Dear friends,
During these challenging times, we hope this letter brings you a sense of peace and hope. In this edition:
- A message of gratitude from Rebecca Kendall
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How to reach inRESPONSE
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Tools that lead to a brighter future- ITIN Story
- The Heart Behind Caritas Village
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Your generosity is cherished...
As we enter the second week of Lent, we are keenly aware of the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Too, we know that there are families much closer to home who live in daily fear and chaos.
What can we do?
Like you, I struggle to know how to respond.
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I often turn to my favorite author, Henri Nouwen, for wisdom in times of suffering. Nouwen reminds me,
"In this crazy world, there's an enormous distinction between good times and bad, between sorrow and joy. But in the eyes of God, they're never separated. Where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing.
Where there is poverty, there is the kingdom."
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Looking for joy and healing amidst the darkness has become an important Lenten practice for me. Like you, I hope to do my own small part to add to the beauty, to help build God's kingdom here and now.
Your compassion is a beacon of hope for everyone around you. For me, your unwavering generosity is a constant source of hope.
During even the most trying times, the simplest acts can make the difference in someone’s life who is in pain. Please know – your love is making a difference every day.
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As Catholic Charities’ Chief Development Officer, I have the proud honor of stewarding your support.
I am always here for you – please do not hesitate to reach out at any time.
With love for all,
Rebecca Kendall | Chief Development Officer
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Inspirational Moment: Meet Sister Lucía Caram, an Argentinian nun living in Spain who drove 4,000 miles in a weekend to save Ukrainian refugees. To read, click here
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Crisis Support: How you can contact inRESPONSE
One in five Americans will experience a mental crisis this year. Often, the shortage of mental health services has required law enforcement to be the first responder in a crisis...but not anymore.
We at Catholic Charities are proud to be a part of this innovative multi-disciplinary team that responds to calls for service with a mental health first approach.
The inRESPONSE Team includes a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, a Catholic Charities homeless outreach specialist, and a bilingual, wrap-around support services provider, and will respond to non-violent mental health-related calls for service and homeless-related complaints.
For detailed information on how to contact inRESPONSE, click here
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To see inRESPONSE in action, click the video image above! |
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ITIN Services at Catholic Charities
José* approached Catholic Charities during the peak of the recent Omicron Surge in desperate need of support. He had been defrauded out of hundreds of dollars by an unscrupulous attorney allegedly helping immigrants with documentation. His confidence shattered, José sought to obtain an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) so he could build his son's future in the U.S.
José works tirelessly as a farmworker in North Sonoma County, providing for his wife and son as well as our entire community. His son's future was on his mind so he hoped to build tools to save for the years ahead. The ITIN is the foundation for numerous of these tools. He was referred to Catholic Charities by the Sonoma County Secure Families Initiative to receive our free ITIN services.
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Like many in the immigrant community, José had extensive questions about the tricky process and what it meant for his family’s security. Would his information be shared with immigration enforcement? Would this change his work status? Elsewhere, these services to navigate the complex application processes can be costly and, as José experienced, untrustworthy.
Catholic Charities team member Brayan was able to comfort José and make great strides forward to help his entire family. José will continue to work with Catholic Charities to nurture these new financial wellbeing tools – all at absolutely no cost to him, thanks to generous support from our community.
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What is ITIN? Check out this helpful FAQ: click here
*José's name and appearance have been modified to respect confidentiality.
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The Heart Behind Caritas Village
The Catholic Charities Homelessness and Housing Solutions Team is a family of trained, passionate specialists serving our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness. For years, they have delivered services out of the aging Family Support Center and Homeless Services Center in downtown Santa Rosa.
These dedicated pros have made countless miracles possible in buildings never designed to do this work. We are proud of all they have accomplished.
For the first time, this team of leaders gathered inside the under-construction Caritas Center site where they will soon make even more dreams come true. This was a touching moment for them to see their future workspace come that will come to life in just a few short months. Stay tuned for exciting updates about the grand opening very soon! |
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