Voice of Charity

Drug abuse costs the United States hundreds of billions of dollars each year in health care, crime and lost productivity. In 2009, there were nearly 4.6 million drug-related emergency room visits nationwide. In Illinois, there were more than 37,000 DUI arrests recorded by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office in 2012. Catholic Charities has long helped persons suffering from addiction in our counseling, emergency assistance and other programs. Two of these programs, “CSI” and “ACES,” focus exclusively on substance abuse and helping those impacted by it to build better lives. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about these unique programs are Kevin Doyle, Director, Central States Institute (CSI) and Pat Bogie, Program Director, Addiction Counseling and Education Services (ACES).

Though we are now entering the warm days of summer, recent headlines across the country tell of the challenge low income families face in paying off energy bills from this past winter. The growing gap between energy costs and the funding available for the poor to help pay them means that many families are faced with discontinuation of home energy. Even if a shut-off is avoided, families often must deal with large back payments that can lead to eviction and homelessness. Sandy Murray, Director, Homelessness Prevention Call Center and Christene Dykes-Sorrells, Director, Emergency Assistance Program join Monsignor Boland to discuss how Catholic Charities is helping families who face high utility bills.

Every summer, Catholic Charities distributes tens of thousands of healthy meals to hungry children around the city. Many schoolchildren participate in breakfast and lunch feeding programs. With school out, these children are at risk of not fulfilling their daily nutrition requirements, so Catholic Charities has developed a highly mobile approach to feeding these children where they are: in parks, at summer school, church programs and other community-based sites. Along with delivering healthy meals, Catholic Charities provides nutrition education and fitness activities in an effort to foster healthy eating and activity habits throughout the year. A recent study found that 29%, of sixth grade students and 25% of ninth grade students in CPS schools are obese. Statistics like this have spurred the development of programs to address this problem. Catholic Charities has collected its own statistics, which is using to improve its program each year to address specific problems. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Diane Nunley, Associate Vice President in Catholic Charities Community Development and Outreach Services, and Tallet Vanek, a nutritionist who develops and analyzes our nutrition education programs.

Seniors are special to all of us at Catholic Charities. Our Senior Services area is one of our largest. Nearly 50% of our agency staff works in our Senior Services programs. In FY2013 Catholic Charities helped care for over 240,000 seniors, with a wide range of services. These include homemaking that allows seniors to remain in their homes, affordable senior apartment buildings, supportive living and skilled care for seniors who cannot live on their own, nutrition programs and case management. One very special program is our FREE Keenager News newspaper, which is mailed out to over 95,000 seniors each month. To honor our seniors, every year Catholic Charities hosts the Senior Unity Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. Over 300 seniors attended the Mass last year and we hope to greet even more this year. Today Mary Ellen Kastenholz, a Board Member and volunteer, talks with Monsignor Boland about this year’s Senior Unity Mass and her frequent contributions to Keenager News.

For over a decade, the hungry and homeless can get a hot meal Monday through Friday at Catholic Charities St. Vincent Center. In 2003, we began a program called “Visions of My Life” where our supper guests are given the opportunity to showcase their photographic talents by using disposable cameras to capture scenes from their lives. The “Visions” program is staffed entirely by volunteers who meet one on one with the supper guests to review and select photos that will be displayed at an annual gallery show each June. Prints sell for $100 each and the photographers keep $70. The balance is used to pay for materials; cameras, matting and frames. Because the clients earn money for their work, Visions is seen as a “social enterprise” program. This year’s Visions event will take place over two days: June 6th and June 7, at Catholic Charities headquarters at 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago. The show is FREE and family-friendly. Monsignor Boland is joined by Kathy Donahue, Senior Vice President of Programs, and Noreen Russo, Program Director of our Homelessness Prevention Call Center, to talk about Visions , what it means to both the supper guests and volunteers who are involved, and how it is developing as a social enterprise project.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that in 2012 9.6 million adults (4.1% of all persons 18 and older) had suffered a “Serious Mental Illness” (SMI) in the past year. An SMI is defined as a mental, behavioral or emotional condition that causes serious functional impairment by substantially interfering with one or more major life activity. For 65 years, the nonprofit group, Mental Health America, has led the observance of May as Mental Health Month. The 2014 May is Mental Health Month theme is “Mind Your Health,” with the goal of raising the public’s awareness of the importance of mental health to overall health and wellness. Catholic Charities offers several types of mental health counseling programs, reaching a broad range of people from children to seniors. Today, Tim Higgins, Program Director at Catholic Charities Holbrook Counseling Center and Cheryl Joseph-Lukz, a therapist with Holbrook will talk with Monsignor Boland about the mind-body connection and counseling services provided by the Holbrook Center.

