Transitioning Out

St. Vincent de Paul operates a transitional shelter for elderly and disabled adults, called Ozanam Manor. It’s nice to hear stories of how the residents of the shelter can achieve a new level of success in their lives, from their own hard work as well as that of our caring staff and volunteers. Laura’s story is just one of many.

Laura was referred by an Outreach Specialist at the VA Medical Center in January 2010.  She is a veteran, was in the Army, and was honorably discharged.  She had become homeless due to lacking financial resources and mental and physical disabilities.  Laura came from an abusive background which led to her addictions to drugs and alcohol.  However, through extensive counseling and working her programs, she has maintained sobriety for over two years and eventually overcome her trauma.

As a result of her commitment to her programs and successfully achieving her goals, all previous criminal convictions have been expunged from her record.  After many months working with her therapist and medical doctors, Laura is now stable on her medication and was recently awarded Social Security Disability income.

During her tenure at Ozanam Manor, Laura met weekly with her case manager and the VA Outreach Specialist, and was active in daily peer group meetings and recreational therapy at the VA.  She will soon have new teeth from the VA and CASS dental clinic.  Laura successfully moved out of Ozanam Manor and into Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH).  She also found a kitten wandering the grounds of the shelter and adopted her when she moved out.  

Click the image to see a video of Laura

Finally, Laura participated in the Ozanam Manor/VFW Post 3513 Veteran Oral History Project.  When asked how Ozanam Manor has affected her situation and life today, she stated, “Ozanam Manor has helped me in my recovery.  I’ve got two years clean of all drugs and alcohol, and they are instrumental in me growing more in my recovery.  I know I’m on the right path so Ozanam Manor has really helped me grow up more, and I love it there.”

Laura was recently featured in a video about a group of volunteers who create special parties at Ozanam Manor. She’s the resident quoted at the end of this two minute video.

Vincentian Fresh Perspectives

A lot has been happening at St. Vincent de Paul, even in our supposedly “slow” season.

New programs, noteworthy visitors, great new relationships, and new ways of engaging with our supporters. We’ve been posting lovely photo albums, producing moving videos, and writing informative blog posts. But you may have missed something in an area that interests you, so I’ve compiled a little digest, by subject area, of things you can learn more about via our blog, Facebook page, and YouTube channel.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything – we can always add more. If you’d like to save this digest to…um…digest later, or to forward it to friends (hint, hint) its permanent URL is http://www.helpingthepoor.org/digests/digest05-11-fb-yt-bl. By the way, all of the events and activities below have happened in the last 30 days.

Feeding the Hungry

Blog post about a volunteer who is giving our homeless dining room guests (all 800 of them) a name tag on the day he volunteers.

Flowers that Feed Why give cut flowers when your loved one can have Flowers that Feed?

Easter Party in the Family Dining Room thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sodexo.

Health Care

Banner Health teaches kids about healthy eating

Homelessness

What are your thoughts about homeless individuals owning pets?

Homeless guest at main St. Vincent de Paul dining room sings the national anthem at an Arizona Diamondbacks game.

Open House at Ozanam Manor transitional shelter.

Volunteerism

SVdP Volunteer Profile series. Videos produced and narrated by Mary Jo West. Featured below are on Facebook page, others will be moving over soon, so that we can all write and read comments about these wonderful volunteers. For a sneak peak at others, see our YouTube channel.

• Andy Andreano
• Anita Tabcharani
• Ellen Lagerman

A Personnel Perspective, a series of short videos of staff members and volunteers telling little stories about their work at St. Vincent:

• Ed Dubiel
• Patricia Metrick
• Cassidy Zoellner

Blog post about a volunteer who is giving our homeless dining room guests (all 800 of them) a name tag on the day he volunteers.

Angels who make Curtains for Vincentian Fresh Perspectives home makeovers.

Corporate volunteers love making SVdP Tees, which raise money to fund our homeless programs.

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

SVdP volunteer Dick Warren wins Governor’s volunteerism award.

