Sarah's 2017 Report to the Community

Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women 1884 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105

Report to the Community 2016 - 2017

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A Ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province, since 1996

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Le er from the Director For the past ten years at Sarah’s, it has been my privilege to accompany many women who have been welcomed home here, finding hope, peace, safety, love, and beauty. I reflect on the hearts of Sarah’s women, how they have touched mine, and the wonderful experience of being part of Sarah’s.

Since 2010, when I became Director, Sarah’s has connected with many compassionate volunteers who have shared their lives and valuable time and energy.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province (CSJ) and Consociates continue to be part of Sarah’s, along with Sisters from other religious communities in the USA and Africa. Sarah’s staff is an effective and powerful team supporting Sarah’s mission, residents, and volunteers.

I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to work with such skilled and caring staff and volunteers. Sarah’s has been a placement site for the St. Joseph Worker program for over a decade, and more recently, Sarah’s became a placement site for the Ignatian Volunteer program. I am most grateful to all of Sarah’s supporters who donate generously their time, talent and treasure.

Sarah’s has commenced a new three-year strategic plan, and we celebrated together as a community at our annual “Welcome Home” Breakfast and Benefit held in June 2017. Our advisory council is a vital part of Sarah’s, bringing in talented and committed people with professional expertise in a wide variety of career fields.

Additionally, we’ve broadened our community-based model with new service providers while deepening our relationship with well-established collaborators.

I look forward to what the future holds for Sarah’s and continuing my commitment to Sarah’s mission and to the residents, staff and volunteers of Sarah’s.

Cheryl Behrent

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

Vision Women healing from trauma continue vibrant, meaningful lives and contribute to the common good.

Who liv at Sarah ’s?

• Women over the age of 20 who are not currently parenting • Women of any ethnicity, creed or religious affiliation • Women for whom no other resources are currently available • Women who are medically independent and chemically (addiction) free • Women with a willingness and ability to live in community where space, food preparation, and household work are shared • Women whose transition is ordinarily completed within 1½ years

Sarah’s primary focus remains connecting current residents to resources and support through our network of community-based service providers, programs, and professionals.

Sarah's staff works hard to connect residents with resources in specific areas that meet their individual needs, and provide them with ways to be independent and sustained.

Sarah’s served 47 unique women from July 2016 – June 2017. are connected to appropriate resources moved on from Sarah’s of Sarah’s current residents are in school of Sarah’s current residents are working full or part-time

Sarah’s... an Oasis for Women CSJ Administration Center 1884 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105 651-696-8642 sarahsoasis.org info@sarahsoasis.org

My Oasis, M y Story Since I came to Sarah’s, I have gained independence which has impacted my life positively.

I remember when I first arrived, Cheryl and the staff greeted me with a warm “welcome home.�

I did not know how to take the bus or train so Sarah’s taught me and provided me with a metro pass card. Sarah’s encouraged me to go to school and helped me find housing. I was able to get a job and now I can take care of my family back home.

Today, I have my two children with me in our own home. I am working and going to school.

My favorite part of living at Sarah’s was being with the other women who are all from different cultures.

Everyone has a different way of cooking and different religions, but the bottom line is we are all at Sarah’s for the same reason: to have a better life.

I am thankful for the day I came to Sarah’s, and I am thankful for being able to move on. I wish everyone at Sarah’s success so they can also move on.

Thank you, Sarah’s!

Imani *

*Name changed for privacy

How canI get involved ?

Share: Invite your friends to join us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

Spend time reflecting on how you might deepen your engagement with Sarah’s.

Hand out Sarah’s quarterly wish list to people you know. Download Sarah’s information from our website: www.sarahsoasis.org.

Help: Join Sarah’s as a volunteer! We need volunteers with a wide variety of gifts, talents, and skills. Join us for one of our monthly house tours (1st Tuesday of each month at 10:30AM). Contact Sarah’s at 651-696-8642 or email info@sarahsoasis.org to get involved.

Give: Consider a financial donation to Sarah’s. Become a recurring donor and join the Friends of Sarah’s Circle. Make a difference in the lives of the women of Sarah’s through financial gifts and/or gifts in-kind. Visit www.sarahsoasis.org/donate-2 or contact Martha at 651-696-8672 for more information.

New at Sarah ’s!

Sarah Brenes

Director of the Refugee and Immigrant Program at The Advocates for Human Rights is the new Chair of Sarah’s Advisory Council.

MacKenzie O’Kane

Important Dat Sarah’s Monthly House Tour Sarah’s monthly house tour is scheduled for the 1st Tuesday of each month at 10:30AM. We prefer an RSVP, but drop-ins are also welcome. Please contact Martha at 651-696-8672 for more details or to RSVP.

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October 2017

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November 2017

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December 2017

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January 2018

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May 2018

St. Joseph Worker for 2017-2018

Staff 2016-2017

Cheryl Behrent, Director Faith Clark, House Manager Lindsay Schaefer, St. Joseph Worker Martha West, M.A., CFRE ® Community Relations Associate

Citizen Katie with students and alumni from St. Catherine University at Sarah’s Saturday, October 15th, 2017, 9:00AM – 12:00PM

Sarah’s Advisory Council Thanksgiving Dinner for Sarah’s residents, Thursday, November 16, 2017

15th Annual St Kate’s Charity Ball to benefit Sarah’s Friday, December 8th, 7:00PM – 9:30PM Rauenhorst Ballroom, Coeur de Catherine St. Catherine University. All are welcome!

CSJ Consociate Networking Event with current and former residents at Sarah’s Wednesday, January 24th, 2018, 7:00PM – 8:30PM

Sarah ’s Advisory Council 2016-2017

Blanche (Bea) Abdallah,

External Relations and Fundraising Sarah Brenes, Chair-Elect, The Advocates for Human Rights Nancy Davis, CSJ Marilyn Harder, Friend of Sarah’s Mary Hunt, Chair, CSJ Consociate Renuka Jayatunge, RN, Former Resident Rojina McCarthy, Center for Victims of Torture Margaret McRaith, CSJ Consociate Colleen O’Malley, CSJ Teri Fink Peterson, ELL Teacher Alex Philstrom, Human Resources Betty Schindler, CSJ Consociate Amy Smith, International Institute of MN Cheryl Behrent, Director, CSJ Consociate Martha West, Community Relations Associate, CSJ Consociate

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Sarah’s labyrinths are open for walking and contemplation during the summer.

All are welcome!

June 2018

Sarah’s Annual “Welcome Home” Breakfast Buffet and Benefit Wednesday, June 20th, 2018, 8:00AM – 9:30AM Anderson Center, Hamline University 774 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul RSVP: www.sarahsoasis.org/benefit All are welcome!

July 2018

Sarah’s Annual Reunion with current and former residents, staff, and volunteers Saturday, July 28th, 2018