Spring 2016SOJOURNERTRUTHHOUSE

Thank You to Our Donors and Volunteers; Read about your accomplishments.

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Reflections Ripples Realities; Sister Peg Spindler writes about STH inspiration through past leaders.

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In Step With India; Learn about India Castaneda and her involvement with STH.

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Time For a Positive Change; The story of “Yvonne” and her battle with domestic abuse.

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It is with deep gratitude that we thank all of our donors and volunteers who responded so generously to our needs over the past few months. Your gifts, both monetary and time, provide assistance for the women and children who come to Sojourner Truth House seeking help with their most basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and employment.

In October, donors cleaned out their closets and donated approximately 27,000 pairs of shoes to our Soles in Step program. Sojourner Truth House earned $10,597 from Funds2Orgs, an organization that pays non-profits for gently worn, used and new shoes and sneakers. Wearable shoes are then shared with those in need, and unwearable shoes are re-purposed, providing a livelihood to others in developing countries. Fifty organizations, including churches, schools, businesses and other non-profits, served as collection sites. Thank you to all!

Also in October, many of you elected to stay home but give to the Bathrobe Ball – our non-event gala. There were no fancy dresses to buy or tuxes to rent, and your gifts, totaling more than $20,000, helped women and children at their moment of greatest need.

In November and December, your response to support us at year-end and to help us build our endowment on Giving Tuesday was astounding. The year-end campaign raised a record $58,592. Giving Tuesday also set records and raised an additional $48,613 for the Sojourner Truth House endowment held at the Legacy Foundation.

Also in November, volunteers served pancakes at a special breakfast hosted by Longhorn Steakhouse in Portage.

Your gifts to Sojourner Truth House transform lives. The women and children we serve are so grateful for compassionate people like you. Your time and financial contributions are very admirable and much appreciated. Thank you.

Thank You to Our Donors and Volunteers

STH staff member, Manuel Maldonado packed the truck full at Queen of All Saints Church and School in Michigan City, IN. Parishioners and students collected 5,000 pairs of shoes!

Turning the Unimaginable into Dreams Realized; The story of “Jess” finding her dreams.

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We’re back with our printed newsletter! A newsletter of a ministry for women and children, sponsored by a community of religious women. Right in the middle of an election season where two women are running for president, right in the middle of International Women’s Month. There’s a theme developing here.

While women have been second class members of society for eons (we still don’t get equal pay for many of the same jobs men hold even in 2016, for example), women have proven themselves strong, resilient and resistant over and over again. Two come to mind immediately: Sojourner Truth and Catherine Kasper. Sojourner Truth traveled extensively with Frederick Douglas and others, championing abolition of slavery and women’s rights. A freed slave, she both knew the hardships of oppression and the exhilaration of freedom. She used her freedom to work for the freedom of others. Catherine Kasper, foundress of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, also knew both the oppression of poverty and the exhilaration of finding a way to help others in the context of the Gospel. These two contemporaries (though unbeknownst to each other) sent ripples of the strength of Gospel living into their worlds. They resisted injustice in word and deed. When challenges came their way, they were as resilient as tree branches in a harsh wind.

It is no wonder that these two women inspire us here at Sojourner Truth House. But it IS a wonder that the very women we serve also inspire us. Given the often horrific circumstances of their lives when they come to us, it is miraculous that they have the strength to get up each morning and keep trying. Given the trauma most of them have suffered, their spirituality and laughter even through their tears reflects a resilience I could only hope to have. Given the battering bureaucracy they experience almost every day, they resist not only the injustice and speak for themselves, but also resist bitterness and despair. Read the stories in this newsletter about two of our clients. I think you will see why, when I need the graces of strength, resilience and resistance, I look to them for my daily inspiration.

REFLECTIONSRIPPLESREALITIES

Sister Peg Spindler, CSA Sojourner Truth House Executive Director

India Castaneda is a successful realtor for Coldwell Banker in the Highland office and makes a living helping her neighbors in Northwest Indiana find the home of their dreams. But India’s journey hasn’t stopped there…she wants to help more of her neighbors find a home.

India was serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of REALTORS (GNIAR) in 2012 when she became familiar with Sojourner Truth House. Because GNIAR was a sponsor of the annual Walk for STH she was not satisfied with simply being a sponsor. India knew it was important to “be there” so she made a personal commitment to participate and encouraged others to join her. Today, she has seen the walk grow from humble beginnings at Gleason Park to its current launch point in front of STH at the corner of 13th Avenue and Madison. She has also seen the walk grow in attendance and revenue, attracting over 500 registrants and raising a record of over $110,000 in 2015!