Technology is a vital part of our society today. Even senior citizens are getting in on the action. Nationally nearly 52% of senior citizens are online, spending on average 19 hours a week on the internet. Also, 59% of seniors are on some kind of social networking website, the most popular being Facebook. While these statistics are impressive, they still leave nearly half of seniors outside the digital world, which is rapidly becoming the only way to communicate and participate in many important arenas, such as filing taxes. Catholic Charities senior centers use technology in a variety of ways to connect seniors to family, friends and other supports. Some of the centers are fully equipped with computer rooms for the seniors to use. They are utilizing technology for education, entertainment, and even physical fitness. Joining Monsignor today is Mary Ann Bibat, Vice President of Senior Services and Angela Taylor, Associate Vice President.

Catholic Charities serves more than 230,000 Latino individuals and families across our program areas. Many are originally from Mexico, and may have arrived recently in the U.S. Our Casa Catalina Emergency Services Center is located in the Back of the Yards community on Chicago’s South Side which is an entry point for many Latinos. Joining Monsignor today to talk about trends in poverty for this population are Sister Joellen Tumas, Director of Casa Catalina Emergency Service Center, and Maria Vidal De Haymes, PhD, professor of social work at Loyola University, member of Catholic Charities Latino Advisory Committee, and advisor to Mexican college students who come to Chicago each year to volunteer in Catholic Charities programs.

Divine Mercy Sunday this year it is truly exciting with all the preparations and celebrations in honor of two great Popes, John the XXIII and John Paul II who will be canonized as saints on that day. Catholic Charities will participate in the canonization festivities by doing what we do every day, helping those in need. We will have extra suppers for the hungry, where donated food is served by volunteers, across Cook and Lake counties. Joining Monsignor Boland today is Father Gerry Kelly, a Vincentian who has served as Catholic Charities chaplain for many years. Fr. Kelly taught history to seminary high school students, and continues to educate the staff at Catholic Charities with his thoughtful homilies rich with historic references, and the monthly “Mission Reflections” emails that are sent to all staff. He met Pope John Paul II twice, and once read the Gospel at Mass with the Pope where John Paul sat not ten feet away.

With the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, veterans issues are frequently in the headlines. There are more than 21 million veterans living in the U.S. and between 529,000 and 840,000 are homeless at some time during the year. Veterans are more at risk of becoming homeless than non-veterans. Approximately one-third of homeless males in the U.S. are veterans. Catholic Charities was on the forefront of serving homeless veterans when it opened St. Leo Campus on Chicago’s South Side in 2007. St. Leo’s provides affordable studio apartments for 141 formerly homeless veterans, along with social services, community involvement, access to medical care, specialized housing for persons with physical disabilities and an expansive meditation garden dedicated to all branches of the military. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Dr. Eddie Taylor, Director of St. Leo Campus for Veterans, and Elijah Goodlet, a veteran who continues to volunteer at the shelter where he lived prior to coming to St. Leo Residence.