Home Makeovers

A Collection of Vincentian Fresh Perspectives Home Makeovers

Cesar’s New Bed Six year old gets his own bunk to recover from kidney surgery.

The Lemon Tree Mayo Clinic paints the house a disabled vet and his wife have lived in for over 50 years.

The Ice Cream Truck and the Girls Four girls who share a small room get their own beds.

Angels who make Curtains for Vincentian Fresh Perspectives home makeovers.

Thank You Nana A grandmother caring for her four granddaughters gets her house painted by a team of volunteers.

Events & Visitors

SVdP International President visits Phoenix for Western Regional Meeting

• Story
• Photos

Golf for Charity event, organized by the Our Lady of Joy Knights of Columbus, raises money for St. Vincent de Paul and has become one of the top charity events in the area.

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

Land of Ahhs honors new SVdP program, Vincentian Fresh Perspectives.

A Shred-A-Thon for Earth Day.

SVdP volunteer Dick Warren wins Governor’s volunteerism award.

Open House at Ozanam Manor transitional shelter.

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Video honoring a group of fabulous volunteers is in two parts:

• Part One
• Part Two

Thrift Stores

Video describes new Volunteer-run thrift store in Cottonwood, AZ.

A Shred-A-Thon for Earth Day.

Ozzie’s Furnishings grand re-opening.

Thought Provoking

Should a food box be handed to anyone who asks for it?

What are your thoughts on restricting restroom access to “customers only,” in public establishments?

What are your thoughts about homeless individuals owning pets?

Who from your childhood has had the greatest positive effect on the kind of person you are today?

Activities for Needy Families

Family Evening Meal calendar – May

Banner Health teaches kids about healthy eating

Easter Party in the Family Dining Room thanks to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sodexo.

Engaging our Supporters

SVdP “Friend-Raising” Campaign to meet new Facebook Fans

Liliana’s Birthday Wish

Hearts and Hands Day of family volunteering

Flowers that Feed Why give cut flowers when your loved one can have Flowers that Feed?

Hungry for more? There’s lots more great news, photos, and videos on St. Vincent de Paul’s website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, blog, and YouTube channel.

Phillip Tirone, who writes a blog on personal growth, volunteered last Monday in one of the St. Vincent dining rooms. He brought an idea we’ve never tried before — name tags for our homeless guests. Phillip writes about his experience, excerpted below, in his blog.

call me by my name

Remember to call me by my name

by Phillip Tirone

On Monday, I had an experience that changed my life.

I’ve been volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter, which serves thousands of homeless people per week. On the first day I volunteered, I went home feeling really haunted. Homeless people don’t feel like they have dignity. They feel invisible.

And the hard-to-admit truth is …

When I see homeless people on the street, I ignore them. I don’t think I’m alone in this. We ignore homeless people. We try not to look at them. We certainly don’t ask them their names.

It’s almost too sad to think about.

But The Checklist Manifesto inspired me to do something really simple. On Monday, I brought a big bag of nametags to St. Vincent de Paul. As people arrived for their meal, I asked them their names so I could give them nametags.

I handed out 427 nametags last Monday.

Some people didn’t want them, but about 80 percent did. In fact, at times people waited in line for a nametag, even though the food line was empty!

When I spelled a name wrong, some would say, “Don’t worry about it.”

I responded the same way every time: “No, I’m going to get it right; your name is important to me.”

Tears welled up in two people’s eyes. Both times, as these people walked away, my eyes filled with tears as well.

We instructed all the volunteers to start calling people by their first name, and afterward, the executive director, Steve Zabilski, said to me: “I’ve called more people by their first name today than I have in the last 10 years of working here.”

The badges gave them back their names. It gave them an identity, and it gave them some dignity.

And the nametags served as a checklist: Remember, these are people with hearts that feel the pain of life, just like I do.

A recent article in the Times Publications, which publishes several newspapers in the East Valley, featured one of St. Vincent de Paul’s hardest-working employees, Jackie Solares. Jackie is one of just three full time employees who work with hundreds of St. Vincent’s homeless clients, and with dozens of volunteers who help them, in the dynamic environment of the Special Works Ministries.