As a tireless fundraiser for the annual Walk for STH and for other efforts on behalf of clients served by STH, India says the key is to simply “tell the story.” She uses realtor events as well as social encounters to let people know that there are meaningful ways they can help others, saying “it’s near and dear to my heart so I talk about it and people listen.” She says the most powerful thing she learned was that the majority of the homeless population is made up of children, innocent and simply wanting, needing and deserving a place to live. She encourages people to participate and walk or donate if they can’t walk in the event. She has also helped out in other ways such as initiating a sock drive. In late fall of 2012 she said “I probably can’t collect 100 pairs of socks by Christmas” and she collected 525 pairs!

In 2014, India joined the Board of Directors because she is passionate about the mission of Sojourner Truth House. When she initially toured the facility and saw the magnitude of what STH does with both limited space and financial resources, she was sold, wanted to do more and now she can. She likes the fact that we make sure that clients are “in it for themselves” and work hard to achieve self-sustainability, so it’s not a handout but simply a hand up. India takes steps to end homelessness every day and she is a true champion for STH and the clients we serve.

IN STEP WITH INDIA

There are many presumptions one might make about trials people go through in life, but not many elicit stronger reactions than spousal/partner abuse. Though few would ever condone or encourage these actions, many ask “Why did you stay?” or “How do you face that?” A recent client reminds us that these questions have a time and place.

“Yvonne,” an attractive, intelligent, articulate young woman, holds multiple Bachelors and Masters Degrees and is an accomplished businesswoman with a successful sales background. Despite these successes, Yvonne endured severe domestic abuse and when it became too much, she summoned the courage to escape. She sought orders of protection, citing enduring threats she was receiving, and was told she was “just paranoid.” With nowhere to turn, she went to a shelter and surrendered care of her youngest child. But Yvonne was determined to regain control of her life and came to STH eager to embrace every learning opportunity available to her. She worked to secure benefits and employment but was very disappointed to discover that some agencies “just don’t get it.” When she applied for jobs, she would “hide” her homelessness because “when you have the homeless label across your forehead, the conversation changes.” She said the perception was “it’s the homeless chick; she can’t help us out.”

Yvonne successfully completed STH classes, secured permanent housing and employment and regained primary custody of her youngest child. Unfortunately, two years later she experienced health problems, lost her job and apartment and had to go back to the shelter. She used the coping skills she learned in STH classes and set out to get back on her feet once again. Today, Yvonne draws on her love of writing by doing freelance work. She is in her own apartment, maintains custody of her youngest child and has a wonderful relationship with her other children. Yvonne’s health challenges are under control which gives her the confidence to face the future…and the questions…with her head held high. Yvonne knows that she alone has the answers, her own answers, and although no time is ever perfect, at least now she can face them. She eagerly looks forward to the day when “homeless chick” fades from her forehead so the conversation will change.

TIME FOR A POSITIVE CHANGE

2015 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Every person’s image of a perfect family is different but most see happiness in their future. “Jess” was no different as she lived what she thought was a good life with her family. She had finally outgrown the “need to run away for the littlest thing” which she admits that she did in school. Her anger issues were obvious and she didn’t have an outlet so most were directed inward. Jess finally began to see positive self-worth, as a person, as a daughter and as a mother. She knew she could be someone special and she set out to make that happen. But things changed as Jess had to share the unimaginable pain that rocked her family…her parents’ divorce.

When her mom struggled financially, Jess was forced to move to a homeless shelter. Initially she reverted to old ways, becoming angry and doubting the progress she had made. She came to STH feeling defeated and admits it was hard to believe things would turn around. Jess says STH took her “from nothing to something” and she dared to dream of a stable, productive life. Her first step was to complete her education so she studied for her GED and embraced all the classes she could attend. Jess says STH “gives you a push” and makes sure you have “something to grow off of.” She secured permanent housing and two years later, Jess says proudly that she “still has some of the stuff (she) got from STH” and plans “to donate it to someone else in need” someday.

Jess’s dreams have changed and she beams when she talks about her future. She is studying to be a licensed Child Care Associate and works at a Child Care center. She says she may even become a Social Worker because of her experience working with her Case Managers. Jess learned a lot as she “grew up and out” of her trials, but the best lesson was that she dreamed for a better tomorrow and her dreams are coming true.

UNIMAGINABLE INTO DREAMS REALIZEDTURNING THE

410 West 13th Avenue, Gary, IN 46407

Take Steps to End Homelessness!Walk with us on June 11, 2016 at the 17th Annual Walk for STH!

Form a team, join a team, or walk as an individual.

Register at www.walkforsth.org.

Call (219) 885-2282 or emailwalk@sojournertruthhouse.org for more info!

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

Partners in the work of the Spirit

Sojourner Truth House is a ministry of hope and help for homeless and at-risk women and their children sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Through hospitality, advocacy, integrative services and collaboration, participants improve their quality of life and that of the community in a safe, trusting environment.

Sojourner Truth House is a ministry sponsored

by the Poor Handmaids of

Jesus Christ

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