Nationwide, nearly 63 million people volunteered for or through an organization at least once between September 2012 and September 2013. At Catholic Charities, 15,000 people volunteered their assistance to our programs during that time. Volunteers are critical members of our team. They help us extend the reach of our programs, particularly in community-based settings where demand is high and staff members are stretched. Volunteers also help us innovate, by getting new initiatives off the ground. Finally, volunteering gives back to the volunteer, who often gains new insights and appreciation for those in need. Joining us today are Lisa Jerzyk, Director of Volunteer Relations, and Bill Mastro, a member of Catholic Charities Board of Advisors and a volunteer with Catholic Charities Mobile Outreach Program.

According to the Legal Service Corporation, in 2011, 60 million Americans qualified for legal assistance. But because need outstrips resources, many legal aid offices turn away 50% or more of those seeking help. The Wall Street Journal reports that it costs an average of $150 an hour to pay for a lawyer. Expense is likely a factor in the growing trend of people representing themselves in court, a practice known as “pro se.” A recent American Bar Association survey of judges found that 62% said people are hurt by not having a lawyer. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Hilda Bahena, Department Director of Catholic Charities Legal Assistance Department and Jeanne Casey, Volunteer Attorney and Board Member to discuss the issues of legal assistance and why more people are turning to Catholic Charities for help.

Services for seniors are more critical now than ever. Between 8,000 and 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day and will continue to do so until 2030, when 20 percent of the U.S. population will be at least 65. In that same period, the number of 85 year olds will increase more than 50 percent and the number of 100 years olds is expected to triple! As one of the top providers of services to seniors in the Chicago area, Catholic Charities is continually adapting our services to meet changing needs. Our senior case management service is a vital support to thousands of seniors who want to “age in place,” by staying in their homes and communities. Most seniors want to stay in their homes, and doing so is much more cost-effective than moving them to assisted living. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Wyvonnia Walker, Program Director for Catholic Charities Senior Case Management, and Anne Posner, Associate Vice President, Senior Services at Catholic Charities.

Our core mission at Catholic Charities is to reduce poverty and help people become as self-sufficient as possible. One interesting “anti-poverty” strategy that we began employing in the past few years is “Asset Building” which helps people move toward greater self-sufficiency by accumulating savings and purchasing long-term assets. Saving is not something that comes naturally to everyone. A 2012 article on the CNN Money website stated that 25% of Americans have no savings at all. With our struggling economy, saving has become even harder for stressed workers who may not feel secure about their jobs or job prospects, or who may not have had a raise in a long time. Monsignor Boland is joined by Sister Marie McKenna who directs Catholic Charities Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which includes the Assets for Independence that helps eligible employees save for their goals.

The Meals on Wheels Association reports that one in six seniors in America, a total of 8.8 million seniors—a number greater than the entire population of New York City—struggle with hunger and this number is expected to double by 2050. The Association cites the rapid increase in life expectancy for seniors, escalating costs of food and transportation, and remaining impacts of the recession as major factors in this trend. Maintaining support for senior nutrition programs is critical for the health of our elderly population. March is an active month for the “Meals on Wheels” program, a nation-wide effort that delivers nutritious meals to seniors in their homes. “March for Meals” has become an annual event where localities raise awareness of senior hunger during the month of March, including getting elected officials to sign up as volunteer drivers/delivery people---an activity known as “Mayors for Meals.” Joining Monsignor Boland today are Donna Schultz, Director of Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition Program and Anne Posner, Associate Vice President of Catholic Charities Senior Services, to discuss the overall issue of senior hunger and some of the ways Catholic Charities addresses this national problem.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in our nation, and at least 90% of those who die by suicide were suffering from a mental illness, most often depression. Nearly 35 years ago, Catholic Charities began groundbreaking work by counseling the survivors of suicide; those family members and friends left behind when someone made the tragic decision to end their life. Our Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program has helped thousands of people over the years. Our model of individual counseling by trained professionals and support groups facilitated by survivors has been recognized internationally. Today, Monsignor Boland is joined by Jessica Mead to discuss the LOSS program, and its upcoming fundraiser, Blossoms of Hope.

