WICHITA, Kan. – Catholic Charities invites the community to take part in our first ever Bags to Riches party on Wednesday, July 28 from 6-8 p.m. at WaterWalk located at 515 S. Main.  Come enjoy a fun-filled evening of entertainment, delicious appetizers, wine, beer, frozen drinks and an exclusive tour of the new WaterWalk lofts as you mingle with friends.  Bid on fabulous new and vintage designer purses, handbags and other accessories.  Designer bags include such names as Coach, Vera Bradley and Brighton as well as a large variety of other purses in all colors and sizes for almost any occasion.  Wallets, carry bags and other accessories will also be up for bid.  Enter the prize drawing for only five dollars on the day of the event for a special surprise item.

Bags to Riches exists to help women break the cycle of domestic violence at Catholic Charities Harbor House and stabilize families seeking refuge at St. Anthony Family Shelter. Harbor House is a shelter for abused women and their children. St. Anthony Family Shelter is a shelter for parents and their children to stay together as they cope with one of the worst possible situations – homelessness.  Shelter participants go through an intensive program to help them reach long term stabilization. Both facilities opened new shelters in 2006 helping make them some of the top programs in the state in their line of service. This Catholic Charities fundraiser is able to make a difference not only in the lives of those who stay at the shelter, but also in the lives of thousands of others who receive services from both programs outside of our doors through outreach and follow-up services.

Tickets for Catholic Charities Bags to Riches party are $30 per person. To purchase tickets please visit www.bagstoriches.eventbrite.com or call 316-264-8344. Tickets will be mailed after purchase and will also be available the day of the event at the door.  Free parking is available in the WaterWalk parking garage.

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About Catholic Charities

Established in 1943 as a social service outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Catholic Charities has served the community for more than 65 years. Since its beginning, Catholic Charities has helped people of all faiths and backgrounds, “demonstrating the Gospel values of love and justice through service, education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Catholic Charities works to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of its program – striving for quality, while being good stewards of our earthly resources. Catholic Charities has made an assertive effort to become more energy efficient and resource conscious. Learn more about this and other Catholic Charities efforts at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

About Fundraising

Each year, Catholic Charities must raise a portion of its budget through donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. In 2010, the goal is to raise $1.5 million. Catholic Charities’ Bags to Riches event is a part of this effort, raising money to help Harbor House serve women and children fleeing abuse and St. Anthony Family Shelter to stabilize homeless families. Learn more at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

Catholic Charities will benefit from the TOGETHER funded renovations.  Our administrative offices, counseling services and foster grandparent offices will be located on the renovated Cathedral campus.  TOGETHER will also fund the relocation and renovation of the Help Center.  Catholic Charities will be able to access the updated classroom space and conference room on the Cathedral campus.  These much needed renovations will help us to better serve the families and individuals who utilize these programs.

However, TOGETHER will not impact the daily operational budget of any of the programs within Catholic Charities.  The portion of the TOGETHER vision that includes the renovation of the Cathedral campus is a special appeal.  Gifts to the special appeal are extraordinary giving – above and beyond ordinary giving.

Operational support of Catholic Charities will still be needed to fund our programs.  As a result of the economic downturn and governmental changes, we have seen an increase in families and individuals needing assistance.  For example:

• Catholic Charities Help Center has already seen a 19 percent increase in the number of people served during the first quarter of this year.  This reality for Catholic Charities ties into national and local trends around the incredible growth of those living in poverty, even though they may still be employed. 
• Catholic Charities has also seen an increase in those in need serving people who were once – but are no longer – supported by America’s welfare safety net.

Please click here to learn more about the TOGETHER vision.

Mark E. Humphrey is currently on the Board of Directors for Invista, The Bill of Rights Institute and Wichita Wind Ensemble.  Humphrey has worked as the Senior Vice President of Tax at Koch Industries since 1995.  A family man, Humphrey is a member of Resurrection Catholic Church and is currently on the church finance committee.  Humphrey attended the University of Kansas where he received a B.A. and a J.D.  Humphrey received his Master’s of Law in 1987 from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Christina Ricke is a member and group leader at Kennedy and Coe LLC, where she has worked since 1995.  She holds a CPA certificate in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kansas and Colorado Societies of Certified Public Accountants.  Ricke graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1994 from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Accounting.  Ricke currently serves on the Advisory Council for Catholic Charities’ Harbor House.

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The amount raised nearly doubled what was raised at the event last year and far exceeds what has been raised at this event in years past. Guests enjoyed a great venue, delicious three-course meal, and silent and live auction.  

