Lent 2012 (week 4, Mar 18) FORUM Cover by Susan Edwards

During Lent we are called to  Change our Hearts and use this graced time to be renewed in God's spirit.   The FORUM Cover Articles during Lent this year are written by fellow St. Francis parishioners about how serving our neighbors in need, especially through Catholic Social Services (CSS) has caused a change of heart for the better.

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Lent 2012 (week 4, March 18) FORUM Cover by  Susan Edwards, member of St. Francis Parish

You will find that Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSS) is an amazing organization.  It has 28 programs and is open to all of the needy in our community.  CSS serves an average of 3,000 clients per month; its food bank alone provides food for nearly 650 families per month.  It is hard to imagine that in our affluent community, there are cars lined up as far as you can see, waiting for the food bank to open.  Still others arrive at the food bank via the bus, or on foot.  I have spent some time helping distribute food at the food bank, and it is an indescribable experience.  Not only do I feel overwhelmingly thankful to God that the needs of my own family are met, but I feel a sense of “rightness” in being there, of helping distribute what others have shared from their own tables and pantries, and of being able to show another that he or she is loved and cared for. 

There are many ways to help at CSS.  You can volunteer, serve on a committee or board, donate money or supplies, work on a fundraiser, or simply attend a fundraiser.  Donations are well spent, as CSS has one of the highest pass-through rates of any social services organization.  The programs at CSS include Father Pat Jackson House (the home for unwed mothers), as well as programs for the aging, housing for the most at-risk, help for abused children, hands-on work with the elderly, and many others.  One of their programs is sure to spark your interest.

Why become involved?  Jesus tells us to.  We have been singing the message of Matthew 25 since we were young.  “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me.”  How often do we get to minister to Christ?  Yet, He says that everything we do for someone else, we do for Him.  Wow!  I also learned something that has been very meaningful to me this year.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1039) says, “Would that you had known that my little ones were in need when I placed them on earth for you and appointed them your stewards to bring your good works into my treasury.”  Amazing.  I thought that I was ministering to others when I donated my time, money, or talent.  Yet, it seems they were also ministering to me, allowing me to perform works that would please God.  These words certainly brought me a renewed sense of humility and gratitude in helping others, and a new way of looking at the poor and needy around me.

I have enjoyed my affiliation in varying capacities with CSS over the last 15 years.  CSS is a wonderful place to show your works.  I pray that God will continue to use me, and those around me, to reach out in love to those in need in our community. 

Have a blessed week!

Susan Edwards

Written by Susan Edwards, St. Francis Parish member…  Neighbors in Need:  Join us in support of our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty-stricken elderly.  Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services."    Learn more at:  www.stfrancisa2.com/lent/

2012 Activities CALENDAR (week 3, March 11)

(Activities Calendar PDF)

Lent 2012 Food Services (week 3, March 11) (INSIDE the Forum)

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW):  Food Services

The CSSW Emergency Food Program’s food bank is located at the Northside Community Center in Ann Arbor.  Clients receive 3-5 days of non-perishable groceries and referrals to programs that provide clothing, transportation, and other assistance.  The staff and volunteers make sure that they always honors the dignity of each person served.

To qualify, families must have annual incomes below the Federal poverty level.  The Food Program buys food from Food Gatherers at a substantial discount, and also receives grants and donations from area churches.  The food that our children donate during St. Francis masses is delivered twice a month to the food bank.  Perishable food is also available; on the 2^nd Thursday of the month, Food Gatherers offers fresh fruits and vegetables.  This is important because only 13% of households eat the USDA recommended daily five servings of fruits and vegetables.

Food Gatherers cites Northside as the largest pantry in the County in pounds of food distributed.  The need for assistance at the food bank has increased four-fold in 5 years.  As wages fall and jobs disappeared, need has increased.

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This week, we share the story of Kim, who is involved with the CSSW  Emergency Food Program:

When you’re hungry, nothing else seems to matter, especially when all you have is a bag of frozen beans, two bagels, and $61 in food stamps to feed your family for an entire month.