Though the nation’s unemployment rate has dropped since the height of the recession, Illinois still has one of the highest unemployment rates for adults. For youth, the rate is even higher, as they face competition for low-wage jobs by adults who are underemployed. Many jobs also do not pay enough to keep families out of poverty. Catholic Charities operates employment programs as well as “safety net” services such as food pantries, shelters, and affordable housing which many families need to make ends meet. Today, Monsignor Boland is joined by Bertel Smith, who heads up Catholic Charities Veterans Employment Program, and Karen Moore, who oversees youth employment programs, to discuss the complex challenge presented by unemployment.

In January in Chicago, we typically have 13 or fewer days with significant sun. This can lead to a state of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or its milder form, the “winter blues.” The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 1 in 5 people in the U.S. can be affected by SAD each year. This is one reason that January is designated as “Mental Wellness Month.” Catholic Charities has several programs that support mental health. Monsignor Boland is joined today by two of Catholic Charities mental health experts and counselors, Deborah Major, Ph.D., and Bob Arvidson, LCPC, to discuss mental wellness in winter.

This past December there was a flurry of media attention on the cost of eating a healthy diet. Time magazine, in an article, “Eating Healthy is Cheaper Than You Think,” reported on the Harvard School of Public Health’s finding that it costs only $1.50 more per day to eat more fruits, veggies and high quality meat and fish. However, for persons with very low income, $1.50 adds up to $550 per person per year. While encouraging for the general public, many of those served by Catholic Charities may not be able to afford healthier foods. Katie Bambacht and Atinuke Isola, nutritionists from Catholic Charities, join Monsignor Boland to discuss how our programs help people eat well on a budget.

With foreclosures and unemployment still affecting Chicago-area families, suburban homelessness presents a growing challenge for many communities. Today Rev. Monsignor Michael Boland talks with Margaret Onekmope and Tefamariam Kefle, directors from Catholic Charities New Hope Apartments programs serving suburban Cook County, about how we help families move to self-sufficiency in a tough economy.

Recent budget cuts to the Food Stamp program, now known as the “SNAP” or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, will impact many Catholic Charities clients. We already see so many people struggling to make ends meet at Catholic Charities—everyone from single adults to families to seniors is trying to stretch their limited resources. Catholic Charities offers a wide range of programs that provide nutritious food to millions of people annually. Today, Monsignor Boland is joined by Angel Gutierrez, Vice President of Community Development and Outreach Services, and Stephanie Johnson, Director of Government Relations to discuss how Catholic Charities helps individuals and families facing food insecurity.

2013 was marked by many social ills that continue to plague the Chicago area, particularly those living in or near poverty. As we have every year since 1917, Catholic Charities has worked tirelessly address these ills, seeking better and better “antidotes.” Every time you read a headline or see a story on the news about issues plaguing our communities, Catholic Charities is in those neighborhoods working side by side with the community to improve the lives of those who live there. Monsignor Boland looks at three major problems that were in the news a lot this year: Violence, Homelessness and Food Deserts, and how Catholic Charities has responded.

At Catholic Charities, we empower families to develop stability and self-reliance by enhancing their education, health, safety and connections to their community. One way we do this is by offering high-quality child care services to children and their families. Joining me today is Laura Rios, Vice President of our Child, Youth and Family Services area to tell us more about our child development centers.

At Catholic Charities offers high-quality mental health counseling to children and their families so they can strengthen their understanding and ability to weather emotional storms. Joining me today is Laura Rios, Vice President of our Child, Youth and Family Services area, and Hector Rivera, Supervising Therapist, to tell us more about this important service.

Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department (EAD) provides a full array of concrete services including food and clothing for persons in crisis as well as those who are struggling to survive on very low incomes. The department also connects clients with shelter, emergency financial assistance, referral, advocacy, short-term case management and benefits screening at many locations in the City and Suburbs. Christine Dykes-Sorrells, Director of the Emergency Assistance Program at Catholic Charities, joins Monsignor Boland to discuss the history and current activities of EAD.

