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W RKSCHARITY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

SUMMER 2017

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TEAM SAMARITAN HOUSE RIDES FOR HOMELESS PG. 9

SAM S sUPPER’

— THE MEAL THAT SERVES MANY —

Samaritan House has been serving men, women and children facing homelessness since 1986, with the ultimate goal of helping people find a path to self-sufficiency.

JOIN US FOR

Matt M

iller &

the Lites

Sam’s Art Walk

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.MILE HIGH STATION

2027 Old West Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80204

We invite you to a profound evening of storytelling, music and a great meal.All proceeds benefit Samaritan House.

HONORINGTHE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER

WITH THE “HE COMES TO SERVE” AWARD

accepted by Mayor Michael B. Hancock

MASTER OF CEREMONYMIKE MALLOY

Executive Director of Samaritan House

FEATURINGMATT MILLER & THE LITES

Back by popular demand

SAM’S ART WALKSilent Auction

Buy your ticket today!

SamsSupper.org

Mayor H

ancock

Mike M

alloy

Chef finds new start at shelterTommy worked his way from

resident to one of the head chefs

at Samaritan House. He shares his story.

See PG. 12

W RKSCHARITY

4 6 8PG. PG. PG.

LARRY’S LETTERHelping others: the ride of your life

CHARITIES

TEAM TALKNews from the Vice Presidents and Directors of Charities

GIVERS AND RECEIVERSHands-on charity rewarding for volunteer

CHARITY WORKS | SUMMER 2017 PG. 3

LARRY’S LETTER PG. 4

From the desk of the CEO

CHARITIES ON THE MAP PG. 5

News from every region

CHARITIES TEAM TALK PG. 6

News from the Vice Presidents and Directors of Charities

GIVERS AND RECEIVERS PG. 8

Hands-on charity rewarding for volunteer

SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS

SENIOR SERVICES: Veteran finds support to live independently PG. 10

SHELTER AND HOUSING: Chef finds new start at shelter PG. 12

MAJOR IMPACT PG. 14

How Catholic Charities has changed the community

GETTING SOCIAL PG. 15

Highlights of the top social media posts online

Catholic Charities of Denver provides for the needs of the community along the Front Range in seven areas including Family, Kinship and Senior Services; Archdiocesan Housing, Inc.; Early Childhood Education; Marisol Services; Parish and Community Services; Regina Caeli Clinical Services; Shelter, Respect Life and Immigration Services.


PG. 4 CHARITY WORKS | SUMMER 2017

Near the beginning of a 465-mile bike tour, my right knee gave out. I pulled over to a Ride the Rockies aid station in a tiny town in Colorado and lay down in the grass, in pain, my knee swollen. I felt alone and helpless. When I received help, my sense of relief and security was overwhelming. When you can’t help yourself, it’s a cold and lonely feeling. It really takes your breath away.

Now, imagine the helplessness of someone experiencing homelessness: foraging for food in trash bins, hunkered down under a bridge or not sleeping for fear of harm. It’s not something you would ever want to experience. But thousands of our brothers and sisters do experience that across the country. One-fifth of them are children.

There is good news. The estimated number of homeless people nationally has trended down in the past decade. The sad news, in Colorado, is that we’re counter to the trend. Between 2015 and 2016, when overall homelessness dropped 2.6% nationally, Colorado experienced the single-biggest percentage increase of homeless individuals (12.6%) of any state, according to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The causes are many and varied. What’s important is what we do about it. At the Samaritan House homeless shelter in downtown Denver, of those individuals and families who complete the first 30 days of the Levels Program that includes life skills, more than 60 percent leave the shelter with housing in place. More than 90 percent have income in place.

This year, we will open the Samaritan House Women’s Shelter in northeast Denver to accommodate 150 women a night. We’re also moving our administrative offices to that location to be in closer community with those we serve. With your help, Catholic Charities is providing hope in the face of helplessness.

