Working to end homelessness, one life at a time. THE CATHEDRAL CENTER

HEARTMATTERS

“You have to take one day at a time and keep the faith.” _______________________________________________________________________________THE LIFE STORY OF A FAMILY WHOSE PATHWAY LEADS TO A FUTURE WORTH LIVING

THE CATHEDRAL CENTER l 845 NORTH VAN BUREN STREET l MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53202 l CATHEDRAL-CENTER.ORG l (414) 831-0394

Always laughing. That’s how we describe this cozy family of three. Despite great odds, Albert, Layla and Albert Jr. have persisted Albert arrived at the Cathedral Center looking for a fresh start at a new life. He had recently been released from prison after serving 5 years and his priorities were clear - take care of his kids and find stable housing. He knew how difficult it is for a father to find a spot in shelter in Milwau-kee. You can imagine his joy to be accepted with his two children just one month after being released. Albert was determined to use his shelter time as an opportunity to rebuild his family and his life. It began with a nightly ritual. Each night they were to say to each other, “I love you.” At first they felt silly. “Dad, do we really have to say it?” But he was firm, “Yes, because no matter what happens, we stick together. We’ve got to love each other every day.” Instability had become the norm for Layla and Albert Jr. after staying with family members for five years, bouncing between shelters and even staying in a car. That is why Albert wanted to use the structured life of shelter to bring regularity to his kids, with rules and guidelines for

Spring/Summer 2017

his family. He included them in chores, like laundry, teaching them household tasks. As they settled into a routine, they embraced homework help from student volunteers from Marquette University service club Midnight Run. The kids taught Albert a few things as well. “They certainly humble me, teach me to calm down and be patient, to listen. My life is complete with my kids in it. I think differently,” he says. Albert worked diligently with Dustin, his case manager to find housing with his very limited income. Albert didn’t even think employment was an option for him, but when LaDeidra, CCI’s WIP employment program director, asked if he wanted to work, he immediately responded, “Yes!” She connected him with a maintenance position through one of our employer partners. “I was more nervous for my job interview than prison! I had never had an interview in my life,” he says. “Everyone helped me get ready…LaDeidra practiced questions with me and let me know what to expect, Dustin helped me find clothes to wear, and Donna [CCI executive director] even dropped me off! The manager calledme the next day for a second interview.”

“When I was offered the job, I couldn’t wait. This is my first job ever! At the end of my first day Layla had been anxiously waiting to ask me how work was. Now, that’s what we do every day: I ask about school and they ask me about work. Having a job really eases my mind, and I love my job.” Amidst the chaos, confusion and fear, embracing shelter as an opportunity takes courage and determination – the kind displayed by Albert and his family. “I want to teach my kids that the way things were before was not the right way to live. It is never too late to live your life right,” he says. Albert, Layla and Albert Jr. moved from shelter into transitional housing at Friendship House, where Albert can save money while he continues to work. It is through the example of this father that we know that shelter can truly be a gateway to opportunity.

One of Albert’s requests right after they movedin was for a few board games. “Life, Monopoly, and

Yahtzee, those are our favorite games to play.We talk, laugh, and just have a fun time!”

The names in the story were replaced. Monopoly, Yahtzee and Life are registered trademarks of Hasbro Brands.

Thank you to Kathy Johnson for her 6 years of service on our board of directors, and for providing her expertise on our Finance Committee. We are pleased to welcome new board member Molly King, City of Milwaukee.

