Report to the Community 2015

Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women Report to the Community 2015

Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women is a home dedicated to safety and dignity for a diverse community of women where they are empowered to begin new and productive lives.

A ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), St. Paul Province, since 1996

Report to the Community 2015

Sarah’s 2015 report to the community is a snapshot of a day in the life of Sarah’s.

Our report highlights the day-to-day life of women at Sarah’s learning “One lesson at a time. One day at a time. One woman at a time.” The pictures and stories illustrate life at Sarah’s, and you will find helpful statistics, illuminating the depth, breadth, and range of our daily life. In the midst of our routines and rituals, each day holds the potential for something different and unique to happen.

Sarah’s Advisory Council Participates in Life at Sarah’s

During the last year, Sarah’s Advisory Council (SAC) members undertook two major projects in support of the staff and residents. In November, 2014, SAC members provided Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, dressing, gravy, and all the fixings, plus delicious pies for dessert. SAC members contributed most of the food and helped with cooking, set up, and clean up. Monica Shaffer, Sarah’s 2014-2015 St. Joseph Worker*, presented a brief musical performance on flute with Mary Hunt, SAC Chair and CSJ consociate, on piano. Everyone enjoyed sharing a festive meal together, and SAC members plan to continue this Thanksgiving tradition as an annual event. *The St. Joseph Worker Program empowers

women ages 21-30 to respond to social change and the needs of the times for one year.

In April, 2015, SAC members hosted Sarah’s second open house and fundraiser.

A fund-raising goal of $5,000 was met, and friends both old and new had an opportunity to tour the house and visit with each other. SAC members donated all the food for the event, helped with set up, served as hosts, and assisted with clean up. The program of the day included former resident and CSJ consociate Rebecca Makayi who spoke eloquently about her experience living at Sarah’s and her many goals and accomplishments since leaving.

Celebrating 20 Years of Ministry and Planning for the Future

During the next year, Sarah’s will be celebrating our 20th year of ministry.

Ongoing events are planned that include a mural of the history of the CSJs and Sarah’s to be painted in the LePuy Grandmothers’ room in collaboration with the art department at St. Catherine University. Other events of note are Citizen Katie Day, St. Kate’s Charity Ball, a special CSJ consociate dinner, and our capstone event, Sarah’s 20th Anniversary Benefit to be held on Thursday, June 23rd, 2016.

Please check our website for more information and details on these and other events.

The fiscal year 2014-15 was one of development and the start of implementation of new fund-raising strategies with the CSJ Ministries Foundation. Several productive conversations between the Ministries Foundation, our SAC Chair, and Sarah’s managerial staff occurred last summer resulting in a “Kickstarter Grant” from the Ministries Foundation for Sarah’s to hire a Research Assistant designated to report in more depth on the progress of Sarah’s former residents. Funds have also been earmarked for Sarah’s staff to participate in professional development seminars and workshops. Both projects will assist us in our strategic planning and fund-raising efforts for 2016 and beyond.

Eden’s* Story: A Day in the Life of a Sarah’s Resident

Eden is a resident who has lived at Sarah’s for nearly one year and is looking for a job. Her plan is to obtain asylum, complete a training program, and apply for a job. Eden plans to stay at Sarah’s another six to eight months. She will find other sustainable employment before she finishes her training program so that she can move into more permanent housing. She plans for her children to join her once she moves on from Sarah’s.

During her stay at Sarah’s, Eden is in the process of accomplishing many life goals. Eden wakes up early each day to take care of her house job and prepare for school. She makes breakfast and eats with other residents who are also getting ready for their day. They share stories and enjoy each other’s company. Eden loves her sisters at Sarah’s because they share similar life experiences even though they come from different parts of the world and speak different languages. After breakfast, Eden cleans up the kitchen and then she meets with Sarah’s St. Joseph Worker to get information on a job she’s considering. Then, with her Metro Transit card, she’s off to the bus stop so she can get to school on time.

Eden returns to Sarah’s in the afternoon and meets with Sarah’s Director for her bimonthly conference. During the conference, Eden reviews her life goals and makes adjustments if needed. She follows up on her application for permanent housing, and discusses a current health challenge she is facing. She shares about her fears and concerns regarding her children. During the conference, Eden is connected with additional community resources that will enable her to overcome her fears, get the healthcare she needs, and accomplish her goals.

Before dinner, Eden meets with Sarah’s House Mentor to learn about her new house job. House jobs change every few months. She then meets in the kitchen with the House Manager and other residents to prepare dinner. After dinner, Eden helps clean up and then goes downstairs to Sarah’s computer lab to complete her homework and check on her job applications. Before bed, Eden spends time meditating in Sarah’s chapel and then meets a few of the other residents in Sarah’s community room for some light conversation.

Eden is determined to accomplish her goals. Obtaining asylum is one of her top goals, and she has many short-term goals to help her accomplish her longer-term goals. At Sarah’s she has others standing beside her, assisting her with support and resources. She is encouraged because she knows her goals will become realities. She knows she can trust the people at Sarah’s to give her good advice, and most of all, she knows she is safe. Once she moves on, she knows Sarah’s is a home she can visit for support or to catch up with friends. *Name has been changed for privacy

Sarah’s Will Always Be Your Home

With the help and support of our many donors and supporters, Sarah’s has completed the face-lift of our kitchen as well as the installation of two labyrinths on our property. The kitchen is the heart of our home, and with the help of the American Institute of Architects-Minnesota and the University of Minnesota’s “Freedom by Design” senior class, our kitchen is more functional for the daily lives of our residents and is absolutely beautiful! Sarah’s also extends thanks and gratitude to CSJ consociate Lisa Moriarty (Paths of Peace) whose vision and dedication to our labyrinth projects has produced two stunning labyrinths that offer daily opportunities for walking meditation and spiritual health.

Everyone at Sarah’s invites you to visit during one of our monthly tours or join us for dinner on a Wednesday evening. Please stop by to enjoy the yard and walk the labyrinths. To all of our wonderful residents, current and former, and to all those who have lovingly given of their time, talent and treasure over the last 20 years: Sarah’s will always be your home!

Cheryl Behrent Director of Sarah’s

Mary Hunt, Chair Sarah’s Advisory Council

Kitchen Update: The Heart of the Home at Sarah’s

Sarah’s kitchen face-lift began in February, 2014 when Sarah’s was invited to participate in the American Institute of Architects-Minnesota (AIA-MN) “Search for Shelter Design Charrette.” Sarah’s received several architectural drawings from the Charrette which assisted in the planning of Sarah’s new kitchen design. In June 2014, Sarah’s was contacted by Freedom by Design, the AIA–MN student organization located within the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. The architecture students, Randahl Construction, and John Viktora-Croke, CSJ Facilities Manager, worked together on the project.

The students were excited that Sarah’s would be Freedom by Design’s 10th anniversary project. They benefitted by getting hands-on experience while making meaningful changes to Sarah’s kitchen. The project was completed in June 2015, and has improved the safety, dignity, and comfort of Sarah’s residents.

In Memory of Maggie

Accomplishments in 2015

Sarah’s continues to receive calls from women desperate to find safe, temporary housing.

The residents of Sarah’s suffered trauma, left their countries of origin and found themselves adversely affected by the economic conditions of the United States.

All of our residents are economically disadvantaged. Most arrive without family, friends, or a network of support. In addition to being homeless, many women who come to Sarah’s do not have the skills or resources to live independently and lack access to social services and medical care. One of the reasons many women are unable to be self-sufficient is because they are in need of healing from abuse, torture, or discrimination.

Sarah’s serves adult women, ages 20 years old or older, who have no other resources, and do not qualify or have access to any other type of housing support. The average age of Sarah’s resident is around 30 years old. Sarah’s residents come from all parts of the world, and currently, most of Sarah’s residents are from Africa. At Sarah’s each woman is self-empowered to accomplish her goals and revive her spirit in order to be well-prepared for life beyond Sarah’s. Each year, Sarah’s remains at full capacity with 32 residents. Last year, Sarah’s served a total of 42 individual and unique women.

One of Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women’s founding mothers and long-time director, Sister Margaret Kvasnicka, CSJ, passed away on February 28, 2015.

It was Maggie’s life work to make a difference in the lives of women. She was a guiding light for the women of Sarah’s.

