The Delivery Room

Christmas 2012

A Letter from our Executive DirectorBy now, you may have heard that I have made the decision to step down from leadership of Maggie’s Place. It was a decision borne of years of listening deeply for God’s whisper and for the truth held deep in my heart. It is both a joyful and a challenging transition, filling my heart with tremendous appreciation for all of the experiences that the Maggie’s Place phase of my life has held. I was 22 years old when Maggie’s Place was set in motion. I have quite literally grown up in this community. I’ve had untold experiences that have stretched me, often begrudgingly, to give more deeply, more purely, more sacrificially. I’ve been invited into leadership, virtue, and maturity in the context of this work...and sometimes responded to that invitation and others times avoided the challenge. It was here at Maggie’s Place where big ideas...culture of life, feminine genius, dignity of the human person, works of mercy...encountered reality and tried to become a way of life, not just fancy words. The very real struggle of growth was lived out in this work.

As we approach the gift giving season of Christmas, I can’t help but note some of the gifts that Maggie’s Place has given me, gifts that will serve me well on whatever adventure God invites me to next. Some of these gifts were very hard won, others were sheer grace. All are treasured with profound gratitude. Ten Gifts of Insight that I have Received from Maggie’s Place

1. The moms are women of heroic strength. They have much to teach and are great witnesses of endurance and hope.2. Trying to love as Christ loved isn’t for sissies. Our staff members give from their guts.3. People are eager to help. Leadership in charitable work is a lot like directing traffic.4. There is a lot of suffering that you can’t run from. But, if you look with eyes of faith, there is beauty even there.5. Sometimes love turns the other cheek and sometimes loves speaks the truth. You have to be willing to say hard things.6. Cultivating mercy allows relationships to grow even in hard encounters.7. Perseverance. If you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, you can walk for a long time.8. Change and growth is a process...heck, life is a process. It’s easier if you let it be a journey. Incremental victories are worth celebrating.9. Stepping out into the unknown makes you available for profound learning. 10. Love is a moving target. It might be really messy and be EXACTLY right.

There is a whole lot more to say but I will have other chances. Thank you for these and countless other gifts that I have received. Loving and be loved within the Maggie’s Place community has made me the person that I am. I am forever indebted to all of you who been involved in this mission and in my life.

In His Sacred Heart,

Mary E. PetersonEffective February 1, 2013, Maggie’s Place welcomes John Scola, CFRE, who will provide interim directorship and organizational oversight until a permanent replacement is found.Scola is a former Board member of Maggie’s Place and has served in leadership positions for various organizations including the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Community Foundation and Food for the Hungry. He currently works with various clients in the nonprofit community and provides development and strategic planning expertise through his consulting firm.

2 • The Delivery Room Christmas 2012

Maggie’s PlacePO Box 1102Phoenix, AZ 85001www.maggiesplace.orgemail@maggiesplace.org

The Fiat House Coordinating OfficePhone: 602-262-5555Fax: 602-262-5556Mary Peterson, Co-founderChariti Stern Kim DeMerittJeff FuentebellaKristen MasloskiKristin SandersAnnie MetzgerMegan PenaDavid KrieglRoseann DenneryKristi CoulterMargaret Schultz

Maggie’s ThriftPhone: 602-252-1178Sarah Morrison, Manager

Cassie Hidalgo, Asst. Manager

The Magdalene House, Phoenix, AZPhone: 602-257-4648Fax: 602-258-0675Lucy RickettsAmanda CupMalia FurtadoAmanda PaezLaura Hurtubise

The Elizabeth House, Tempe, AZPhone: 480-491-0446Fax: 480-491-0495Julie LotzSarah WaggonerAllegra BisbeeJennifer Nipp

The Michael House, Glendale, AZPhone: 623-842-1000Fax: 623-842-1001Jamie StallTeresa GillCarol ConaghanAlyssa Wappes

The Zechariah House, PO Box 347364Parma, OH 44134Phone: 440-886-2620Fax: 440-886-2625Tricia Kuivinen, Regional Director

Christine Nowak, Counselor

Erin ValenciaPeggy AdamsKathleen MuroRebecca VogelJasmine Herak

Redirect your tax dollars via the Arizona Working Poor Tax Credit

Your Questions Answered:Q & A with Certified Public Accountant James DanovichMake a donation to Maggie’s Place by the end of the year and receive up to a $200 ($400 for couples) dollar-for-dollar reduction on your Arizona state taxes.