I’ve been involved with this program for 13 years, so Jackie and her coworkers are near and dear to my heart. Their energy, passion, and knowledge are amazing, as is their dedication to serving the poor and allowing others the opportunity to serve.

The Times article is reprinted below. The original article, by Shanna Hogan, with photographer Ross Martin, is available at http://www.timespublications.com/odd-jobs/odd-job-give-back.asp.

Refuse to do nothing -- Volunteer! (Photo by Ross Martin)

Giving Back

Hanging on the wall of Jackie Gill-Solares’ cramped office in the hallway of St. Vincent de Paul’s Phoenix ministry, is a painting that reads, “Refuse to do Nothing… Volunteer.”

It’s the motto by which Gill-Solares lives. For 20 years she worked as a barber, volunteering in her spare time for various charitable organizations. It was during one charitable endeavor, three years ago, while providing haircuts for the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul, that she decided to change her life and make giving back her full-time job.

“When I came here, I loved this ministry and what they do. I decided I’d be happier working here,” she says with a smile. “I haven’t regretted it since. It’s been wonderful.”

Each weekday hundreds of the Valley’s homeless and poverty-stricken arrive at the St. Vincent de Paul facility for a sack lunch, shower or a change of clothes. It’s Gill-Solares’ job to help them get back on their feet. As one of just three full-time employees, she wears a lot of hats, assisting in every department.

It’s a very busy and demanding job. And in this current economic downturn, an increasing number of people are finding themselves in need.

“I’m seeing more families and singles who have never been in this situation before, and they just look shell-shocked,” she says. “It’s very scary.”

Jackie Gill-Solares:

Age: 49

Years on the Job: Three

Job: Gill-Solares assists in several different departments including admissions, family services and job placement. “Each client is seen. We try to provide as much service as we can one-on-one.”

Training: “The training is really ongoing. It’s mainly on-the-job training… They didn’t hire me fore my administrative skills; they hired me for my people skills.”

Hours: St. Vincent de Paul provides services to the Valley’s homeless and working poor each weekday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gill-Solares spends the rest of her workday preparing for the following day’s crowd.

Best Part: “Knowing that I made a difference every day.”

Worst Part: “Having to say ‘no,’ that’s the hardest part. Whether it’s tough love or there’s nothing we can do, saying no is always difficult. But we never send anyone away empty-handed.”

Helping: An average of 137 people a day come to St. Vincent de Paul’s special ministry in Phoenix for assistance. Gill-Solares says that number is increasing.

Needed: St. Vincent de Paul is always in need of clothes, non-perishable food items and monetary donations. This time of year, jeans, sweat pants, work boots and new socks and underwear are in short supply. For more information on how to donate: www.stvincentdepaul.net.

Time goes by quickly when you’re doing something that’s needed and feels personally rewarding. As the director of shelter services at St. Vincent de Paul, I’m amazed that on July 1st, Ozanam Manor, our transitional housing program, will celebrate its 25th anniversary here in Phoenix.

During the past 25 years, with generous support from the community and help from many fine volunteers and staff, Ozanam Manor has been a refuge for over 3,000 elderly and disabled homeless men and women and offered an opportunity to help stabilize their lives and move into permanent homes. Those of us who have supported and worked for Ozanam Manor can be proud of what the program has accomplished.

Since its beginning with St. Vincent de Paul in 1985, Ozanam Manor has come a long way, not in size, but in its connections with the community. What started out with a 45-percent success rate for our clients has now grown to 62 percent overall, and our clients continue to become stronger people. From day one, our primary responsibility has been to create an environment of physical safety, dignity and respect for the residents, without which, it would be very difficult for the residents to make the major changes needed in their lives.

Perhaps that’s what sets Ozanam Manor apart from other transitional shelters—we offer so much more than a bed and three meals a day. It’s about connection and one-on-one attention. Whether someone is given an individualized plan of goals or simply a hug if they’re having a particularly bad day, the quality and expertise of our case managers and mentors has been crucial to Ozanam Manor’s success.

Although many of our residents have held jobs and raised families prior to becoming homeless, most were not aware of the programs and services available to help them with their situation. The effort needed to overcome homelessness is overwhelming and Ozanam Manor provides a safe, constructive setting to do just that. The case managers and mentors help residents feel well-connected and confident, and act as agents in helping them get back on their feet. This hands-on approach truly helps break down barriers and empower these men and women to better their lives, develop skills and transition back to independent living.

Ozanam Manor has succeeded because of the dedication of the staff, our volunteers and the residents alike. Everyone’s duty has been to work together and to look out for his or her neighbor. It’s wondrous to see how it all comes together when formerly homeless people regain confidence and start their lives over. They contact estranged family members, talk about new job or volunteer opportunities with enthusiasm, and they express most sincere appreciation for St. Vincent de Paul and its work.

As for me, working at a homeless shelter for 25 years is something I had never envisioned. I have seen a lot of good in people and have witnessed truly heartwarming stories of recovery. I have had great fun developing and implementing programs along side the staff and residents of Ozanam Manor. As we continue bettering the lives of people who are living in transitional housing, it is our hope that one day people will no longer need our services.

Click here to learn more about Ozanam Manor or click here to donate to this program today!

The economic crisis has challenged everyone to re-evaluate their lives and decide what’s truly important to them. And while “cutting back” on things like eating out or buying a new pair of shoes seems like an obvious answer to the average person, it leaves little room for the homeless and working poor in our country and here in Arizona.

The lack of resources among struggling families to buy food is a nationwide problem. As unemployment and food prices rose in 2008, the recession sent the nation into a downward spiral leaving millions of people below the federal poverty line.

Today, St. Vincent de Paul responds to more and more requests for assistance from families, many of whom have never before asked for help. From a small business owner who couldn’t meet payroll to a retired married couple who couldn’t pay their utility bill, anyone is susceptible to financial struggles. What’s more chilling are the countless men, women and children facing money shortages and food hardship right in our own backyard.

Teetering toward homelessness, these are the people stretching their money as far as possible and living paycheck-to-paycheck. With news of layoffs, budget cuts and home foreclosures hitting closer to home each and every day, the homeless and working poor are running out of options in their struggle for survival. So where do they turn?

St. Vincent de Paul Offers Answers

For nearly 65 years, St. Vincent de Paul has been a caring friend to those in need. However, in the last year St. Vincent de Paul has seen an influx of people in need of a nourishing meal, financial assistance, medical and dental care, or a bed to sleep in at Ozanam Manor.

With more than 90 cents of every dollar going directly to fund food programs and other services for the poor, St. Vincent de Paul is providing a hopeful alternative to those who need it most.

Food and Meal Programs

Armed with a powerhouse food bank that serves communities throughout Arizona, St. Vincent de Paul is able to help alleviate hunger among many individuals and families. The Society’s Food Reclamation Center collects and processes over nine million pounds of food from local grocery stores and community food drives a year. And with one of the largest industrial kitchens in the state and five charity dining rooms, St. Vincent de Paul provides more than 1.1 million hot meals to the homeless and working poor each year.

Conference Services

Another avenue St. Vincent de Paul uses to alleviate immediate hunger among individuals and families is through its Conferences of Charity. Made up of over 6,000 members and nearly 90 parishes, this community network of volunteers is the true heartbeat of St. Vincent de Paul; they experience firsthand the breadth of need in communities throughout central and northern Arizona.

Last year, more than $8.6 million in direct aid went to needy families and individuals for rent and utility assistance, preventing many of them from becoming homeless. With 51,525 home visits and 340,274 emergency food boxes distributed, the conferences of St. Vincent de Paul are changing lives every day. Its members are touched in ways they never thought possible by those they serve. Often, the Vincentian volunteers are moved to respond to the needs they see in unexpected ways.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog post to hear a few stories of those St. Vincent de Paul has helped.