That’s also why, for the seventh consecutive year, Team Samaritan House is part of Ride the Rockies. I was on the ride in 2015 when my knee gave out. This year, I’ll be part of the support team as 40 members of Team Samaritan House pedal a 447-mile loop from Alamosa to Salida from June 10 to June 17. Why do they ride? For the love of the homeless and to raise $150,000 to support the shelters of Catholic Charities. Those riders are spending many hours in the saddle. I encourage you to support one or more of them at samhousedenver.org/rtr.

And after you do that, make plans to come down to Samaritan House and help serve dinner to the poor. You’ll be much richer for it. On a training run, one of our riders met a group of three men from Australia, riding their bikes. Just because they wanted to be a part of it, the men ended up helping Team Samari-tan House serve a special pig roast dinner to residents of the shelter.

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith,” proclaims St. Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7.

Join us. Let’s race together to serve others.

God bless,

Larry SmithPresident and CEO of Catholic Charities

LARRY’S LETTER

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Charity Works is published quarterly by The Catholic Alliance for Catholic Charities

of the Archdiocese of Denver, a 501(c)(3) established to serve those in need along the Colorado Front Range.

As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Denver, and inspired by God’s love and compassion,

Catholic Charities extends the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.

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HELPING OTHERS: THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE

Visit online at ccdenver.org or call 303-742-0828 to learn more, volunteer or make a donation.

This column ran in the Denver Catholic, May 27, 2017.


BOULDER

A team of runners dedicated their 10k race in the Bolder Boulder to women’s health. The team sported Marisol Health T-shirts and teal tutus during the annual Memorial Day race to raise awareness of its medical clinics and social services to women in need.

LAFAYETTE

About 200 ladies gathered for a high tea event to support Marisol Health and its locations in Denver and Lafayette. The festive and fun luncheon included live music, a silent auction and Celestial Seasonings tea.

DOWNTOWN DENVERMembers of Team Samaritan House and their family gathered to prepare and serve a pig roast meal to hundreds of residents at Samaritan House shelter. The meal offered a chancefor the riders to spend time with residents at the shelter before their 7-day bicycle tour from Alamosa to Salida. The riders dedicate their tour to raising funds for the homeless.

DENVERCatholic Charities unloaded a delivery of 60,000 diapers for infants and toddlers to help supply its diaper bank. Donations to the Bottom Line Diaper Bank go to help low-income families receive much-needed diapers.

CHARITIES ON THE MAP

Catholic Charities is active in every region of northern Colorado. Below is a snapshot of the supporters, volunteers and staff who have shared the love, mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ along the Front Range.

DENVERA 12th Gabriel House location was opened at Holy Family Church in Denver. The pastor led a blessing and prayer over the new space, which will provide supplies to mothers and families with young children.


CHARITIES TEAM TALK

FAMILY, KINSHIP AND

SENIOR

SERVICES

� Furniture Row donated 10 queen mattress

sets, one king and threequeen box springs, plusa truckload of beddingand pillows. The bedswere distributed to seniors who had no bedor were sleeping on apallet on the floor.

� The Mulroy Senior Centerstarted a new class—Tai Chi. It’s a huge hit!The Taoist Tai Chi Societyteaches the class onMondays.

• Mulroy expanded itshours to 1:30 p.m. to offer expanded programming for seniorsand more opportunities for stimulating andthoughtful activities.

-Director Virginia Hentschel

ARCHDIOCESAN

HOUSING, INC.

• Guadalupe Apartmentscomplex in Greeley willopen later this year. Applications will beaccepted for the 47-unitbuilding starting in June.The complex will helpmeet the demand forpermanent supportivehousing among homelessand low-income individuals and families.

• We acquired Golden SpikeApartments in December.The 200-unit Section 8 property serves seniorsand disabled households.

� Energy Outreach Colorado will completea $700,000 project inenergy efficiency capital improvementsfor the building, whichwill include new refrigerators, a new boilersystem, new water fixtures, lighting upgrades, and more. This will improve the livesof low-income familiesliving in these units

-Executive Director Justin Raddatz

EARLY

CHILDHOOD

EDUCATION

• In May and June, children graduated fromour early childhoodprograms at our childcare locations. We gavechildren certificates andbackpacks with suppliesfor the summer, and werecognized parent volunteers for their dedication.

