St. Margaret’s House
Happenings
Vol. 20, No. 4
South Bend, IN • November 2008
What do you carry with you?
A Ministry of
Hospitality
u
A Safe
and Caring
Day Center
for Women
and Children
in Need
M
any of us carry a bag each day. St.
Margaret’s House guests also carry
their bags each day: diaper bags,
backpacks with school books, oversized
purses, bags with clothes for work, canvas
shopping bags, or sometimes simple plastic
grocery bags. A common stereotype negatively portrays women in need as “bag ladies.”
The theme for the eighth annual Fashioning
Our Lives (FOL) luncheon and fashion show
works to dispel this myth.
“We hope that people who come to the luncheon will realize that our women are valuable and that they have much to offer to our
community,” says Sheila Smith, Guest Services Coordinator and director of the FOL
Empowerment Program. Participants attend
meetings to plan all details of the event, including selecting the theme, preparing the
program, contacting corporate donors, and
creating table decorations.
Held at the Century Center, FOL features
SMH guests modeling clothing from the
SMH Clothes Closet, as well as scarves and
jewelry handmade by guests. Besides modeling clothing and accessories, the models will
share stories about the contents of their bags.
Come and experience the spirit and inspiration of these extraordinary women. You will
not want to miss Fashioning Our Lives!
Preparing for the luncheon. SMH guests pass
I was hungry and you gave
me food, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to
drink. I was a stranger and you
welcomed me, I was naked and
you gave me clothing, I was
sick and you took care of me.
Matthew 25:35-36
around sheet music (top) during choir practice for FOL.
On a recent afternoon, guest Audrey Jubinville creates the
purses that will serve as centerpieces for FOL.
?
g
a
b
r
u
o
y
what's in
Fashioning Our Lives 08
luncheon
fashion show
art auction
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:30 am~1:00 pm Century Center
See insert for more details and reservation form.
Director’s Corner
Catching up with a friend
Johnnie came to visit today. I haven’t seen her in months
because she has become a working woman. About this time
last year Johnnie graduated from the Getting Ahead in a Just
Getting by World seminar held here at St. Margaret’s House.
She participated in this class which is taught as part of the
Bridges Out of Poverty program twice a week for over 10
weeks. At that time, she had been out of the work force for
over ten years. She had decided that it was time to make a
change.
Soon after graduating from the program, Johnnie started
work as a dietary aide. When she came in today, she reported
that she had been working there for several months and
now has a new job. I asked if she had lost her job. “No,” she
replied, “I’m now working in my profession.” While holding
the first job, she studied for and received her Certified
Nursing Assistant certification and is now employed in a
nursing facility. I then asked, “So how do you get to work?
Is your job on the bus route?” “No,” she replied, “I also got
my drivers license and I drive to work.” I asked, “So are you
happy?” She replied, “I love my patients. And I am much
happier. You know poverty can be depressing. You get into
a certain mindset and you never think things can be better.
That class I took (Getting Ahead) helped me to see that things
could be different and now they are.”
I thanked Johnnie for stopping in and telling me her story.
Right now, eleven women are working hard to complete the
Getting Ahead seminar. Johnnie’s story shows us that things
really can be different, and gives us all new hope and energy
to make that happen.
~Kathryn A. Schneider, M.Div.
New guest computer lab. Special thanks to Bob Essig and IBM for their generous
donation of three new Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop computers for our guest computer
lab. Once guests complete an orientation class, they can do homework, write resumes,
and utilize learning programs with these state-of-the-art computers. Here, Saint Mary’s
College service learning student Becki Faunce provides a short class on computer basics
for our Foster Grandmother Jeannette Winborn and guest Michele Persons.
Bits and Pieces
Keeping the fire going … On a beautiful fall day during the first week
of October, volunteers and staff gathered at the Sacred Heart Parish
Center on the campus of Notre Dame for our annual retreat. South
Bend’s Charlie Adams inspired our volunteers with a talk entitled,
“Stoking the Fire Within.” His session was made possible by a grant
from the national Episcopal Church Jubilee Ministries office.
Making it shine … Special thanks to Dan and Carol Draper of
Nationwide Janitorial Services for putting a shine on our floors. Their
kindness adds a sparkle to our days!