KAKE Channel 10’s Susan Peters, a long time friend of Pape, hosted the event. She was joined by Bishop Michael Jackels of the Diocese of Wichita to honor Pape and celebrate the work of St. Anthony Family Shelter. McCurdy Auction handled the live auction bidding raising over $8,000 for the cause.

“I would like to thank everyone who came to this year’s event to help us celebrate Janet’s retirement, but also to help support the work that we do to assist homeless families at Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter,” said Brenda Keeler, Senior Director of Development and Marketing for Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter provides food, shelter and support to homeless families in the community. In 2009, the shelter provided over 175 families made up of over 300 children a safe place to stay. The new facility, built in 2007, allows 24 percent more occupancy than the old shelter with room for 13 families at a time.

In addition to the basic necessities, families at the shelter receive three meals a day plus snacks, toiletries, medical services and referrals, instruction in parenting skills, drug and alcohol counseling classes, screenings and referrals, case management, and follow-up services if they so choose. Proceeds from the event go toward making these things possible.

Catholic Charities Harbor House Advisory Council members who planned the event:

Alice Johnson, Cozy Goebel, Cindy Schwan, Jim DeBroeck, Linda Rice, Linda Lauer, Dana Leivian, Vi Schuckman, Sandi Baalman, Sharon Bastian, Paula Duling, Earlene Condiff, David Warren, Scott Stremel, and Megan McDonald

Entertainment

Music provided was provided by the One Power Band from Unity Church in Wichita.

Prize Drawing

Three prizes were available as part of a prize drawing held throughout the evening. For a suggested donation guests could enter into a drawing for a South of the Border basket, a Tour of Wichita prize pack and a chance at a $500 VISA gift card from Catholic Family Federal Credit Union.

Sponsors

Catholic Diocese of Wichita served as presenting sponsor for the event. Other major sponsors include Via Christi Health, Eurest Dining Services and McCurdy Auction, LLC.

About Catholic Charities

Established in 1943 as a social service outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Catholic Charities has served the community for more than 65 years. Since its beginning, Catholic Charities has helped people of all faiths and backgrounds, “demonstrating the Gospel values of love and justice through service, education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Catholic Charities works to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of its program – striving for quality, while being good stewards of our earthly resources. Catholic Charities has made an assertive effort to become more energy efficient and resource conscious. Learn more about this and other Catholic Charities efforts at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

About Fundraising

Each year, Catholic Charities must raise a portion of its budget through donations from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. In 2010, the goal is to raise $1.5 million. Providing Families Hope to benefit Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter is a part of this effort, raising money to help families with children stabilize and not return to the shelter. Learn more at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

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WICHITA, Kan. – From now until September 31, Catholic Charities, Inc. Diocese of Wichita and The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is teaming up to benefit the Community CounselingProgram.  The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation has granted Catholic Charities $1,000 towards therapeutic toys for use in play therapy sessions with children.

 The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families and pets, who are in need of a helping paw.  With the sale of each Champ-A Champion Fur Kids- a special furry friend available in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores, one dollar is donated to children’s health and wellness causes.  Funds are available to qualified non-profit groups in the United States and Canada through the foundation’s grant process.  Visit www.buildabear.com or contact Matt Oldani, Foundation Bear, at matto@buildabear.com for more information. 

 Established in 1943 as a social service outreach of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, Catholic Charities has served the community for more than 65 years. Since its beginning, Catholic Charities has helped people of all faiths and backgrounds, “demonstrating the Gospel values of love and justice through service, education, advocacy, and collaboration.” Accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), Catholic Charities works to ensure efficiencies and effectiveness of its program – striving for quality, while being good stewards of our earthly resources. Catholic Charities has made an assertive effort to become more energy efficient and resource conscious. Learn more about this and other Catholic Charities efforts at www.catholiccharitieswichita.org.

 WICHITA, Kan. – From now until April 30, Catholic Charities will accept money and non-perishable food items to be counted toward the Feinstein Challenge.  The more money raised and food collected for St. Anthony Family Shelter and the Help Center Food Pantry, will result in a greater matching donation to the agency by the Feinstein Foundation

Catholic Charities St. Anthony Family Shelter, which feeds families residing in the shelter three meals each day, and the Help Center Food Pantry, providing adults and children with two to three days worth of non-perishable food each month will benefit from these donations.