HEARTMATTERS

CATHEDRAL CENTERBOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers:

Chris Banaszak PRESIDENT

Debbie Granger VICE PRESIDENT

Liz Sellars SECRETARY

Kevin O’Leary TREASURER

Don Ellingsen AT-LARGE

BoardMembers:

Kevin BehlRebecca Bernstein, M.D.LauraLutterColePaula JohnsonMolly KingAlicia KoppKimberly MontgomeryKristinWaltersTraceyWellmanPortiaYoung

Ex-Officio:

Donna Rongholt-Migan

APartnershipof:

Cathedral of St. John theEvangelist

Columbia St. Mary’s(St Ben’s Clinic)

Want to know what is going on at Cathedral Center when you aren’t here? Find out on our Facebook page at Facebook.com/TheCathedral-Center! You will find success stories, highlights, special needs requests and more…

Learn More AboutThe Impact of YourSupport_______________________ 2016 ANNUAL REPORT

The Cathedral Center Thanks andWelcomes Board Members_______________________________________________

Kathy Johnson (center) receives a Certification of Appreciation from Board President Chris Banaszak and Executive Director Donna Rongholt-Migan

Women SupportingWomen EventRaises $8,000!_______________________GLITZ & GLAM A HUGE SUCCESS

Glitz & Glam fundraiser raised over $8,000 to empower homeless women bridge the income gap. Thank you to all who shopped, donated, and spread the word. Your generosity helped 10 women gain independence! Many thanks totheNovelWomenBookClubforteamingupwithJeanetteDvorakatAccessBoutiqueandMain-streamBoutique,alongwiththeyoung women of Lambda Zeta Nu Sorority at MSOE, for making this wonderful evening possible!

Our 2016 Annual Report will be available on our website soon at cathedral-center.org/publications!If you would like a copy mailed to you, please contact development@cathedral-center.org. Financial listingsandaprogramreportareincluded in the Annual Report. But we would also like to say THANK YOU to the countless in-kind donors not included in the report who have supported women and familiesbyfulfillingtheirbasicneedsandessentialseverysingleday!Inaddition,majorin-kinddonors include Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist (shelter space), Columbia St. Mary’s St. Ben’s Clinic (nursing services) and Hunger Task Force (food resources).

EMPOWERMENTCHALLENGEThe 2017 Cathedral Center

Thank you!! Over $37,000 was raised in support of the 2017 EMPOWERMENT CHALLENGE during the month of April as we celebrate 15 years of ending homelessness for women and families, one life at a time!

Working to end homelessness, one life at a time. THE CATHEDRAL CENTER

Cathedral Center Wish List_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ GET A GROUP OF FRIENDS, CHURCH OR SCHOOL CLASS TO HELP STOCK OUR SHELVES WITH THESE NEEDED ITEMS

SHELTER• Bath Towels• Face Towels• Twin Sheets• Pillowz

TOILETRIES• Deodorant• Toothbrushs• Soap• BodyWash• Shampoo• Conditioner

CLOTHING:• New Socks, Underwear, Pajamas• New or Gently Used T-shirts, Sweatpants• Flip Flops• Slippers• WorkAttire

SCHOOL SUPPLIES• All Items Included on the MPS SupplyList.Forinformationvisit www.mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

FOOD ITEMS AND PAPER GOODS:• Boxed Cereal • Sliced Sandwich Bread, Sliced Cheese Sliced Lunch Meats• Individual Packets of Cheese & Crackers, Granola Bars• Juice boxes• Bottledwater–(8or16oz,)• Hot Cocoa Packets, Tea Bags, GroundCoffee• PaperPlates,PlasticCutlery,Napkins, Paper Lunch Bags, Baggies, Hot/Cold Drinking Cups

Welcome to the Family!______________________________________________________________________________________________________FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - DONNA RONGHOLT-MIGAN

I have been contemplating the meaning of ‘family’ lately. My niece just got married and her husband is now part of the family – but he really was family long before the wedding. I have a long-time friend who my children call “Auntie”.