A golden opportunity … dedicated SMH volunteer Dolores Kovach
was recently nominated by REAL Services, Inc. for the Golden Hoosier
Award. Although Dolores did not win the award, it was an honor to be
nominated. Dolores sorts donations several days each week for SMH.
We are proud to have her as a volunteer.
A new look …The Family Magazine of Michiana honored SMH guest
Donna Lawrence with a Mommy Makeover this summer. Nominated
by SMH staff, Donna was chosen by the magazine because of “her
strong determination to better her life.” Along with her daughter,
Theresa, Donna enjoyed a makeup consultation, manicure, pedicure,
and several other gifts courtesy of the magazine.
Monkey-ing around with a new look
SMH recently received the “Monkeydo” grant for creative services,
awarded by Monkeyhouse Marketing in Mishawka. Be watching
for a new look for our web site, newsletter, and other promotional
materials. We are thrilled to be the recipient of this program that
gives back to the community. Thank you to the hard-working staff
of Monkeyhouse Marketing for this wonderful opportunity.
Works of art. SMH guests Lenoria Seals and Lucy Olivares admire two works created
by artist Mary Beth Digann (center). The painting hanging on the wall was donated
by Mary Beth to SMH. During the Raymond James Gala in the spring, the mother and
child painting was purchased and donated to the women of St. Margaret’s House. Both
paintings hang in the dining area for all to enjoy.
An educated guest. (above) Dr. Virginia Calvin, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College in
South Bend, met with SMH guests as part of the Fashioning Our Lives empowerment program. She
spoke about the importance of voting, helping one another as our sister’s keeper, and achieving a
higher education. She reminded guests that if they work hard, there is no obstacle too great to keep
them from fulfilling their dreams of getting an education.
Climbing the corporate ladder. (left) Our kitchen got a deep-cleaning courtesy of em-
ployees from Crow Horwath. They climbed ladders to dust the tops of pipes and shelves, moved the
ovens and the refrigerator and freezer to clean behind and underneath — they washed everything
in sight. Many thanks to them for their hard work.
Thanks to You
We extend THANKS to these recent cash donors. This list includes donors since our last newsletter. If your name has
been omitted, please contact us and we will correct this mistake in the next newsletter. All donations are tax deductible.
Individuals
Anonymous (2)
Sebastian Abraham & Arokia Vincent
Charles & Nancy Adams
Bonnie Bazata
Michelle Berger
Martin & Penelope Bergeson
Julie & Randal Bladel
Elisabeth Bolduc & Peter Van Inwagen
Warren Braunsdorf
Thomas & Joanne Broden
Dorothy Cochran
Hal & Rhonda Culbertson
Cecelia Cushing
Norman Dales
Mary D’Angelo
Mary Christina DeKever
Gwenyth Delee
Michael Dixon
W. Joseph Doran
Jean & Fred Duensing
Donald & Kara Eberly
Sharon & Matthew Edmonds
Daniel & Lois Ewing
Nancy Filley
Tyra Gaylord
Diane Gram
Mildred & James Greenwell
Thomas & Maxine Gurr
Dorothy & Gerald Heberlein
William & Mary Louise Hilkert
Mary Houck
Laverne Hughes & Susan Wright
Thomas & Eileen Hughes
Douglas Johnson
Ronald Jones
Anne Jordanich
Jean Kass
Irene Keb
John & Judith Kenney
Clem Krugh
Linda LaDow
Irene Leahy
Thomas & Mary Lehman
Frank & Elsie Leitner
Rt. Rev. Edward & Sylvia Little
Jeanne Logan
Dorothy & Robert Lordi
Danile & John Martens
Francis & Maura McDonald
J. Patrick & Sharon McManus
Mark McNamee
Pat McQuade
Alvin & Montel Menting
Nancy & D. Meyer
Ann Kenney Miller
David & Alice Miller
Lauri & Pedro Miro
Ella Nixon
Marvin O’Connell
Sandra & John Ohime
Richard Parpart
Marion & Karol Pasierbowiez
Irwin & Andra Press
Ellen Rice
John & Frances Ruhe
Sara Sage
Sharon & Jon Schloemer
Wolfgang & Ellen Schmidt
Edith V. Schneider
Susan Shank
Eleanor Spaniolo
Thomas & Lavetta Stankus
Richard & Susan Stasyshan
Susan & Dan Steibe-Pasalich
William Storey & Philip Schatz
Christine Tessarowicz
Lucille V. Thompson
Janet VanDeVeire
Thomas & Anita Veldman
John & Eunice Vogel
Christian & Nancy Weigel
Kenisha Wells
Robert M. White
Elizabeth Wilson & Bruce DeGrazia
Groups
AM General
Cathedral Church of St. James
Circle of Serbian Sisters
Dauthers of Isabella,
Notre Dame circle No. 572
Dec-o-Art Inc.