 Only donations or pledges received from March 1st to April 30th will be counted toward the Feinstein Challenge. Donations may include cash, checks and food items (valued at $1.00 per item or pound). When you help provide food or money for the Catholic Charities Help Center and St. Anthony Family Shelter, your donation will go further in helping Catholic Charities to meet The Feinstein Challenge. For more information or to make a donation to Catholic Charities visit www.catholiccharitieswichita.org or call 264-8344.

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Catholic Charities gets new director

The Wichita Eagle

There was a time when Cynthia Colbert didn’t see any reason to leave Texas.

Lately, though, she’s been packing bags and getting ready to move to Wichita.

On April 1, Colbert begins as executive director of Catholic Charities of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.

She will replace Janet Valente Pape, who has been executive director for 18 years. Pape will retire May 1.

“I studied what Catholic Charities has been able to do in Wichita and I thought it was a great opportunity for me to share what I have learned in Austin,” Colbert said Sunday. “I’m looking forward to working with the board and volunteers and building on what Janet has done.”

Catholic Charities and the Diocese announced Colbert as the new director last week.

“She has a good history of engaging people in ministry with those who struggle at the edges of society,” said Monsignor Robert Hemberger in a news release. Hemberger is the vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita and Catholic Charities board member.

“We have always known there will be big shoes to fill when Janet Valente Pape retires,” Hemberger said. “We believe we have found the right person to fill them.”

Colbert, 51, received her master’s degree in social welfare planning from the University of California, Berkeley.

She has more than 20 years of nonprofit management, including working for United Ways in Santa Clara, Calif., and Austin.

She is currently the executive director of Catholic Charities in the Catholic Diocese of Austin.

“I have a long history of social services,” Colbert said. “It is my heart’s desire to make a difference in work through faith.”

The Catholic Diocese of Wichita has 90 parishes in 25 counties in the southeast region of the state. There are nearly 116,000 Catholics in the diocese.

Colbert will oversee the $9 million budget of the agency. She will do this at a time when Wichita is in a recession, facing high unemployment.

“I saw this as a great opportunity in helping serve the needs of the poor and vulnerable,” she said. “We will be making sure basic needs are met — in collaboration with other faith-based organizations. We will be looking at affordable housing because people need places to live. We will also be looking at jobs. In order to have strong families we have to have good wages and ongoing employment.”

Beyond those two issues, Colbert said she will look at addressing the needs of elderly people and immigrants.

“My first year, I will look, learn and listen,” she said. “I will be working with the board on developing a strategic plan and direction. My main job is to look at what has been done, listen to those around me and learn what the needs are.”

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/2010/03/22/1236074/catholic-charities-gets-new-director.html#ixzz0j7uW14h6 ]]> http://www.catholiccharitieswichita.org/index.php/uncategorized/catholic-charities-gets-new-director/feed/ 0 http://www.catholiccharitieswichita.org/index.php/uncategorized/catholic-charities-immigration-services-helps-four-immigrants-become-citizens/ http://www.catholiccharitieswichita.org/index.php/uncategorized/catholic-charities-immigration-services-helps-four-immigrants-become-citizens/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:59:24 +0000 brittany http://www.catholiccharitieswichita.org/?p=2535 On January 22, 2010, 166 people from 44 different countries were naturalized (received their citizenship) at Century II.  Fran Betzen Cook, new director of Help Center and Immigration Services, was in attendance to congratulate three clients who had participated in Citizenship classes through the Immigration program. The classes helped these three clients prepare for their citizenship exam.

The three clients were from Vietnam, Mexico and Venezuela, and had been working on becoming United States citizens for as long as six years.   One client registered to vote immediately following the Citizenship oath ceremony! 

Funding for the Citizenship classes was provided through the Knight Foundation.  Staff plan to continue to offer these classes, but will charge for this needed service until additional funding can be identified.

 The following is a program, initiative, or project, within and beyond the Wichita area, that serve as models to communities anywhere of how to advance intergenerational engagement.

Foster Grandparent Program Wichita, Kansas For more than three decades, the Foster Grandparent Program has been providing opportunities for older adults in Wichita to serve youth with special needs. The program, operated by Catholic Charities, places foster grandparents in volunteer stations such as schools, shelters, daycare centers and hospitals where they provide one-on-one attention to children reading or exercising, tutoring, or even just talking and listening. The program provides nurturing support for youth to help with their physical, psychological, educational and social development, and instills an appreciation for the wisdom and caring support of older adults. For foster grandparents, they are left with the satisfaction of making a positive contribution to the community, along with a number of other benefits such as training sessions, transportation assistance, and meals. Each year, foster grandparents provide more than 100,000 hours of service to youth in the Wichita community, and the program is sure to have continued success in the future.