� Annunciation Preschoolmarked the end of its firstyear—20 children successfully completedthe program.

• Temple Hoyne BuellFoundation gave a$11,000 grant to the earlychildhood programs atAnnunciation School.

• $7,500 capacity building grant was receivedthrough the Early Childhood ColoradoPartnership to providetraining for workers andfamilies.

-Vice President Alison Keough

MARISOL

SERVICES

� The ladies high tea eventin April drew about 200attendees, who generously gave to help women in need.

• Denver7 recognizedvolunteer JoAnne Jones.She received the 7Everyday Hero awardfor her generous workproviding hope to womenthrough counseling.

• Marisol Services staffed abooth at the BoulderCreek Festival and a dedicated group ranin the Bolder Boulder 10Kon Memorial Day to raiseawareness and funds forthose in need.

� Marisol Services wasa proud sponsor of theFuture of MedicineConference held in Denver in May. It was anexciting conference forMarisol Services.

-Vice President Jan McIntosh

Love and compassion when and where needed


PARISH AND

COMMUNITY

SERVICES

� We launched “Mercy inAction Teams” to connect parish leaders withCatholic Charities’ manyresources. Our Back toSchool Mercy in ActionTeam is recruiting parishes to host spotsfor our Archdiocesan-wideSchool Supply Drivefrom Aug. 4-6. We’realso preparing for thefall’s Thanksgiving andChristmas Adopt-a-Family Mercy in ActionTeams, which will supportparishes and surroundingcommunity.

� Every third Wednesdayof the month, we hosta meet-and-greet eventcalled Coffee withCatholic Charities. Individuals nearingretirement, or those whoare looking for volunteeropportunities or employment at CatholicCharities, are invited.

� Our focus continues to be building and strengthening relationships with our parishes and thehardworking volunteers inthe community.

-Director Mike Sinnett

REGINA CAELI

CLINICAL

SERVICES

• As of Sept. 1, Regina Caeli Clinical Services (RCCS)will be officially renamedto Sacred Heart Counseling.We will serve under thesame mission and dedicate ourselves andthe care of our clients tothe Sacred Heart of Jesusand the ImmaculateHeart of Mary.

� The RCCS team willhave a rebranding kick-off retreat on June 23, the Solemnityof the Most Sacred Heartof Jesus. The retreat willinclude Mass, spiritual refreshment, fellowship,and reflection on thelongings of the SacredHeart of Jesus and howour devotion to Him applies to our care forclients.

� RCCS will move its mainoffice in Littleton to Englewood in late August.The staff will be closer topublic transportation near the intersection of Broadwayand W. Hampden. Staffwill welcome clients atthe new location in September 2017.

-Executive Director Linda Montagna

SHELTER, RESPECT LIFE

AND

IMMIGRATION

SERVICES

� Samaritan House shelterlaunched a new culinaryprogram. (See story onPG. 12) Shelter residents can apply to the paid program that trains them in proper food handling and cooking. It’s now a matter of pride to graduate from the culinary program.

� A new committee ofdeacons is being formedto help share newsand opportunities to getinvolved in serving thecommunity. This groupwill focus on the RespectLife Ministry and promotecharitable works at parishes in the archdiocese.

-Vice President Geoff Bennett


Catholic Charities of Denver

4045 N Pecos St, Denver

(303) 742-0828

For donation

assistance or

questions,

please call

(303) 867-0614.

ccdenver.org

GIVERS AND RECEIVERS


OPEN YOUR HEART Visit ccdenver.org

After 22 years of working in higher education, Karl Hotz decided to give his time back to the Church.

“My whole reason for retiring is I wanted to serve God and my Church,” said Hotz, 62.

Giving back meant being hands on and helping others in need. Hotz, a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley, retired and took part-time work at the University of Northern Colorado to allow time to volunteer. He never forgot his previous experience at Guadalupe Community Center, an overnight and transitional shelter in Greeley,

and decided to return.

