Category Archives: Transitional Housing Program

A Festive Holiday Party in the Transitional Housing Program

Posted on by
Reply

Santa’s elf, Sue Warner, passes out stockings to each resident.

Residents of the Catherine McAuley Center have had a busy couple of weeks. On Monday, December 17th, the group visited the Sisters of Mercy at Sacred Heart Convent for dinner, carols, games and a Christmas celebration. They got to do it all again on Sunday December 23rd. Our entire Transitional Housing family of residents, volunteers, and staff celebrated the holidays together with a great party. We enjoyed delicious food, some Christmas tunes, gift giving and a few special guest visitors. The group was into the holiday spirit sharing laughs and opening gifts when a ringing bell signaled the arrival of Santa’s elves. On behalf of the First Things First Foundation, Sue Warner and Tom Miller brought  a special gift for each resident; personalized stockings full of goodies for each resident. The new sunglasses were a hit with all and everyone appreciated the gift card toward much needed new clothes.

Santa Brings a Message for Residents from a Kind Soul

Santa reads a special letter to the group.

We had another surprise visitor during the festivities…Santa! Santa made time to stop by the Center to deliver a special message on behalf of a friend of the Catherine McAuley Center. Santa read this message for the group.

 

Dear Santa,

As I watch over Lori and those in her life I realize what a blessing it is to have the women of the Catherine McAuley Center be there to offer their support and love. I know that the women have been working hard to raise money for a Spring retreat at Prairiewoods so my Christmas wish is to help make this possible and to contribute towards their retreat fund so that this retreat will happen. Santa please pass this message on to everyone at CMC and let them know they are loved and deserve this gift.

With Love,

Jean Mc Ginty

Subrine comes back to the Center for the holidays after graduating the program this year and is delighted to receive a floor sweeper for her new apartment!

It has been a wonderful year for everyone at the Catherine McAuley Center. We have been blessed by many gifts; love, understanding, and most importantly the gift of time. This year our community and our family has been a part of some amazing transformations. As we celebrate our big successes, we never forget that it’s the little things that got us here.

Read more about all those who helped give back this holiday season. 

Girls Scouts Volunteer in November 2012

Image

Reply

Girl Scouts Build Courage, Confidence, and Character volunteering at CMC

by Jennifer Tibbetts, Transitional Housing Program Manager & Girl Scout Leader

Girl Scouts focuses on building courage, confidence, and character. The Girl Scout troop from Marion demonstrated how they possessed all of these traits through their help at CMC.

On November 16th these 5th grade Junior Girl Scouts stocked our food pantry shelves with 583 pounds of food and a truckload of personal care donations that we received through Mercy Hospital’s Mission Week project. Through the girl’s experience they not only helped the residents and students gain access to these basic needs but they also learned about the issue of homelessness. The troop learned how CMC helps meet the needs of those living in poverty and that they can each make a difference and have a positive impact in our community.

Success Story: Kristine Changes Life Direction

Posted on by

Seeds of Change: Transitional Housing Program

From The Mustard Seed, Winter 2012
By Jennifer Tibbetts, Housing Program Manager

Kristine came to the transitional housing program homeless and feeling like she had lost hope. Prior to coming to CMC, Kristine had experienced abuse and had raised her children in a home filled with addiction. Her life seemed to spiral out of control when she lost her steady job in the manufacturing industry, and debt continued to pile up. Kristine came to the Center out of necessity, and although she wanted change, she didn’t truly believe her life could have a different direction.

Although initially resistant, Kristine eventually learned to trust staff and open herself to opportunity. Soon Kristine’s life was bigger than just day to day survival; she was growing into a strong, confident woman with goals. Kristine enrolled in college and is now within reach of obtaining her associate’s degree in human services. She is planning to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Part of the success of the CMC Transitional Housing program derives from our belief that every woman who walks through our doors has the ability to succeed, given motivation and the right opportunities. CMC staff advocates for our clients in the greater community, looking for connections that enrich both the community and the individual. Through these connections, Kristine has become a representative on local- and state-level boards and committees. As a result of her experience at CMC, Kristine has learned to be an advocate not only for herself but also for others. Even before she completed her associate’s degree, Kristine successfully obtained a job in the human services field as an advocate and prevention specialist against domestic violence. Such opportunities for women to become connected in the community are often not measured in our service to clients. Our female-responsive programming provides a safe space where each individual is empowered to focus on developing her unique strengths and encouraged to form relationships that will serve her well beyond her stay at CMC

Ultimately is was Kristine’s decision to make positive changes in her life, but she would be the first to tell you that the opportunities at CMC helped her build a support system, recognize her strengths and make meaningful ties in the community. All of the CMC resources used to help Kristine along her path were an investment not only in her future, but also the futures of all those she will impact in her new career.

