Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Catholic Charities at the Newsboys Concert

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Catholic Charities has been selected as the Ministry Spotlight agency for the sold out Newsboys concert on Saturday, March 8, 2008.

Tune in to 89.3 or visit on the web at www.ksbj.org to hear all about the concert.

Attendees of the Newsboys concert are being asked to bring canned goods, pastas and beans to be donated to Catholic Charities Food Pantries.

5-Mar-08 7:00 AM

An Attitude of Gratitude

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:00:00 GMT

Mollie Washington, 77, feels good about her participation 13 years as a volunteer in the Senior Companions program, saying it has helped her feel energetic and even improved her health.

For that, she is grateful and she gives God all the praise and honor, thanking Him for enabling her to do what she does.

Mollie learned about the program shortly after she retired and asked her daughter to help her find "something to do," because she knew she would deteriorate if she stayed home and watched television.

Mollie rarely misses a day of her volunteer commitment. When she does, she can't wait to get back to doing what she loves: being a companion for "Miss Miller" sitting with her; reading the Bible to her; fixing breakfast for her; and even helping her with bathing.

On a recent "day off," Mollie received a call from "Miss Miller," saying she was lonesome. Mollie assured her someone else would be there with her, but she replied, "I don't care who comes, I want to see you."

Mollie is grateful to have a reason to get out of the house every day. She had triple bypass surgery seven years ago and back surgery four years ago. After each one, she asked her doctors, "When can I go back to volunteering?"

As soon as she was given permission to resume her normal activities, she was back. Not even arthritis and having to walk with a cane could keep her away.

She has had a heart for seniors ever since she was 14 years old when her grandmother died with no one to look after her. Mollie thanks God every day that He has enabled her to, "Let me work. Let me be a help."

Most of all, she is grateful that she has the opportunity to meet people, often becoming like family to those who have no one else to care for them.

7-Nov-07 9:00 PM

Hopeful for the Future

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:45:00 GMT

Esperanza, 45, suffered decades of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of a violent husband who took every opportunity to insult, humiliate and control her.

Her husband often beat her and intimidated her with weapons and threatened to use them to kill her and her five children.

On a few occasions, Esperanza attempted to escape. However, he always found her and told her that he would have her deported, never allowing her to see her children again.

With the help of her employer, Esperanza came to Catholic Charities to find out if she might be eligible for citizenship. The staff of Catholic Charities' Cabrini Center for Legal Assistance began reviewing her case while also referring her to a Catholic Charities' family counselor.

After intensive counseling, Esperanza was finally able to tell her story. She explained to the Cabrini staff that before she met her husband, she already had a son due to a sexual assault in her own country.

After learning about the long history of abuse the staff decided to file a petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In cases of abuse, VAWA protects undocumented victims of domestic violence who are terrorized by their husbands or partners.

A couple of months after submitting her petition, Esperanza received her first legal document - her employment authorization card.

Soon after, she received a social security card and drivers' license and quickly got a second job.

Esperanza was scheduled for her final interview to determine residency. Although she was extremely nervous, she responded to all of the questions.

When the interview was over, the immigration officer told her that her case was granted and she was now a legal permanent resident of the United States. Without saying a word, and with tears in her eyes, she embraced her caseworker.

Esperanza takes pride in the fact that she can now survive on her own and provide for her children.

7-Nov-07 8:45 PM

Giving from the Heart

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Trini Mendenhall Sosa has always believed that success comes from unity – that when people join together in support of a common goal, they will invariably accomplish more.

She views her relationship with Catholic Charities the same way.

From her first personal experience of the agency, through an invitation from then-Archbishop Fiorenza to attend an event, to her current experience as the first individual woman slated to receive the prestigious Msgr. John J. Roach Award at the 2008 Spirit of Charity Gala, Trini has always considered it an honor to be involved with the many people who bring the mission of Catholic Charities to life.

"There’s so much love at Catholic Charities," says Trini. It resonates throughout the building – from social workers, the lawyers, all the staff. You can feel it. People in need can feel that warmth when they come in and ask for help."

Trini has done so much to contribute to that feeling of love.

Through her many hours of volunteer service, including time as the Chair of the Board of Directors and the co-founder of the Caritas Circle Giving Society, Trini has given of her time, talent and treasure in service to Catholic Charities’ mission of providing help and creating hope for all those in need.

The 2008 gala, Noche de Serenata, will take place on May 3, 2008 at the InterContinental Hotel. Trini is pleased that the event will feature a Latino influence: "It’s a wonderful way to showcase the diversity of the people we serve."

Trini encourages people to get more involved in the work of Catholic Charities. "The only way to experience the beautiful work we do is to get involved."

She added that anyone interested in the agency should come visit and feel the warmth. "Share your time, talent, and treasure with people in need," she added, "every gift, in any amount, is equally valuable if it is given in love. And Catholic Charities is a place where that love is given back."

7-Nov-07 8:00 PM

Searching for Inner Peace

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Dianne was in high school when both of her parents died in a tragic accident. As a result, she spent her final two years in high school being bounced back and forth between the homes of various family members.

The uncertainty of not knowing if someone would take her in caused her such grief that she fell into depression. It got to a point that she could no longer function and she dropped out of school.

As a result, she has spent much of her life suffering with depression. Although she had been successfully treated with medication for many years, her depression grew worse in the fall of 2004.

