’ve had. Every day is different. It is the same routine, but with different things happening every day.” With the encouragement of her Seeds employment case manager, Jerricka prepared herself for the interviews, testing and certifications that were required to become a paraeducator. She completed her first 90 days on the job at the end of 2023 and earned a raise in pay. Jerricka had been in and out of St. Anthony Family Shelter five or six times between 2016 and 2022.
Photo courtesy of Jerricka Years of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of family members and partners left her wary of people and filled her with anxiety and self-doubt. After someone she trusted harmed her young son while caring for him, Jerricka believed she could not trust anyone to watch Elijah, making it impossible for her to work. She first became aware of the Seeds for Success program while staying at St. Anthony’s in 2021 but did not take full advantage of it. She exited St. Anthony to transitional housing and left that four months later to move in with a new partner. When that relationship turned abusive, she and Elijah moved out and spent several months staying with others. Jerricka and Elijah returned to St. Anthony’s in May 2022, and she brought with her a new determination. Continues on page 5
Has it already been a year? By Traci Kennedy, Executive Director, Catholic Charities “Giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our lord Jesus to God the father.” (Ephesians 5:20)
The past year has been a great learning experience for me. I have learned what Catholic Charities means to the community, and what the community means to Catholic Charities. As a long-time resident of Wichita and member of the Catholic community, I already knew about many of the ministries of Catholic Charities and the work that each does. Or, at least I thought I did. I was aware that Harbor House and St. Anthony Family Shelter provide safe places for those who are abused or homeless. I knew Our Daily Bread Food Pantry feeds hungry people, and that Cana Counseling helps strengthen Christian marriages. Continues on page 2
WINTER 2024
It is with a tremendous amount of gratitude that I close out my first year as executive director of Catholic Charities. It is hard to believe that it has already been a year. I suppose what they say about “time flies when you are having fun” is true.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
F inding the right job at the right time can
CONNECTIONS
Jerricka finds Seeds for Success on her journey to stability