Success Story: Theresa Finds Her Strength at CMC

Posted on by

Seeds of Change

From The Mustard Seed, Winter 2011
By Jennifer Tibbetts, Transitional Housing Program Coordinator

Teresa came to CMC after completing substance abuse treatment to address an addiction she had been dealing with for decades. Teresa was a quiet, unsure woman who isolated herself from the others in the group. Throughout her involvement in Transitional Housing program, we have seen her blossom into a strong woman who now has direction in her life. The positive strides she has made are numerous. To highlight a few she has maintained full-time employment with health benefits, addressed many ongoing health problems and followed through with treatment recommendations. She continues to meet with a substance abuse counselor, participates in AA, and has remained sober since entering the program. Most recently Teresa utilized a community resource by establishing an Individual Development Account through a local credit union. In six months, she has saved $2,000 which will be matched through government programs to purchase her first vehicle.

Empowered Women Achieve Success

Posted on by
Reply

From The Mustard Seed, Winter 2011

Women's Empowerment BraceletIn Fall 2009, the women of Catherine McAuley Center’s Transitional Housing program developed a peerled initiative called the Empowerment Committee. This committee was started in collaboration with Catherine’s Comfortable Tea business as a way to get residents involved in the Center. The goal was to find a way for them to use their personal strengths to help promote CMC and the Transitional Housing Program. The committee helps residents strengthen their employment skills, empowers them to express their ideas and encourages them to work as a team.

“After meeting with a group of residents about the Tea business, I asked if they would like to get involved,” said Andrea Nus, Volunteer/Tea Coordinator. “A large number were interested in helping and from there the women started brainstorming of ways they could be part of the business.”

The residents quickly formed a committee and decided they wanted to create a product where they could share their creativity with the community through the Catherine’s Comfortable Tea business. Ideas for products included: custom t-shirts, handmade jewelry and note cards created from photos taken by students, volunteers and residents of CMC. Samples of bracelets and t-shirts were made and the ideas were presented to the public at St. Ludmila’s Fall Bazaar.

“We wanted the community to tell us what they found was the most unique.” said Nus. “At the bazaar, there was an overwhelming response to the bracelets and residents decided to take on the challenge.”

The Empowerment Committee holds monthly meetings. During these meetings new, original jewelry products are made. Members volunteer another two hours each month to help create additional pieces, organize material, inventory items and create marketing items.

The Committee uses the Catherine’s Comfortable Tea business as a venue to sell its products. The first bracelets were sold at CMC’s Mall Walk event in March 2010. At the event, five pieces were purchased. As of January 2011, 43 bracelets have been purchased.

When revenue started coming in from bracelet sales, committee members knew they needed a plan for using the additional funds in the best way possible. It was determined by the committee that proceeds from the sale of merchandise will be distributed as follows:

  • 20% of proceeds will go towards the purchasing project supplies
  • 40% of proceeds will be set aside to assist with the cost of the annual Empowerment Retreat, and
  • 40% of proceeds will be placed in an “Emergency Fund” that can be accessed by residents to purchase needed items such as coats, shoes, etc. if other resources are not available.

“It’s amazing to see the growth of the women in the Empowerment Committee,” said Jennifer Tibbetts, Transitional Housing program coordinator. “This group was set-up to help residents feel empowered by making influential decisions and giving themselves a voice to share more about what they feel is important. They have learned so much through the process of needing to create, plan and execute an idea as well as it has boost their self-esteem in many ways.”

Bracelets can always be purchased through Catherine’s Comfortable Tea, found inside the Catherine McAuley Center or through the Tea’s website, www.catherinestea.org. Also, a limited number of bracelets will be available for purchase at any CMC event or anywhere tea products are sold.

THP Empowerment Committee Presents at Whispers & Screams Conference

Posted on by

Seeds of Change: Transitional Housing Program

From The Mustard Seed, Summer 2011
By Jennifer Tibbetts, Transitional Housing Program Manager

Throughout this year, the CMC Transitional Housing Program’s Empowerment Committee has been growing in momentum. The women in the group continue to hone their business skills through various projects including a Women’s Equality Day event and the sale of handmade bracelets.

The women’s most recent endeavor was to apply to present at Whispers & Screams, a state-wide conference for service providers that work with the female population. Their proposal, entitled “Speak for Yourself: Empowering Young Women to Use Their Voice,” was accepted!

At Whispers & Screams, the women were able to provide the participants of the conference with a presentation that included information of their journey as they developed the Empowerment Committee as well as tools that participants could carry with them to their own agencies and apply to the population that they work with. We were also able to display information about the Catherine McAuley Center at the conference and sell the women’s handmade bracelets. Additionally, the Catherine McAuley Center was selected as the recipient of the silent auction proceeds that were collected at Whispers & Screams.

As the program manager, I have been able to witness the transformations that have occurred in so many of the women in the Transitional Housing Program. Seeing these women have enough self-confidence to present their ideas and stories to a group of professionals was truly amazing. The women on the Empowerment Committee have helped to strengthen the program’s female responsive components by creating relationships, developing a safe environment, and regaining their self-confidence to create a community of sisterhood that is extraordinary. With this strength, anything is possible, and I feel privileged that I can be a passenger in their journey.