Twice a week in the afternoons, Hotz comes to the shelter to assemble bag lunches for shelter residents, prepare food, and clean and organize after lunch is served.

“For me to go out and be hands on and active with my faith means a

lot,” Hotz said. “(The shelter has) always been very welcoming, inviting and encouraging to me. The best part of my experience is being in a good environment but also working with other volunteers in the

community.”

Hotz, who has served a total of six years at the shelter, is a mentor to new volunteers.

“I don’t mind sharing with them, making them more familiar and comfortable with the environment. I simply tell them don’t be afraid. You have nothing to fear. You’re being called to be helpful, so go out and experience it.”

The greatest blessing to Hotz comes when he gets to know residents and watch them as they build their lives again.

“It’s so worthwhile,” he said. “The reward is really in watching people leave the shelter and (have a second chance). They get their independence back. I love that. That’s the reward. Chances are I’ll never see them again, but I’m happy for them.”


PRAYOffer prayers for the mission

of Catholic Charities and the people it serves.

VOLUNTEERShare your time and

talents with the most needy in the community.

GIVECommit to a monthly donation

to make a difference: $25, $100 or more!

Team Samaritan House hits the road

Team Samaritan House is making its way from Alamosa to Salida during the annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour. The riders, who make up the largest team in Ride the Rockies, dedicate their 447-mile tour to making a difference in the lives of men, women and families facing homelessness. The riders’ goal is to raise more than $150,000 in donations to provide meals and warm beds while supporting the shelter’s program, designed to teach residents life skills and self-reliance. Support the riders by visiting samhousedenver.org/rtr.

Karl Hotz, a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greeley, retired in order to dedicate more volunteer hours to helping people in need at Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley.

Team Samaritan House riders in last year’s Ride the Rockies bicycle tour cross the finish line.

This year’s tour ends in Salida on June 17.


SENIOR SERVICES


Richard Hall stands with his Catholic Charities case manager Roberta Trujillo.


WHAT IS SENIOR SERVICES?Senior Services helps older adults maintain safe, quality and independent living.

For seniors 55 and older, Catholic Charities provides case management, assistance with benefit applications, advocacy, connection with the community,

and education and social activities at the Mulroy Senior Center.

VETERAN

FINDS SUPPORT

TO LIVE

INDEPENDENTLYRichard Hall was ill last year and wary about going to rehabilitation. That’s when Catholic Charities came in and helped the 90-year-old man connect with services to help him improve his health and live independently.

“We want to keep him independent for as long as possible,” said Roberta Trujillo, his case manager. “We keep an eye on him to make sure he’s getting home care, medical services and emotional support and company.”

Hall has lived for about 20 years at the Marian Plaza senior apartment center in Denver, an Archdiocesan Housing property. The military veteran brags about his one-bedroom apartment with a city view and a supportive staff who provide activities and create community.

“This is an excellent apartment really,” he said. “For one person, it’s super.”

Years before Hall came to Marian Plaza, he enlisted at age 15 in the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was stationed on the

USS Shipley Bay (CVE-85) that carried fighter planes used during the war. He continued to serve as a Marine and later married a

woman from Japan. He held several jobs including one at the Hilton Hotel in Denver and managing an apartment building on Pearl Street. His wife later passed away and he decided it was time to move.

Hall applied for an apartment at one of Catholic Charities’ senior living buildings and found a one-bedroom at Marian

Plaza. Eventually, he needed assistance with services that help seniors maintain independence and dignity.

Since then, Trujillo has helped Hall keep track and arrive at VA medical appointments, grocery shop, receive Meals on Wheels, connect with local military organizations, maintain his own apartment, and start end-of-life planning.

“Someone in his position may be burly and depressed, but he has a joy for life,” Trujillo said. “He’s just fun to be around.”

Hall said when someone from Catholic Charities,

or a visitor, comes by, “things always pick right up.”JOIN OUR

MONTHLY GIVING CLUB

By the Numbers

1,210 elderly individuals assisted through Senior Services

*2016 Catholic Charities Annual Report

Locations

Mulroy Senior Center3550 W. 13th Ave.Denver (303) 892-1540

Services are also provided in Larimer and Weld counties.