Evangel Heights UMW
First Source Bank
First United Methodist Church
Foot Solutions
Greater St. John Missionary Church
Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley
Key Bank
Laureate Beta Psi
McDonald Physical Therapy and
Sports Rehab Center, P.C.
Northern Indiana Public
Service Company
St. Anne’s ECW, Warsaw
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center,
Foundation of SJRMC
and Mission Integration Dept.
St. Paul’s Church, Mishawaka
State Employees’ Community
Campaign
Sunnyside Presbyterian Church
University of Notre Dame,
Cavanaugh Hall
Wal-Mart Foundation (Store 2680)
Memorials
In honor of Mary Houck
M. H. Jones
In memory of Eula Hunt
Elizabeth Wilson & Bruce DeGrazia
Martha & Frank Moriconi
In memory of Jan Griffiths
Zoe Arrowsmith
In memory of Barbara Ruth Rice,
mother of Irene Szynski
Bridget & Michael Beutter
In memory of Bruce Wilson
Elizabeth Wilson & Bruce DeGrazia
We extend our gratitude to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for their generous donation of the printing of our newsletter.
St. Margaret’s House expresses its deep appreciation to REAL Services, Inc. for their participation in the sponsorship of SMH.
St. Margaret’s House Happenings is published quarterly by the Board of St. Margaret’s House, Nancy Brennen, chair.
For information, contact: St. Margaret’s House, 117 N. Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601. Or call (574) 234-7795 or visit our web site www.stmargaretshouse.org.
St. Margaret’s House is a project of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana and the Cathedral of St. James, South Bend, Indiana.
Finding hope at SMH
These very difficult economic times affect all of us.
Since April, St. Margaret’s House has experienced a
sharp increase in the number of women and children seeking our services, which is a 30% increase
over the same time period last year. Even in September, traditionally a slower month because children
return to school, we served nearly 2000 people,
which is a 40% increase over September 2007.
People are hungry and they are worried about what
the winter will bring. Women who were employed
have had hours, benefits, and wages cut. Yet, at St.
Margaret’s House we still find signs of hope. We
have more women taking steps to improve their situations. The largest class ever will graduate from our
Bridges Out of Poverty program this month. The
Fashioning Our Lives empowerment program has
attracted a large group of women this fall. Others
are working with our caseworkers and utilizing the
Community Access Network to make concrete plans
to move forward. St. Margaret’s House continues to
meet immediate needs while offering comfort and
support to women who have very little but are trying
to make it through these tough times.
Even though our donors are also struggling with
higher prices for fuel and food and the effects of the
financial crisis, they have not abandoned our guests.
We recognize the sacrifice it takes to donate in these
financially frightening times. Please know that the
hope that your gift brings is a bright light for all of
us. We thank all of our donors for their generosity.
St. Margaret’s House
117 N. Lafayette Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 234-7795
www.stmargaretshouse.org
Lunch at St. Margaret’s House. Lunchtime brings the largest crowds of the day at SMH. With the
recent economic turbulence, SMH has seen guest visits increase more than 30% over last year.
Wish List
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Volunteers: cooks/kitchen helpers, receptionists
Coats for women (large sizes) and teens
Snow boots
New or used washer and dryer
Christmas gifts for women and teens
Toiletries, feminine hygiene products
Diapers: size 4, 5, 6
Blankets, towels, sheets
Operating funds
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
South Bend, IN
Permit No. 292