How does the Working Poor Tax Credit (WPTC) work?If you make a donation to an Arizona Qualified Charity, you can take a credit against your Arizona state income taxes. Maggie’s Place is a qualified charity. A credit is better than a deduction, as a credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in your tax liability.

Will I be refunded if I donate more than I owe?First, be careful NOT to confuse “what I owe” with “what is my tax liability.” You may be getting a refund because you had more taxes withheld (from your paycheck, pension, other sources, etc.) than what your liability was. In this case, if you qualify for the WPTC, you would get a larger refund. The direct answer to the above question is you cannot get a refund if you donate more than your income tax liability; however, any unused contribution may be carried forward and used up to 5 years after the donation.

Is there a limit to how much credit I can receive?Yes. Your contribution amount, not to exceed $200 ($400 if married and filing jointly). Otherwise there is a limit based on your income tax liability as discussed above.

How do I file for the credit?You can file for the WPTC when you file your income tax return for the state of Arizona. Arizona Forms 322 and 301 are necessary to claim the refund.

When is the last day I can donate?The last day to donate is December 31 of each year. Be careful to ensure that if mailed, the POSTMARK date is 12/31 or earlier. If making a contribution by credit card, the transaction date must be 12/31 or earlier.

Can I donate to receive both School Tax Credit and the Working Poor Tax Credit?The state of Arizona has a number of independent tax credits. As long as your tax liability exceeds the credit parameters of each, you can take advantage of the many tax credit programs available including the WPTC.

For more information on the WPTC, visit www.maggiesplace.org

The Delivery Room Christmas 2012 • 3

Maggie’s Thrift Empowers Moms

through Job Training Program

This fall, Maggie’s Thrift celebrated a successful first year in business. A year now behind them, the staff has begun focusing their energies on improving Thrift’s Job Training Program. As part of the Thrift social enterprise project, all current and alumnae moms are invited to apply for this five-level program that builds hands-on retail and customer service skills. Training progresses from entry level cleaning and sorting to running the register and assisting in store management. Currently, four participants are enrolled, like Christine, a current mom who displays strong work ethic, a positive attitude, timeliness, and initiative.

Participants are given the opportunity to develop other related interests while at Thrift, such as marketing, interior design, or computer graphics skills. Participants can remain in the program after obtaining a job to acquire additional skills, build resumés, and stay connected to the Maggie’s Place community.

Business Partners NeededLooking ahead, Maggie’s Thrift plans to provide resources and job leads for its graduates. Thrift is looking for businesses that would be open to hiring program graduates as full or part-time employees. The benefits of hiring a graduate are numerous: gaining a valuable employee who has demonstrated ability and initiative in the program, assisting a single mom in your community on her continued journey toward independence, and supporting Maggie’s Place in a meaningful way.

For more information about partnering with the Maggie’s Thrift Job Training Program, please send emails to: thrift@maggiesplace.org.

Five Ways You Can Give a Meaningful Gift This YearWhether you’ve been counting down the days since July or dreading the commercialized holiday rush, Maggie’s Place has a solution for gift-giving this Christmas. Here are a few ways to give a truly meaningful gift that will bless a loved one and support the moms and infants of Maggie’s Place at the same time.

1. Shopping for a wife, mother, or daughter? Order a Maggie’s Place Charity Charm bracelet, featuring a Maggie’s Place logo, cross, or baby footprint charm.

