When Gabriel Partee walked through the doors of Catholic Charities, the young mother of two had one goal in mind: “To be stable enough to provide for myself and my kids.’’

At 28, Gabriel, has children ages 9 and 3. She also has an associate’s degree in culinary arts. But when she arrived at Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN), she had been living with her mother for about a year after losing her job, car and house following a personal hardship.

But Gabriel was determined to find another job and had sent out more than 100 applications with no luck. “I was about to give up.”

When a friend recommended the Driving the Dream program at CCWTN, Gabriel decided to give it a try. Catholic Charities is one of four care coordination hubs in Memphis for Driving the Dream, a United Way-funded program that approaches poverty much as a physician approaches any treatable condition. The care coordinator assesses issues contributing to a client’s poverty and connects them to necessary services to move them toward self-sufficiency.

In Gabriel’s case, that is exactly what happened. CCWTN care coordinator Deloris Clayborne arranged an interview for Gabriel at Patrick’s Restaurant, where she now works part-time as a cook. “That was a huge step for me,” she said. Gabriel was especially happy to

learn that she could find employment doing something she enjoys.

With her new income, Gabriel was able to pay for an apartment, into which she recently moved. Her uncle helped her find a car to purchase. Now, Deloris is referring her to Porter-Leath to get Early Headstart services for her son, who is 3.

Gabriel will keep in touch with Deloris twice a month for the next 12 months as part of the Driving the Dream program, and she truly appreciates Deloris’ approach. “She seems like a mother to me, caring about how I’m feeling. You don’t find that very often.”

And Gabriel’s children appreciate their mother’s newfound independence. “My daughter loves it when I drop her off at school and pick her up,’’ Gabriel said. “She was waiting for that.”

MAY 2019

SAMARITANCatholic Charities helps to fulfill a mother’s dream

Naturalization and

Citizenship Classes

Catholic Charities

1325 Jefferson Ave.

Recurring Thursdays

at 9 a.m.

For more information,

Call (901) 722-4730

Mobile Food Distribution

May 30, 2019

St. Mary Catholic Church

1665 U.S. 45 Bypass

Jackson, Tenn. 38305

For more information,

Call (901) 722-4758

Volunteer Saturday

July 20, 2019

Catholic Charities

1325 Jefferson Ave.

For more information,

Call (901) 722-4758

Upcoming EvEnts

Making giving a priority…2Serving God’s people……..2Welcoming the stranger…3

insidE this issUE

Catholic Charities of West Tennessee is forming a Teen Advisory Board of high school students to promote leadership and philanthropy in our local youth. Members will experience first-hand the different shapes that philanthropy can take through activities that help them give their time and talent.

Group activities will include boxing meals, community cookouts, supply drives and special projects. Interested students may apply by contacting our volunteer coordinator at mandy.lamey@acc.cdom.org.

Teens who went on the Catholic Charities Texas mission trip this summer will provide leadership to the advisory board. They include Olivia Stonecipher, a graduate of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School; Gracie Fogerty,

a St. Agnes Academy graduate; Maddie Fay, a St. Agnes senior; and Grayson Clothier, a Christian Brothers High School senior.

New Teen Advisory Board offers leadership opportunities

Gabriel Partee

Memphis teens on the Texas trip, pictured with Sister Norma Pimentel, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.

A native of Sudan, Matt* fled his home country following the second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005), which resulted in the deaths of two million people and the displacement of four million more.

He and his family lived in a refugee camp in Chad for 10 years before coming to the U.S. in 2016. In Memphis, Matt and his wife can raise their five children without fear.

Matt first came to Catholic Charities of West Tennessee for help preparing the forms that grant him legal permanent residence. Our Immigration Services program helped prepare the forms for an adjustment of status, which is the first step on the legal path to U.S. citizenship.

It can take as long as

seven months to get green cards, which verify individuals as legal permanent residents. As Matt and his family waited for their green cards, he worked at a warehouse and the children went to school.

But Matt ran into problems when he went to renew his driver’s license. DMV staff kept asking for additional documents and would not renew the license.

So Matt was overjoyed when Chris Butson, director of Immigration Services at Catholic Charities, called recently to tell him that green cards had arrived. “I’ve seen joy in peoples’ faces

but I saw relief in his face like I had never seen in any others,” she said.

Green cards are valid for 10 years, and Matt and his family are eligible to apply in five years to become U.S. citizens. The Immigration program served 482 individuals in 2018. Although the agency is no longer taking on new legal clients in Immigration, Chris is working to complete the 175 cases that remain active.

Catholic Charities will continue to provide supportive services to immigrants and refugees and offer English as a Second Language classes and naturalization classes to help them prepare for their citizenship interviews. “It is a gift to serve God’s people,” Chris said.

*Name changed to protect client’s privacy.

At 30, John Stukenborg is one of the younger First Responders to Poverty at Catholic Charities of West Tennessee. First Responders are monthly donors to Catholic Charities.

“The connotation of a First Responder just really resonated with me,’’ said John, a father of two with one on the way. “While we have been deemed the most charitable city in the country, we also have

the biggest gap between those who have and those who have not. Being a First Responder helps bridge that gap.’’

John and his wife, Ann-Katherine, have a monthly budget conversation that includes giving to their parish, Catholic Charities and some other ministries.

“Making it a priority now will allow the habit of giving to grow over time,” said John, a recruiter for a life sciences company.