Memorials may be sent to The CSJ Ministries Foundation for Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women 1884 Randolph Ave St. Paul MN 55105

83% 67% 26% 30%

ARE IN SCHOOL

ARE WORKING FULL OR PART-TIME

ARE IN A JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

FOUND PERMANENT HOUSING

100%

ARE CONNECTED TO

APPROPRIATE RESOURCES

YOU

Matter!

Ask

DONATE

Your donation makes a significant difference in the life of a Sarah’s resident.

Please visit:

sarahsoasis.org

- Job Training & Education - Life-skill Development - Transportation - Connecting to Resources - Housing - and Much More!

Visit sarahsoasis.org to see the collective impact of your gifts!

Sarah’s Goes Organic!

This fiscal year at Sarah’s we instituted our organics collection effort, thanks to grants from the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, Rethink Recycling, and Biz Recycling. These grants allow us to divert more of our solid waste from landfills and allow it to be turned into compost! Whereas in the past we had filled a dumpster of garbage each week, now we only fill a large trash cart each week and fill three large carts with compostable materials -- a solid waste reduction of about 75%. The funds have been used to spend time working with our residents to teach them what to do with each item they are done using. Residents are encouraged to give away items for re-use; recycle cans, bottles, papers, etc.; place organics in separate containers and throw out only the few things left! We’ve even begun worm composting so that residents can learn how to do that, in case they move to an apartment where there won’t be organics collected.

Community Partners Sarah’s community-based model ensures that when women move from Sarah’s, they are empowered with the networks and skills they need to advocate for themselves.

A special acknowledgment to the following service providers as they make resources available for the women of Sarah’s in a variety of ways: Advocates for Human Rights Bridges to Safety Center for Victims of Torture Dress for Success Hennepin County and Medical Center International Institute of Minnesota Ramsey County Saint Catherine University Saint Paul Public Library System Sarah’s Volunteers Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province University of Saint Thomas Interprofessional Center Permanent Housing & Social Services Dress for Success Housing Link Joseph’s Coat Reach and Restore Saint Paul Public Housing

We have experienced slow but steady progress, and little by little, our residents are becoming experts at sorting their refuse in ways with the least harm to the environment.

They are understanding how important their actions are and learning new and hopefully lifelong habits. They are also teaching friends and coworkers outside of Sarah’s about recycling not only plastics, metal and paper but also organics. The fact that they are encouraging others to separate more waste means the work has really been successful!

Work Placement, Income & Financial Services Family Means Lutheran Social Services Minnesota Work Force Center Minnesota Works Job Training Program Prepare + Prosper Wells Fargo Women Achieving New Directions (WAND) Women’s Initiative for Self-Empowerment

Transportation Cycles for Change Lift Garage Metro Transit Discount Pass Education/Training/Volunteering Carondelet Village Century College Council on American-Islamic Relations Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Goodwill/Easter Seals Hubbs Center, St. Paul Schools Hubert H. Humphrey Job Corps Inver Hills Community College Luther Seminary Metro State University Minnesota Literacy Council Saint Paul College University of Minnesota Health, Safety and Wellness Creative Care Solutions Hanes ® Brands, Inc. HealthEast: Saint Joseph’s Hospital HealthPartners Dental Clinics Jewish Community Center Midway Clinic Midway Internal Medicine Minnesota Knitter’s Guild MNSure LensCrafters ® Open Cities Places of Worship / Sarah’s Chapel Portico HealthNet Insurance Regions Hospital Saint Mary’s Health Clinics United Hospital Women’s Drum Center Legal Services Attorney friends of Sarah’s Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota Lutheran Social Services University of Minnesota Law Clinic

For more information about our community collaborators: sarahsoasis.org/community-collaborators For a complete list of Sarah’s donors: sarahsoasis.org/donors

Sarah’s Reunion Celebration 2015

“Sarah’s is so beautiful, I can’t believe

it’s a home just for me. Sarah’s is my haven of peace where I can heal and achieve my goals.”

- Ranya*, a current resident of Sarah’s *Name has been changed for privacy

Sarah’s 20th Anniversary Benefit Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 6:00 PM Mount Zion Temple St. Paul For more information: sarahsoasis.org/get-involved/events

Art Makes Sarah’s A Home Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women’s new book Art Makes Sarah’s a Home tells the story of Sarah’s through the art in our home.

Please contact Sarah’s at 651-696-8672 for more information on how to receive a copy of this distinctive book!