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Christmas is Busy Time for Catholic Charities
By TATYANA NYBORG, A Contributing Writer
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers, OK
Dec 18 2004
"This time of the year, we have Christmas toy distribution and will
give about 1,000 food baskets and toys to 300 families," says Quentin
Henley, associate director of Catholic Charities, located on 739
North Denver street in Tulsa.
Another Catholic Charities project is collecting coats for
distribution. Yale Cleaners and TV Channel 6 provide support for the
project that distributes about 10,000 coats.
Most Catholic Charities' services are free. "We are amazed by peoples'
generosity," says Henley. "Almost all funding comes from donations of
Catholic and other communities. We have about 300 volunteers helping
throughout the year."
Catholic Charities offer free food and clothing. Every month they
donate clothing to about 17,000 households and food to 13,000
households.
Catholic Charities have several buildings in different locations
in Tulsa and other towns to hold the clothing and food as well as
residential homes for programs that support individuals and families
with special needs.
Families who need support to get back on their feet can live in St.
Elizabeth Lodge. Seven families live there presently, but it can
accommodate up to 12 families. Madonna House is a program for women
in crisis. Most of the women living there are expecting. It has
eight rooms with usually six or seven filled at a time. St. Joseph
residency is for people infected with HIV. The residents of the St.
Joseph home are provided with 24-hour care. There are currently 12
residents with a capacity of 13, and there is a waiting list.
Xavier Clinic is a free medical clinic supported by the Catholic
Charities. It is a joint program with Saint Francis hospital. Doctors
and nurses from the hospital volunteer their time to help people
without health insurance. Patients can consult with therapists once a
week, take pregnancy tests, and attend a once a month diabetic clinic.
Catholic Charities provided 1,400 hours of counseling for individuals
and families, and helped families adopt 12 children through their
adoption agency in 2004.
Marina Williams, a refugee resettlement and immigration coordinator
of the Catholic Charities, works through an agreement made between
the U.S. government and the Charities about financial, immigration
and housing help for refugees from other countries. Williams told
about incidences where she and Catholic Charities were able to help.
Fifty-two welders from India came to Oklahoma to work for an American
company. But the company violated their contracts. They were paid only
$2.00 per hour, and the owners of the company held their passports
and did not allow them to leave the factory. So Catholic Charities
helped the welders fight for their rights and get permanent residency
in the United States. "There are many people coming to the U.S. from
the war zones." Williams says. "For example, an Armenian refugee
from Azerbaijan came here recently. When the military conflict
in Nagorny Karabah between Azerbaijanians and Armenians started,
she left everything to escape. She and her son arrived in the United
States without a home, job or even passports. Catholic Charities helped
them with everything. They got Social Security numbers and immigration
papers so she could find a job. They lived in the St. Elizabeth lodge
and the Catholic Charities paid for their utilities, food, clothing,
transportation and health screening." Williams is now helping the
Indian welders to bring their families to the United States.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
By TATYANA NYBORG, A Contributing Writer
Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers, OK
Dec 18 2004
"This time of the year, we have Christmas toy distribution and will
give about 1,000 food baskets and toys to 300 families," says Quentin
Henley, associate director of Catholic Charities, located on 739
North Denver street in Tulsa.
Another Catholic Charities project is collecting coats for
distribution. Yale Cleaners and TV Channel 6 provide support for the
project that distributes about 10,000 coats.
Most Catholic Charities' services are free. "We are amazed by peoples'
generosity," says Henley. "Almost all funding comes from donations of
Catholic and other communities. We have about 300 volunteers helping
throughout the year."
Catholic Charities offer free food and clothing. Every month they
donate clothing to about 17,000 households and food to 13,000
households.
Catholic Charities have several buildings in different locations
in Tulsa and other towns to hold the clothing and food as well as
residential homes for programs that support individuals and families
with special needs.
Families who need support to get back on their feet can live in St.
Elizabeth Lodge. Seven families live there presently, but it can
accommodate up to 12 families. Madonna House is a program for women
in crisis. Most of the women living there are expecting. It has
eight rooms with usually six or seven filled at a time. St. Joseph
residency is for people infected with HIV. The residents of the St.
Joseph home are provided with 24-hour care. There are currently 12
residents with a capacity of 13, and there is a waiting list.
Xavier Clinic is a free medical clinic supported by the Catholic
Charities. It is a joint program with Saint Francis hospital. Doctors
and nurses from the hospital volunteer their time to help people
without health insurance. Patients can consult with therapists once a
week, take pregnancy tests, and attend a once a month diabetic clinic.
Catholic Charities provided 1,400 hours of counseling for individuals
and families, and helped families adopt 12 children through their
adoption agency in 2004.
Marina Williams, a refugee resettlement and immigration coordinator
of the Catholic Charities, works through an agreement made between
the U.S. government and the Charities about financial, immigration
and housing help for refugees from other countries. Williams told
about incidences where she and Catholic Charities were able to help.
Fifty-two welders from India came to Oklahoma to work for an American
company. But the company violated their contracts. They were paid only
$2.00 per hour, and the owners of the company held their passports
and did not allow them to leave the factory. So Catholic Charities
helped the welders fight for their rights and get permanent residency
in the United States. "There are many people coming to the U.S. from
the war zones." Williams says. "For example, an Armenian refugee
from Azerbaijan came here recently. When the military conflict
in Nagorny Karabah between Azerbaijanians and Armenians started,
she left everything to escape. She and her son arrived in the United
States without a home, job or even passports. Catholic Charities helped
them with everything. They got Social Security numbers and immigration
papers so she could find a job. They lived in the St. Elizabeth lodge
and the Catholic Charities paid for their utilities, food, clothing,
transportation and health screening." Williams is now helping the
Indian welders to bring their families to the United States.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress