American Province Ministry Connections February 2021

Casa Cornelia Law Center    Carmen M. Chavez, Esq. - Executive Director http://www.casacornelia.org/

At Casa Cornelia, we are starting the New Year with a renewed sense of hope, given recent successful client outcomes and exciting changes to our Board of Directors. Although 2020 was a complex and difficult year for victims of human rights violations, our staff persevered and remained focused on meeting the needs of those we serve.

Gloria Bader (left) with VIT Project Assistant Alice Bendinelli at the 12th Annual La Mancha Awards

Among the many transformational changes, 15 clients (and counting!) served through Casa Cornelia’s Children's Program received their green cards after enduring abuse, abandonment, or neglect. These individuals, some of whom are now young adults, can finally start to settle into their lives, now able to grow up with a new-found sense of security and stability in the United States. As in the past, we are confident that this most recent good news will be a predecessor for many more new beginnings. We know all too well, sadly so, that vulnerable, victimized children, as well as adults, will continue to come to our doors. The Good News is that the Gospel story is alive and well at Casa Cornelia, and we shall continue to serve all who are in need of our assistance. And to lead us forward in our mission, Casa Cornelia is delighted to welcome Dr. Gloria Bader as our newest Board Chair.  For the past 25 years, Dr. Bader has helped to build Casa Cornelia, and as a result of her commitment, along with others, we are a strong, vital, and vibrant presence in the community. As a result of her years of dedicated service, Dr. Bader knows intimately Casa Cornelia’s mission. She is more than well-positioned to assume this leadership role, and we are committed to helping her in every way possible. We invite you to read Dr. Bader’s reflection on her vision for Casa Cornelia's future, as she looks back to the Law Center’s early days.

South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (SC LAMP) Diana Pinto - Executive Director http://www.southcentrallamp.org/

As we approach a year of sheltering at home, daily we are reminded of the pandemic’s challenging effects. The loss of sharing life with loved ones is, perhaps, the most demanding. Words defy us, never having had this kind of experience.

This poignant issue was the primary topic of our COVID 101 workshop with the mothers we serve and with the mothers in our Family Literacy program. Detachment and isolation define our days, with few or no outlets to share our struggles. Our workshop was amazing, unbelievably so, and gave the mothers a much-needed space to talk, cry, give advice, feel heard, and, most significantly, to be understood. The mothers left our workshop feeling incredibly better, filled with a hope that has seemed to evade them, even though each had been through challenging times in the past.  Because all enjoyed this workshop, they asked us to hold more in the weeks and months ahead. We have created a series precisely for this expressed need, recently having held the third workshop. During this time, TLC reigned, thanks to a group of caring donors, including Mayfield Senior School Alumnae. “Goody bags” included hand sanitizer, chocolates, and a $50.00 Target gift card for each mother.  Thanks to the workshop and our supportive donors, our mothers have realized, once again, that they are never alone. They are surrounded by loving and caring people and generous donors. All have who have kept us strong for two decades.

Sponsored Ministries of the Society of Holy Child Jesus  Casa Cornelia Law Center * Providence Center Co-Sponsored Ministries of the Society of Holy Child Jesus South Central Los Angeles Ministry Project (LAMP) *  Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep * Hope Partnership for Education *  Cristo Rey New York High School * Washington School for Girls    ~ ~ ~   Ministry Connections is a monthly publication highlighting ministries sponsored or co-sponsored by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus.