From The Mustard Seed, Winter 2011

In 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.