Kim faces the daily challenge of coping with a closed-head injury from 12 years ago that left her with permanent neurological damage.  Unable to hold a job, she gives back to the community by volunteering for several non-profits.  Her husband Ed goes out day after day looking for work as a skilled carpenter.  It hasn’t been easy.

With sporadic income, their small savings eventually ran out.  Kim knew her family needed help. That’s when she decided to go to the Northside Community Center food bank. 

She was surprised not only by the quality and quantity of food she received, but also the personal attention.  “They treated me with dignity.  They didn’t treat me any differently than anyone else; I was treated like family.”  She was also given leads on employment opportunities and clothing assistance.

Although the food pantry supervisor was busy, she loaded Kim’s car and reminded her of the day fresh produce would be delivered.  They were wonderful,” Kim says. “I left feeling like they had given me my dignity back.”

This article was edited and organized by Kelly Gauthier, St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee member

Lent 2012 (week 3, Mar 11) FORUM Cover by Andy Nash

During Lent we are called to  Change our Hearts and use this graced time to be
renewed in God's spirit.   The FORUM Cover Articles during Lent this year are written by fellow St. Francis parishioners about how serving our neighbors in need, especially through Catholic Social Services (CSS) has caused a change of heart for the better.
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Lent 2012 (week 3, March 11) FORUM Cover by  Andy Nash, member of St. Francis Parish


A few years ago there was an appeal in the Forum for volunteers, you have probably seen them many times.  Like most of us, I figured I was too busy to take on any volunteer obligations.  I was working full-time and taking classes at night while raising a family.  But I did my obligatory perusal of the positions and saw one that I thought I might be able to manage:  a once-a-month commitment delivering the church’s weekly food collection to the Northside Food Bank, operated by Catholic Social Services.  I own a pickup truck and I had helped deliver food in the past from periodic St. Francis food drives.  I knew how easy it was, which is honestly why I decided to volunteer for this particular position.

This was a huge change of outlook for me.  I had always thought that because the needs of our community are so immense, nothing short of an immense commitment on my part would make any difference or be worthwhile.  But delivering to the Northside Food Bank changed my mind almost instantly.  Several times when I arrived the shelves were almost bare – and while I am not responsible for collecting the food I deliver, my small effort to get it there is an important part of making sure that those who need the food actually get it.  This experience made me realize that it takes many small and large efforts on the part of many different people to make a difference.  So what started out as a decision to do “the smallest thing possible” ended up showing me that those small things are critically necessary.

The problems that we face are still immense, no doubt.  But all it would take to adequately address them would be for everyone to dedicate just a couple of hours per month; time that even the busiest of us could find.  I learned through my small commitment how necessary any amount of help is to those in need.  Additionally, I found that it is also very rewarding and greatly appreciated.  Since I first began delivering food, I have picked up a couple more volunteering commitments, both of them on a small scale, and am still able to maintain all of my work and familial obligations.  I now look back at my time before becoming a volunteer as time wasted for no good reason.  I was wrong in thinking that I didn’t have the time – and even more wrong in assuming that I couldn’t make a difference.  In closing, I encourage everyone to commit to volunteering a couple of hours a month to a cause you believe in.  It’s worth it.

Written by Andy Nash, St. Francis Parish member… Neighbors in Need:  Join us in support of our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty-stricken elderly.  Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services."    Learn more at:  www.stfrancisa2.com/lent/

2012 Activities CALENDAR (week 2, March 4)

(Activities Calendar PDF)

Lent 2012 Housing Services (week 2, March 4) (INSIDE the Forum)

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW):  Housing Services

Having a roof over your head is not the same is having a home.  Understanding this, CSSW provides comprehensive assistance to adults and teens at high risk of homelessness to ensure they maintain safe, stable housing.

The causes of homelessness are complex, but the devastation is clear.  Those without a permanent home are much more likely to abuse substances, be crime victims, and suffer chronic health problems.  Along with a secure residence, a strong support system is imperative to break the cycle.  This is where CSSW comes in.

CSSW Housing Support Services (HSS) collaborates with the local non-profit, Avalon Housing, to help extremely low-income tenants maintain permanent housing and maximize independence.   