Refugees face many challenges upon arrival in their new home countries, including how to feel part of the community. Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Services, with funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, has created a new support for refugee women called LOOM. LOOM is a social enterprise project where the women work together creating wearable art which they then sell to help support their families. Most of all, LOOM provides a place where the women can connect despite differences in culture and language. Sarah Aulie of Catholic Charities and Lori Felix of the Archdiocese’s Office of Peace and Justice join Monsignor Boland for a lively and enlightening discussion.

The Southwest Region of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago stretches from Evergreen Park and the Beverly neighborhood in the East to Lemont in the West and from Bedford Park South to Orland Hills. Catholic Charities provides comprehensive services to the needy and disadvantaged in the area, including: emergency food and utility assistance, counseling, employment services, supplement, and housing. Teresa Rodríguez, Southwest Regional Director and Don Larson St. Blase Food Pantry Volunteer, join Monsignor Boland to discuss the many activities of Catholic Charities in the Southwest Region.

The Catholic Charities Hospital Transition Program focuses on helping seniors self-manage their conditions, take an active role in their health care, and communicate more effectively with their physicians; with the goal of preventing re-admission to a hospital. Catholic Charities’ Hospital Transition Coaches work with patients in the hospital and home. Joining Monsignor Boland is Anne Posner, Associate Vice President of Care Coordination to discuss this new and promising program.

For 66 years, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers have worked to fulfill the Church’s mission of charity through our Annual Christmas “Celebration of Giving”. Starting now through November, the agency collects new, unwrapped gifts for pregnant teens in our Arts of Living Program or new moms receiving maternity services, homeless children in our shelters; or families struggling to survive day to day. Though Christmas seems like a long way off, we are seeking donations now for this special program that touches so many lives. Joining Monsignor today is Lisa Jerzyk, Director of Volunteer Relations at Catholic Charities, to talk about this heartwarming initiative and how listeners can help.

Catholic Charities, in collaboration with Mujeres Latinas and Taller de Jose, provides comprehensive specialized legal services to immigrants who are also victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. Carlos Rinconeno of the Immigrant Survivors Project at Catholic Charities joins Monsignor Boland to discuss this compelling and complex work.

Gaining legal status as immigrant and becoming a US citizen are issues that concern millions of people across the country. For many years, Catholic Charities has provided and supported people in gaining legal status in the U.S. and becoming U.S. citizens. Nancy Gavilanes, Program Director of Immigration and Naturalization Services joins Monsignor Boland to discuss the ways Catholic Charities assists immigrants.

Cooke's Manor is a recovery home for veterans operated by Catholic Charities on the Hines VA campus. Today Monsignor Boland speaks with Gloria Wright and Danita Pines about their work at this unique program.

CSI and ACES are two of the programs Catholic Charities runs to help persons struggling with substance abuse. Today Monsignor Boland speaks with Kevin Doyle and Patricia Bogie about their work.

Catholic Charities Congregate Meal program serves hot, tasty, noon-time meals at senior centers or other programs. Congregate meals help seniors maintain good nutrition and provide socialization for many who might otherwise eat alone in their homes. Today, Monsignor Boland talks with Donna Schultz, Food Service Manager and Rob Boyd, Senior Center Director, about the program.

Nearly 35 years ago, Catholic Charities began groundbreaking work by counseling the survivors of suicide; those family members and friends left behind when someone made the tragic decision to end their life. Our Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) program has helped thousands of people over the years. Our model of individual counseling by trained professionals and support groups facilitated by survivors has been recognized internationally. A few years ago, we started a new chapter in LOSS’s history by launching a program for children and youth impacted by suicide. Today, Monsignor Boland is joined by Jessica Mead and Cynthia Waderlow who will tell us more the child and youth program and an upcoming fundraiser that supports it.