2. Searching for a unique gift? Skip the crowded mall and browse for gifts at Maggie’s Thrift. Find hundreds of quality clothing, jewelry, and household items at this neighbor-hood boutique. Every dollar spent here supports our programs directly!

3. Have a book lover in your life? Pick up Maggie’s Place, Building a Community of Love, a 300 page account of the sorrows, triumphs, and routine frustrations of this leap-of-faith project, written by its founders.

4. Looking to give something lasting? Honor a loved one with a personalized brick that will be placed in the courtyard at our new Mom’s Training and Outreach Center.

5. Want to make this Christmas memorable for someone who has nothing under their tree? Adopt a Maggie’s Place current or alumnae family and help us provide gifts to all of our moms and their children so they have something to open Christmas morning.

To order today, please visit www.maggiesplace.org/Ways-to-Give/Maggiesplace-merchandise. If you are interested in volunteering with us or adopting a Maggie’s Place family this holiday season, email Kim at

christmas@maggiesplace.org or call us at (602) 252-5555. We thank you for the ways you continue to support the important work of Maggie’s Place!

4 • The Delivery Room Christmas 2012

Ohio

Interested in supporting The Zechariah House during the Christmas season? We are always in need of simple groceries such as canned goods, staples (flour, sugar, oil), condiments, tuna, and peanut butter, as well as householdsupplies like laundry soap and cleaning products. Grocery store cards and gas cards to keep our vehicles on the road are also a welcome donation! Please call 440.886.2620 or email Erin at evalencia@maggiesplace.org if you would like to help.

Back on Her FeetBy Tricia Kuivinen, Maggie’s Place Ohio Regional Director

Like many women, Amanda was pregnant, alone and looking for resources for herself and her baby at a very critical time in her life when she found Maggie’s Place. She was searching for a housing referral, but upon speaking at length with a member of the Corps team, she realized her situation might be a good fit for The Zechariah House. “Although it seemed overwhelming, I felt ready to try this [raising my son] alone but also knew I needed a temporary place to get back on my feet”, said Amanda. “I wanted to be able to accomplish more things for myself and my baby.”

When Amanda moved into The Zechariah House it was clear she had many positive things going for her, including motivation to be a successful parent, some college credits, and experience working in management at a local restaurant. This combination of factors helped her fit easily into the structure of the home and emerge quickly as a natural role model for The Zechariah House moms. Amanda willingly completed household chores, easily established friendships and soon became a trusted member of the community.

Not too long after moving in, Amanda began her journey as a hands-on mom with the birth of her son Ryan. Amanda was fortunate to have a job that allowed maternity leave, and she devoted herself to caring for Ryan full-time for several weeks, breastfeeding and working to establish a schedule for him. About this time, there was significant transition among the Corps team as well as multiple new moms moving into The Zechariah House. Amanda accepted these changes beautifully, befriending the newer moms. In a more difficult but needed personal transition, she also found suitable daycare for Ryan and eventually returned to work.

In addition to working almost full-time and caring for baby Ryan, Amanda has set further goals for herself, including updating her resumé and passing the exam to become a Certified Medical Assistant. Her biggest obstacle so far? “Finding time and a quiet space to study,” says Amanda. “But I want to pass, so I can get more money per hour when I work, and so I can get even more schooling, maybe even become a doctor. I think Maggie’s Place is a great opportunity for pregnant women to get back on their feet; you don’t even realize what it offers when you first come.” Amanda’s long-term goals include finding her own housing, working full-time and eventually becoming a physician.

When asked what surprised her most about The Zechariah House, Amanda said, “Probably that it is just like any other house, like any other family. People do things that get on your nerves, but there is also support, fun and laughter. After I had been here a while I said to myself, ‘This is cool. I love the Corps and there is good synergy with everyone.’ I’m thankful Maggie’s Place was there for me and Ryan when we needed it.”