Learn more atccdenver.org/senior-care-services

Tommy McCarty prepares beef stroganoff for residents at Samaritan House shelter in Denver.


SHELTER AND HOUSING SERVICES

“I’m Tommy and I’m a cook at Samaritan House shelter. As sous chef (second in command), I oversee cooking dinner for 350 residents—plus I train residents in the new culinary program. I’m grateful to work here.

I struggled before I came here. My wife was killed by a drunk driver five years ago. It happened on Highway 287. After 21 years of marriage, it brought me down hard. I drank too much. I’m not an alcoholic, but I chose to bury my feelings in a bottle instead of dealing with them. I’m okay now.

Then I decided it was time to get back on my feet. I knew about Samaritan House, because I once volunteered to feed the homeless outside near the shelter. I applied to the Samaritan House program and got in the first day. It was a God thing. I couldn’t have done it without him.

I started working in the kitchen and soon completed the shelter program. I didn’t like the food. I thought, ‘This has got to change.’ Then they hired me on as a full-time chef. I’ve worked here now for four months.

Cooking is my specialty. When I grew up in Amarillo, Texas, my parents owned restaurants from a pizza place, to a steak joint and then a donut shop. I grew up in it. I moved to Colorado 17 years ago—God has been a part of my life every step of the way. I continue to go to Mass at Holy Ghost Parish downtown. I’m appreciative of the opportunity to work at Samaritan House.”


WHAT IS SHELTER AND HOUSING SERVICES?Shelter and Housing Services provides hope to families and individuals experiencing homelessness

by providing love, safety, shelter, clothing, food and services to rebuild their lives and restore dignity. Housing also provides affordable and service-enriched housing for families who cannot access housing in the marketplace.

CHEF FINDS

NEW START

AT SHELTER Homeless in Denver at-a-glance

5,467 homeless men, women

and children counted in the

7-county Metro Denver area

Of the total respondents, 2,112

or 38.6% were female.

Source: Metro Denver Homeless

Initiative’s 2016 point-in-time study

samhousedenver.org


MAJOR IMPACT

A SNAPSHOT OF THE SERVICES OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

787 clinical visits

and 466 ultrasounds

through Marisol Health

1.23 million

nights of shelter in

emergency,

transitional and

affordable housing

731,751* meals

prepared at shelters*including 200,000 (est.) for low-income children in early childhood education

2,720 individual

and group sessions

provided to children

at 6 Catholic schools

through counseling

services

26,987 direct

emergency assistance

services provided to

households

2016 Catholic Charities annual report


When you join our Monthly Giving Club, you experience joy in knowing your donations are improving lives

EVERY MONTH.

As a member, you’ll receive invitations to special events, a complimentary subscription to Charity Works digital magazine, and regular updates on how yourcontribution is enriching lives.

JOIN TODAY!ccdenver.org/donate-monthly

GETTING SOCIAL

Do you want to appear in our next Charity Works issue? If so, join the conversation on social media and post how you are working to help those in need with Catholic Charities. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #CharityWorks in your post. Then look for the next issue of Charity Works – your post may appear inside!

-Social media team for Catholic Charities

Follow Us:


W RKSCHARITY

PO Box 100728Denver, CO 80250-0728

ccdenver.org

�e former Father Ed Judy House has a new name and a new location. We are now part of Catholic Charities’ Marisol Homes. We are moving to a new location. Building construction is complete but we still need beds and furnishings for 16 rooms before we can house and serve single expectant mothers and single women, with children, who are experiencing homelessness. If we band together, giving just $78 each, we can make the move happen.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY!

WHEN YOU TRANSFORM A ROOM, YOU TRANSFORM A LIFE.

HOMES

Join the Challenge at ccdenver.org/MoveIn

Read about Carmen’s transformation at ccdenver.org/MoveIn

JOIN THE MOVE-IN CHALLENGE

charity w rks...furniture row donated 10 queen mattress sets, one king and three queen box springs,...

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