For pregnant teens and adolescent moms, Father Patrick Jackson House provides a safe, nurturing home environment and helps them develop the education and living skills needed to become capable parents.

Home.  A place CSSW believes everyone should be able to enjoy.

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This week, we share the story of Julia, who is involved with the CSSW program, Housing Support Services (HSS):

Things couldn’t get much worse.  Julia tried rehab, but kept relapsing; her husband and kids left long ago.  Because of her chronic alcohol addiction she couldn’t hold onto a job.  At 55, suffering from major depression, Julia was homeless.

Individuals like Julia battling life challenges don’t have to end up isolated, living in shelters, or on the streets.  In Ann Arbor, the HSS program helps tenants of Avalon Housing maintain housing and maximize personal independence.  Each client receives the level of assistance necessary to sustain independent housing.  Services include: help accessing rental assistance, transportation, connecting people with community and employment resources, and help with daily living tasks and medication management.  The HSS team is available 24/7.

For Julia, it worked.

When she first came to HSS, she had been homeless for more than two years—staying in hotels, sleeping on people’s couches, living in shelters.  CSSW helped her to get back on her feet, get medical help for her depression and other issues, and connected her with outside resources.

Today, almost three years later, Julie has a place to call home.  She is sober, secure, and hopeful. Her outlook remains positive because she is no longer alone—CSSW is there whenever, however she may need a helping hand.

This article was edited and organized by Kelly Gauthier, St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee member

Lent 2012 (week 2, Mar 4) FORUM Cover by Tony Glinke

During Lent we are called to  Change our Hearts and use this graced time to be 

renewed in God's spirit.   The FORUM Cover Articles during Lent this year are written by fellow St. Francis parishioners about how serving our neighbors in need, especially through Catholic Social Services (CSS) has caused a change of heart for the better.

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The Yorkshireman's Motto [Abbreviated]

“. . . And if you do anything for nothing, do it for yourself.”

I am a selfish man, and I want you to be selfish.

Since 1959 Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) has been dedicated to improving the lives of our community's most vulnerable citizens.  CSSW is the largest social service agency in Washtenaw County.  Annually CSSW serves thousands of individuals and families of all faiths and all walks of life.  

CSSW offers more than two dozen programs reflecting the vast diversity of our community: adoption and pregnancy counseling, food assistance, homelessness prevention, domestic and child abuse intervention and prevention, family therapy, and services to assist older adults, individuals with developmental disabilities, and at-risk families with young children.

I joined St. Francis parish in 1989 and the CSSW board of Directors in 1996.  By personal example, my parents always instilled in me the responsibility of lay Catholics to get involved and act positively in their communities.  When I joined CSSW I was absolutely shocked at the enormous need for social services in and around the Ann Arbor area.  This was not a mission to help poor people in some distant foreign land; this was real need just 1 mile from my home.  I guarantee that CSSW is active within a mile of your home also.

Did I mention that I’m selfish?  I have lived in Ann Arbor for 35 years.  I love our town.  I met my wife here.  We’ve made a life and raised our children here.  I plan to live here for the rest of my life. 

I am selfish because I want my town to get better and better.  If our community is going to improve, we need to help all our families in all their forms.  We must help all the children, not just our own.  Let’s face facts; times are tough for folks, and government finances and resources are stretched thin.  CSSW is a solid local charity that does solid local service for our community.

So I urge you to be selfish and get involved.  Do it for your community. Do it for your family and your children.  Do it for yourself.  Your gift of wealth, wisdom, or a willingness to work will have a profound and positive effect on our community now and in the many years to come.  Every dollar spent, every hour worked makes our community a better place for all of us.

Thank you for your time today, and may God bless each and every one of you.  

Lent 2012 (week 2, March 4) FORUM Cover by  Tony Glinke, member of St. Francis Parish

Neighbors in Need:  Join us in support of our local neighbors who are struggling for food, housing, and care of poverty-stricken elderly.  Our direct service partnership is with Washtenaw Catholic Social Services."    Learn more at:  www.stfrancisa2.com/lent/