Dianne, 25, was referred to Catholic Charities’ Villa Guadalupe Transitional Housing program for assistance after she lost her job and her housing.

While living at the Villa, Dianne found full time employment in an administrative position. She continued to live at the Villa and saved her earnings until she was able to "get back on her feet" and support herself. Eventually she was able to rent her own apartment.

After leaving the Villa, Dianne wrote a thank-you letter to the Villa’s Staff. She said, "I thank you for everything you did for me when I was in danger of losing what I’d been trying so hard to build for so long."

In her letter she continued to say that if it weren’t for the help she received she is certain that she would have easily slipped back into depression.

Dianne’s life continues to be positive: her medication keeps her stable, and she has kept both her job and her apartment.

The staff of the Villa continue to keep in contact with Dianne and are there for her when she simply needs someone with whom to share her successes.

Dianne was in high school when both of her parents died in a tragic accident. As a result, she spent her final two years in high school being bounced back and forth between the homes of various family members.

The uncertainty of not knowing if someone would take her in caused her such grief that she fell into depression. It got to a point that she could no longer function and she dropped out of school.

As a result, she has spent much of her life suffering with depression. Although she had been successfully treated with medication for many years, her depression grew worse in the fall of 2004.

Dianne, 25, was referred to Catholic Charities’ Villa Guadalupe Transitional Housing program for assistance after she lost her job and her housing.

While living at the Villa, Dianne found full time employment in an administrative position. She continued to live at the Villa and saved her earnings until she was able to "get back on her feet" and support herself. Eventually she was able to rent her own apartment.

After leaving the Villa, Dianne wrote a thank-you letter to the Villa’s Staff. She said, "I thank you for everything you did for me when I was in danger of losing what I’d been trying so hard to build for so long."

In her letter she continued to say that if it weren’t for the help she received she is certain that she would have easily slipped back into depression.

Dianne’s life continues to be positive: her medication keeps her stable, and she has kept both her job and her apartment.

The staff of the Villa continue to keep in contact with Dianne and are there for her when she simply needs someone with whom to share her successes.

7-Nov-07 8:00 PM

Texas City – A Beacon of Hope

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Although she was embarrassed, nervous and a bit scared, 35 year-old Carol was very anxious to provide food for two-year-old son Scott.

At the recommendation of a friend Carol sought out help at the Catholic Charities food pantry in Texas City.

Overwhelmed with emotion and with tears in her eyes, Carol walked in and said, "I really just don't know where else to go."

She explained to the food pantry staff that she was undergoing cancer treatment for a brain tumor. The doctors had tried every available option without success and finally decided that she must have surgery to remove the tumor.

Eventually, Carol had to quit her job because she spent so much time in and out of the hospital. She was forced to live on her savings, but when these were all gone, she found herself unable to continue on her own. Her utilities were past due and she was on the verge of being evicted. Her health continued to worsen because she barely ate, instead saving her food for Scott.

The staff determined that Carol qualified for a government sponsored program that helps families like hers. Not only did Carol receive food for her son, she received an entire month's rent, and was assisted with finding other resources that would pay her utilities.

Meanwhile, the surgery to remove the brain tumor took a toll on Carol, rendering her unable to talk for a time, and causing her to experience severe memory loss.

However, the Texas City staff kept in touch with her family and reminded them of her appointment dates for food and rental assistance. Her son Scott became so used to the monthly visits that he often walked in saying, "Hi, can you give my mama some food please?"

Thankfully, Carol is on the road to full recovery. She says, of the Texas City staff: "Just knowing they were there for me was such a weight off my shoulders. I know that I can just call if I ever need help again."

6-Nov-07 5:00 PM

Plenty of Love to Go Around

noemail@catholiccharities.org — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Magaline and Ivan hoped that adoption would be the answer to their prayers. They knew that bringing a child into their home would add even more joy to their marriage of 18 years.

After completing the adoption application process, the couple was well on their way to search for a suitable match. The couple’s first attempt to adopt a child fell through, but their social worker encouraged them not to give up hope. They continued to pray that God would answer their prayers of becoming parents.

One month later, they learned of not one, not two, but three sisters who needed a home. The couple went to Livingston, Texas where Alyssa, who was 3 ½ years old at the time, and twin sisters Gabriela and Ayrianna, 2 ½, were living with a foster family.

Their four older siblings had been placed in different foster homes. Magaline and Ivan did not want to separate the girls since Alyssa had just recently been reunited with her younger sisters.

Naturally, there were some struggles in the beginning for the parents and the girls. Despite these minor adjustments, Magaline and Ivan talk openly about the adoption with the girls.

When they ask about their birth mother, Magaline and Ivan explain that she was not always able to take care of them and that God answered the prayers of Mommy and Daddy by bringing the girls to their home. Magaline tells them, "You don’t belong to my tummy, but you belong to my heart."

Magaline and Ivan tell couples who are considering adoption how wonderful it is to be parents, how wonderful it is to give children love and care.

For Magaline, the best part of having three daughters is going shopping together. The girls want to have clothes, jewelry and even lipstick, just like Mommy’s. The best part for Ivan is that he is king of a house, full of girls who love their Daddy.

Most of all, they both just love the sound of the girls calling them "Mommy and Daddy."

6-Nov-07 5:00 PM