The Delivery Room Christmas 2012 • 5

ArizonaA Mom Who Won’t Give UpBy Kristi Coulter, The Fiat House

Sometimes, in doing life together in our homes, it can be easy to overlook the quiet successes that occur. Executive Director Mary Peterson describes this community living as “love in all its messiness, with the reality of complicated lives and difficult situations.” Yet oftentimes, there are glowing victories that surface in the day to day, like the tenacity of Carmella at The Michael House.

I first met Carmella this summer at a community party, where I watched her play a boisterous game of airplane with her baby while the other moms quietly listened to a talk on motherhood. She proved to be as refreshingly brassy when I listened to her story a few months later.

Carmella grew up in a broken family, with an absent father and a mother struggling with drug addictions, a habit Carmella quickly picked up herself. Several years later, she found herself pregnant and supporting two children with an abusive boyfriend fighting charges of fraud.

“This is not what I needed, she explained. “I thought it would be a screw up, but this baby was the best thing that could have happened for me and my kids.” After searching for options online, she came across Maggie’s Place, and with characteristic persistence, called for three months before finding an opening. She moved in, incidentally, on Mother’s Day.

Before giving birth, Carmella applied and was offered a job unloading trucks at UPS. Her daughter Contessa was born soon after. Carmella now has full benefits for herself (and soon for her children), and has secured viable daycare for her daughter.

Carmella has a deep appreciation for community. “During my first pregnancy I was all by myself. The pain that I felt without having family, without having him [my boyfriend], made me very angry.” Now, she regularly attends Maggie’s Place events and trainings to keep sober and to increase her job marketability. “I have the tools I need,” she said, explaining that she has received a food handler’s card and CPR license through Maggie’s Place at no cost to her. “I need community to keep from falling into it again…I’ve got to keep doing something productive.”

Looking ahead, Carmella has her eye on the Maggie’s Place transitional housing program and is saving to buy a car. She also hopes to get her boys back, who are now living with their grandparents. Her advice to her daughter? She answered this thoughtfully as she watched Contessa sleep in her arms. “Love unconditionally, and never give up.” Heavy words, coming from a woman gifted with the endurance and heart to give her kids a better future.

Maggie’s Place MissionCorps

Maggie’s Place has an immediate need for long-term live-in volunteers who are

able to commit 1-2 years to providing direct service to our

mothers and their babies. Room and board, health insurance, access to

community vehicles, monthly stipend and AmeriCorps Education Award

available. If interested, please contact Stacey Novak at 602-262-5555 or missioncorps@maggiesplace.org!

Database updateMaggie’s Place changed

data management systems in recent months. While the new system has tenfold the capacity and will serve us well in the future, there have been a

few glitches in data transfer. Please forgive

our transition errors and let us know if we need

to make modifications to your record.

“I will always remember the profound impact Maggie’s Place has had on my personal

development. Each and every person I have met here has inspired me...” Ashley, MissionCorps 2011

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Thank You!

Maggie’s Place is honored to receive a grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, which will help fund major renovations for the Mom’s Training and Outreach Center. The Center will provide social and support services for moms and their children as they continue their journey toward success and independence. The grant also funds the development of a child-friendly space to be used while moms receive services offered at the Center. Maggie’s Place sincerely thanks Piper Trust for making this support possible.

A special thanks goes out to Phoenix Suns Charities who awarded a grant for the Mom’s Training and Outreach Center. Phoenix Suns Charities has supported Maggie’s Place for several years, funding guest-related and programmatic expenses of the homes.

Maggie’s Place families celebrated a happy Halloween thanks to Teens Caring for a Cause, who hosted a fun-filled party complete with a bounce house donated by C & J Jumpers.

Banana Republic of Chandler shared their retail know-how when volunteering at Maggie’s Thrift, and they followed up

by donating mannequins!

Friends of the Cathedral held another successful golf tournament this year, generously benefiting Maggie’s Place and 40 Days for Life.

Five carloads of cleaning supplies, toiletries, clothing and bicycles totaling around $3000

were donated by Discover Card’s Community Involvement Department.

