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.

WICHITA, Kan. – Catholic Charities Cruise Night, a benefit for Harbor House, is scheduled to sail on Sunday, February 28 at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. On the Harbor House Riverboat, guests will visit the exciting stops of Minneapolis, Minnesota; La Crosse, Wisconsin; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Florists and chefs from across Wichita will set the scene for the stops and create tantalizing cuisine. Guests will check in on the main floor of the Hyatt Regency Wichita and then come on board to the Promenade level (second floor) to enjoy the fine dining and decorations of the different ports. The captain and host is Rene Steven from Spangles who will lead the auction and set the pace for the evening.

Cruise Night exists to help women break the cycle of domestic violence at Catholic Charities Harbor House. Harbor House is a shelter for abused women and their children. Since opening in 1992, Harbor House has helped more than 5,000 victims of domestic violence through shelter and outreach advocate services. The new shelter facility was opened in 2006, making Harbor House the largest domestic violence shelter in the state. This Catholic Charities program 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 outreach and prevention services.

Tickets for Catholic Charities Harbor House Cruise Night are $100 per person. A limited number of reserved tables are available for $1,250, which includes two bottles of wine, guaranteed seating in the live auction room and premium drink service to your table. To purchase tickets please visit www.cruisenight.eventbrite.com . Tickets will be mailed after purchase.

Here is what you can look forward to at Cruise Night:

Sights:

Designers Robin Gilman, from Flowergirl Designs, Kay Hallacy from Cottage Garden Floral and Gifts, Rebecca Malone from Jennifer’s Flowers, Jennifer Bernard from Tillie’s Flower Shop, and J.R. Koontz from J.R. Koontz Flowers will create the atmosphere for each destination.   

Savors:
Chef Jason-Paul Febres from Sabor, Chef David Wirebaugh from Hyatt Regency Wichita, Chef Scott Bisarek from Eurest Dining Services, Chef Peter Moretti from The Wichita Marriott, and Chef Bill Rowe from Blue Moon Catering, will be providing gourmet food from the five spots along the Mississippi River. Appetizers will be provided by Corporate Caterers and Pig In Pig Out BBQ and a coffee bar will be set up by Scooter’s Coffeehouse. A chocolate fountain by Chocolate Cascades, cookies and various other desserts provided by local vendors will also be available to sweeten the palate.  

Live and Silent Auctions

Guests may peruse the event’s silent and live auctions items, selecting and bidding on items such as, fine jewelry, a Rudd Vineyard wine trip, various dinners with local celebrities or chefs and a family trip to Orlando. The silent auction will open at 5 p.m. and close prior to the start of the live auction. Auctioneers from McCurdy Auction will get the live auction bidding started at 7:30 p.m.

 Signature Drink

Guests will have the opportunity to purchase a Cruise Night exclusive Hurricane drink glass for a chance to win a special jewelry set from Saint by Sarah Jane. The prize is valued at $1,485. Glasses can be purchased for $25 and the winner will be announced prior to the start of the live auction.

Sponsors

The sponsors hosting the event at Admiral Level are Entercom Communication Corp. (KEYN 103.7-FM, the BUZZ 105.3-FM, and KNSS News Radio 1330-AM,), Armstrong|Shank Advertising, and the Hyatt Regency Wichita. Other sponsors include Fugate Enterprises, Spangles and Grant Thornton at Captain Level and, IMA of Kansas, Bonefish Grill, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines, PrintMaster, McCurdy Auction, and Cornejo Construction are First Mate Level sponsors.

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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 Cruise Night is a part of this effort, raising money to help Harbor House serve women and children fleeing abuse. Click HERE for more information!

Census 2010 partners with Catholic Charities 

To see a video of Census 2010 partnership with Catholic Charites, click here!