What makes a family – a family? I am of the mind and heart that says family is who is there for you – who helps you to grow and succeed. Family supports you when you are down – in whatever way support needs to be defined. Family sets limits and sets you free when you need to learn things on your own. Family rejoices with you in celebration and cries with you in sadness – offering hugs in all cases. Family is made up of people who raised you, were raised by you, were in grade school with you, who connected with you even though you just met. Family is grown through birth and marriage and experience and exploration. I recently participated in a meeting where there was a bit of Cathedral Center history in the room – former board members, new volunteers and staff members came together to plan for the development of a Cathedral Center friends group. What we realized, though, is that we don’t have to look far to find our membership. We already have hundreds of committed friends,

beginning with the 15-year history that sat around the table that morning – people who are key components of the Cathedral Center’s success and growth. Family. Shortly afterward, I received an email from one of our closest friends, Hugh McManus - our first board president - and his wife Katie, who had both been at the meeting. I could not possibly say it any better myself. Any celebration of 15 years at CCI surely points to the many successes that need to be recognized: the women who have moved to independence – and the children who thrive in their care; the staff and volunteers who served these women and families – and facilitated their transformation. During CCI’s first 15 years, a band of committed volunteers generously served – they are the friends and family who have already formed around the sacred work of CCI. These folks have offered time, talent, and treasure to ensure the success of the CCI initiative over that course of its 15-year history. For this reason, we believe that the “friends and family” group already exists at CCI. So, while we must ask you to stay tuned for further information on our newly formed Friends and Family group – I do want to say, “Welcome to the Family!”

DonationscanbedroppedoffatTheCathedral Center at 845 N. Van Buren St. between 9am and4pm.Foradditionalinformationorto dropoffalargedonation,pleasecontact Ana Treptow, Volunteer & Development Coordinator, at 414-831-0394 ext. 2133 or volunteer@cathedral-center.org. Please be aware that we cannot accept the following items due to lack of storage space: Most clothing, unless specified on our Wish List, Large/bulky bedding, Housewares, Small appliances, Perishable foods (except bread, fruit or packaged lunch meat or cheese.

HEARTMATTERS

Working to end homelessness, one life at a time. THE CATHEDRAL CENTER

Never to Late to Become A Cathedral Center Volunteer____________________________________________________________________________________GET STARTED BY CALLING ANA TREPTOW AT 414.831.0396 OR VISIT CATHEDRAL-CENTER.ORG.

The Cathedral Center845NorthVanBurenStreet,Milwaukee,Wisconsin53202Cathedral-Center.org

The Pathway Home –A Fall Celebration of Ending Homelessness Thursday, November 9, 2017

Savethedate–andplantojoinusaswecelebrate15 years of ending homelessness!!

Sponsorships are now available! Visit cathedral-center.org/celebrationforsponsorshipinformation,or contact Carol McLain, Director of Resource Development, at 414-831-0394 ext. 2127 or cmclain@cathedral-center.org.

Embrace Summer and volunteer with us! Now seeking Reception, Shelter Aid, and Hospitality Groups for Summer 2017!Want to get involved but not sure what position is right for you? Tell us which describes you:

Sorting and Stocking Donations: I love keeping things organized, tidy, and acces-sible! Give me a list of things to do and I’ll get it done! Resident and Program Support: I want to ensure all residents receive the items they need and extra programming happens smoothly! I love filling people’s needs and making sure everyone is happy. Shelter Operations and Routines: I think on my feet and will keep things moving even when unexpected situations

may occur. Advocacy and Promotion: I believe wholeheartedly in this mission, I can’t do a weekly shift, but I’d love to help with spe-cial projects, events, and tell others about this great organization! Administration and Reception: I love to greet and make people feel welcome, I’m good at handling several things at once, and I know how important administrative tasks are. Put me to work! There are endless opportunities to use your talents and skills to support our mission and enhance our programs: IT, HR, Education, Nursing, Event Planning, Marketing, Journalism, Music, Art, Admin, Organization, Fundraising, Advocating, Food Service, Cooking, Gardening.

Get Started: Contact Ana Treptow, Volunteer and Development Coordinator at atreptow@cathedral-center.org to set up an interview.

Pictured: new seeds planted by Jeff, our lead gardenvolunteer. We can’t wait to see our garden bloom!