John is completing his second term on the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities. He also has done volunteer work with Room in the Inn, Dorothy Day House and St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen. A lifelong

Catholic and Memphian, he is a parishioner at St. Louis Catholic Church. John graduated from Christian Brothers High School, Mississippi State University for undergraduate studies, and Christian Brothers University for an MBA.

John acknowledges that he is in a busy season of life and mentioned this as one reason he appreciates the chance to be a First Responder to Catholic Charities. “I know my giving is getting into the hands of the people who need it most.’’

Become a First Responder today by going to ccwtn.org/about/first-responders or by designating First Responder in the enclosed envelope.

Immigration Services: The gift of serving God’s people

How one First Responder makes giving a priority

Bill Rosatti Crye-Leike, ChairAmy Clunan Federal Express, Vice-ChairVirginia Scherer Community Volunteer, SecretaryMichael Butterick AutoZone, Inc., retiredCarter Giovannetti Red Door Wealth ManagementKeelan French Carty and Company, Inc.Rev. Msgr. Al Kirk Catholic Diocese of MemphisRichard Lynch Southeastern Investment CorporationJustin Reed Pinnacle BankJohn Stukenborg EversanaJonathan Lyons Raymond JamesTera Simmons Counterpart Communication DesignWilliam Platten Kroger, retiredGlenda Hastings Napa CaféDr. Evelyn McDonald Christian Brothers University, retiredWilliam Hecht Christian Brothers UniversityDr. Dorothy Thomas Author, speakerJimmy Stovall PrimeTime Strategic PartnersWes Kraker Pathmark TransportationDeacon Phil Moore International Paper, retiredAllie Bond AutoZone, retired

Richard C. “Dick” Hackett Executive DirectorTherese Gustaitis Deputy Executive Director/ Director of Parish Social MinistryBrenda O’Looney Chief Financial OfficerDana Brooks Director of Housing MinistriesChris Butson Director of Immigration ServicesJohn Kovach Director of Fig Tree Emergency ServicesLeigh Ann Roman Director of Communications and Development

Board of dirEctors

staff

families and veterans, the hungry, the sick and all God’s people in need, I am pleading for all to place a special importance on helping God’s children who are living on the margins. Please consider becoming a First Responder to Poverty – a monthly donor to Catholic Charities – today by designating First Responder in the enclosed envelope.

Let us share a small part of our comforts to help others with their necessities of life.

On behalf of those we serve together,

Richard C. HackettExecutive DirectorCatholic Charities of West TennesseeCell – (901) 265-0121

Our four-year-old grandson recently told his sister, “Sissy,

honor the Lord, obey Mama and Daddy, and keep your hands off my

trucks, 55:55.”We all know that there is not a Scripture verse

numbered 55:55, but I do think it was our grandson’s way of adding emphasis to his statement.

Please allow me to emphasize my concerns by sharing chapter and verse from God’s word in the Bible.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31

And finally, the verse that we try to honor in our work at Catholic Charities:

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

If there was ever a more important time to emphasize the needs of those we serve, I don’t know when that time would be. As we serve homeless

Welcoming the Stranger

Dick Hackett,Executive Director

+ J M J +

Reaching Out...

Members of the St. Louis Catholic School Beta Club help with our community cookout.

Volunteers sort and catalog books for the Summer Reading Room.

Seminarians help prepare our Summer Reading Room for our clients’ children.

Volunteers create walking bags of nutrition for the homeless.

1325 Jefferson AvenueMemphis, Tennessee 38104-2013

Serving Dignity and Hope.Building Self-Sufficiency.

WE WoUld likE to thank thE folloWingBEnEfactors for thEir gEnEroUs sUpport:

ccWtn laUnchEs Breakfast Speaker Series

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID MEMPHIS, TN

PERMIT NO. 3955

Mr. and Mrs. Dave KevernMr. and Mrs. Bill DuncanMr. and Mrs. Richard DoddMr. Charles White

Holy Cross Catholic ChurchInventory Locator Service, LLCMr. and Mrs. Raphael SchweigerMrs. Frances James

Mission Statement: Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, we provide help to those in need and bring them hope by supporting them on the path from poverty to self-sufficiency.

Service Overview: Catholic Charities of West Tennessee serves people regardless of religious beliefs, socioeconomic status or ethnic background. Catholic Charities is not just for the Catholic community, it is from the Catholic community.

Catholic Charities of West Tennessee is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.Your donations are deductible as allowed by law.

Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube

Visit us at CCWTN.org

We are excited to introduce a new, quarterly breakfast speaker series sponsored by Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.This speaker series is open to First Responders to Poverty, monthly donors to Catholic Charities of West Tennessee. It is a wonderful chance to enjoy fellowship and hear from Catholic community leaders. We are honored that our first event, June 6, will feature our new Bishop David P. Talley as the speaker. We are so excited to welcome him to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis.

• Fig Tree Emergency Services: Food pantry, Clothing Closet and mobile food outreach.• Housing Ministry: Connects homeless individuals with permanent stable housing.• Immigration Services: Provides support and guidance to those seeking a legal path to citizenship.• Driving the Dream: Connects people to the resources needed to move out of poverty.• Birthright Collaboration: Provides maternity clothing and a food box monthly to mothers in need.• Summer Reading Room: Offers a free book and reading time for children of clients.

How does Catholic Charites serve the poor?