Thanks Lauren Dufour for coordinating this generous donation drive!

Generous donors and volunteers keep our homes open and running. Thank you to all our supporters this quarter, including the following groups:

The Delivery Room Christmas 2012 • 7

Another Successful Race for Maggie’s Place

A Race for Maggie’s Place Arizona had its biggest year yet, raising over $30,000 with nearly 1000 runners and volunteers. Tempe Beach Park was filled with race enthusiasts from all stages of life, who competed in the Kids’ Dash, 3 mile walk/run, 9k or 10k . Retired Diamondbacks outfielder and title sponsor Luis Gonzalez came to show his support, starting off the race and warming up with children participating in the Kids’ Dash. This year, twelve Maggie’s Place moms participated after completing Fit Moms, a six-week training program in preparation for the race led by professional fitness trainers in the Phoenix area.

In Ohio , the 3rd annual race welcomed 288 participants and 71 volunteers at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, raising over $15,000 to support the work of Maggie’s Place.

Race results and photos can be found at www.maggiesplace.org. Maggie’s Place thanks its participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making this year a great success! Save the date for next year’s A Race for Maggie’s Place 2013: Arizona -October 6th and Ohio - October 12th.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Every Kid’s Dentist and OrthodonticsTempe Modern DentistThe Venue of ScottsdaleStep By Step PediatricsRoyal Neighborhoods of ArizonaRacelabTempe Smile Design

Wellness Key ChiropracticTempe Smile DentistHere on the CornerFlagstaff ExtremeSole SportsGrand Canyon UniversityPampered ChefTerrain Racing

Volunteer Spotlight: Annie HanningMaggie’s Place is grateful for all our volunteers who give of their time and energy to help the women and children in our homes. This year, one of our youngest volunteers and donors, Annie Hanning, has stood out in her initiative to help and her cheerfulness in doing so.

Age: 11, eldest of 5 siblings

How did you hear about Maggie’s Place?My mom and dad go to your events and donate to Maggie’s Place.

How have you been involved at Maggie’s Place?I gave my 10th birthday money to Maggie’s Place and helped out with my sister Isabel at the Mary Magdalene Party this summer. At the Mary Magdalene Party I liked how all the moms knew each other and supported each other.

Why do you choose to volunteer at Maggie’s Place?It’s really cool what you’re doing, helping the moms and helping them find jobs. I’ve seen the things my mom and dad get in the mail and I like how you’re helping the moms and babies.

Do you volunteer at other places?Aid to Women Center. I help stuff baby bottles for their bottle drives.

What would you say to encourage someone to volunteer at Maggie’s Place?We should support Maggie’s Place to help more moms and so you can open more homes. I really hope you open another home!

What do you like to do when you’re not volunteering?I like to babysit my brothers and sisters, read, play with my friends, and help milk our two pet goats.

UMB BankPopchipsOhYeah! NutritionBack East BagelsShamrock FarmsFuzeBumble Bars

Mojo YogurtSafeway Foundation5 Hour Energy12K for ChristmasArcadia Food and Ankle LLCRed Star World WearREI

PO Box 1102Phoenix, AZ 85001

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Maggie’s Place Inc. is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization with the ID# 86-0972675. Maggie’s Place Arizona and Maggie’s Place Ohio exist as supporting organizations. Please contact us for additional information.

www.maggiesplace.org

Your support made a difference this year! 2012 at a glance:

77 moms lived in our homes (82% were single mothers,

average age of 24.8)

Maggie’s Thrift celebrated 1 year in business - 9 moms participated

in Thrift’s Job Training Program2 moms selected as Becky Most

Educational Fellowship recipients

34 babies born at Maggie’s Place 14 boys - 20 girls (2 sets of twins)

Nearly 1,300 participants at the Race for Maggie’s Place in AZ and OH

700+ active volunteers helped in our homes this year

5 moms had over $1,500 in savings at move-out

22 of the 48 moms that have moved out have increased their education