Today’s youth face many challenges from a fast-paced society full of questionable influences. Parents are busy making a living and may not be able to give their children all the attention they would like. Catholic Charities in Lake County has realized a need in that community and is starting a Youth Mentoring Program that will pair adult volunteers with children ages 9 to 12. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Sarah Loffman and Beth Sheehan-Lucas of Catholic Charities’ Child, Youth and Family Services. Together, these women are launching this new program.

20 years ago, Catholic Charities created a new model for delivering federally-funded nutrition services to pregnant or nursing mothers and their young children. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides nutritious foods like milk, whole grain cereals, and fresh fruits and vegetables to thousands of families in Cook County. Catholic Charities’ model includes food centers where participants “shop” for healthy foods while their children play in supervised onsite daycare. Participants can also access other services at the sites, such as vision screenings, and assistance with childhood immunizations. Catholic Charities’ WIC centers are hubs of support in the low-income communities where they are located. Associate Vice President Diane Nunley joins Monsignor Boland to discuss the WIC program and its impact.

One of the many ways Catholic Charities attacks the problem of hunger in Chicagoland is through its Summer Lunch Program, which serves thousands of children during the months they are out of school. The program provides “more than a meal,” by offering activities and consistency to children whose lives are often disrupted by the challenges of poverty. Mike Hyzy, Project Director and Business Specialist with Catholic Charities joins Monsignor Boland for an insightful discussion.

Keenager News is a 12-page, free newspaper published by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The paper brings news, entertainment, reflection and humor to nearly 100,000 seniors each month. Now in its 44th year, Keenager News is mailed directly to seniors’ homes. For more information, please call: (312) 655-7425 or visit: www.keenagernews.org.

Catholic Charities’ Senior Unity Mass is an annual celebration of seniors held at Holy Name Cathedral. Over 300 seniors gather to worship together, and then enjoy fellowship over a box lunch. Board of Advisors members Mary Ellen Kastenholz and Jeanne Hardy are volunteering to help with this year’s Unity Mass.

“A Day at the Races” benefit for Catholic Charities North Region Office, Emergency Services. Volunteer Nancy Morrison who is a member of the North Region Advisory Board discusses volunteerism and the upcoming benefit which will help the North Region provide food and other emergency services to a growing population of suburban poor.

Monsignor Boland speaks to Sharon Tilmon, Assistant Director, Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department, about the St. Sabina emergency assistance center in Englewood and the upcoming Hunger Walk, which benefits a number of Catholic Charities food pantries.

Bishop Conway Residence is a “Supportive Living” facility that offers seniors an affordable place to live safely and socially when they can no longer live independently. Gaby Saldana, director of Bishop Conway Residence, talks with Monsignor Boland about the program.

This week, Monsignor Boland speaks with Jody O’Connell, Maureen Kelly and Ellen Gorney who volunteer with Catholic Charities’ After Supper Visions photography project. The women devote hours each week to helping our supper guests realize their creative potential through photography. The After Supper Visions gallery show will be held on June 7 and 8th.

Mgsr. Mike Boland has Mike Ward, board member and member of The Government Relations Committee, talking about our advocacy efforsts in the legislature in Springfield.

Msgr. Mike Boland speaks with Kate Mulvaney, Regional Director for the City of Chicago and Director of Health Initiatives about the upcoming community health fairs.

This week, Monsignor Boland speaks with Norman Carlson, Catholic Charities’ Board of Advisors Member and Co-Chair of our Veterans In Need event, which benefits Catholic Charities veteran’s programs.

This week, Monsignor Boland speaks with Bobbie Magurany, Director of Holy Family Villa and John Parisi, co-chair of the Bishop Lyne Celebration Dinner about this event and its beneficiary, Holy Family Villa.

This week, Monsignor Boland speaks with Reverend Gerard Kelly, Associate Administrator and Chaplain of Catholic Charities about the selection process of the new Pope in Rome.

This week, Monsignor Boland speaks with Rev. John Moulder, Director of the Chi Town Jazz Festival about this wonderful upcoming benefit, whose proceeds go to help feed the hungry in Chicago.