The following article was written by Andrew Junker and appeared in the March 4, 2010 issue of The Catholic Sun.

Jeanne O’Brien had brought some photocopies of a book about joy.

Jeanne O’Brien, a St. Vincent de Paul volunteer, speaks with Roger, a homeless man living at Ozanam Manor. (Credit: Andrew Junker/CATHOLIC SUN)

She sat in a small, cramped office across from Roger, a homeless man who has been living at Ozanam Manor in downtown Phoenix. Roger fell down some stairs the week before and was having trouble moving around, so he kept a cane with him.

“You popped into my head when I read this, Roger,” O’Brien said. “You need some joy in your life.”

She slid the photocopies across the desk, and Roger read them for a couple of minutes. He slid them back toward her and shrugged.

“It’s worth pondering,” he said.

O’Brien wasn’t ready to let him dismiss it so easily.

“There is joy out there,” she said. “There are a lot of good things going on around you, and you need to try to find that place you can go to find joy.”

Roger said that all the places he used to find joy cost money — something he is in very short supply of these days. Then, the room was quiet for a few moments.

“Are you disappointed in me?” Roger asked.

“I’d just like to see you take some action,” O’Brien said. “Nothing’s going to happen until you make it happen.”

Click here to continue reading this story…

What a wonderful surprise last week when we received 590 pairs of gently used blue jeans for our Ministry to the Homeless.  This was the result of a denim drive that KSLX organized with the Phoenix Coyotes. 

We always need blue jeans – especially men’s jeans in sizes 30, 32 and 34. You see, every weekday morning, we help 100 or so people in our Ministry to the Homeless on our main Watkins Road campus.  Most of them are men.  They receive a little something to eat and then visit with a volunteer case manager to see what kind of help they might need.   Sometimes it’s a job referral, or help with transportation to a job, or work boots.  We also provide showers and clean clothes.

That’s where the blue jeans come in.  Jeans are the most requested clothing item. So these 590 pair of blue jeans are a most welcomed gift.  Thank you to KSLX and to the Phoenix Coyotes for making this happen. And to everyone who donated their blue jeans.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Ozanam Manor provides transitional housing to help homeless elderly and disabled homeless adults find decent affordable housing. It also helps serve St. Vincent de Paul’s primary goal to give people an opportunity to grow by serving the poor.

In the case I’m about to describe, two volunteer Ozanam Manor mentors needed all of the skills and compassion they could muster. The results were wonderful!

Cynthia’s husband of 13 years deserted her with three children, few job skills and a house she could not afford. She eventually lost her home to foreclosure. She became depressed, lost custody of her children and lived alone on the streets for years in shame and isolation. She said that it was her faith in God that kept her from taking her life. Finally, her family sent for her to come home to Phoenix, though they were not able to house her themselves. A domestic violence shelter referred her to Ozanam Manor where her case manager, Jamie Earl, referred her to two volunteer mentors based on her greatest needs.

The first was Jack Ryan.

Jack is a retired accountant who in his life had accumulated a great deal of wisdom about how the world works. He accompanied Cynthia to court and helped her to clear her driving record. The judged waived all fines and sentenced her to 300 community service hours, which Cynthia chose to complete at St. Vincent de Paul. Cynthia said that it was a “fulfilling experience” since she understood the struggles of homeless people so well.

Cynthia’s second mentor was Wanda Conte.

Wanda helped Cynthia set up a budget plan and clear up her credit history so that she would be able to rent an apartment. Under Wanda’s tutelage, Cynthia sent letters to her creditors. She arranged affordable payments where she could clear them from her credit history. During September 2008, after 11 months at Ozanam Manor, Cynthia was able to move into a HUD-subsidized apartment in Phoenix. Now that she is able to live independently, Cynthia said that she is very happy with her life and has her “joyful spirit” back. All of Cynthia’s family continues to lives in Phoenix and be supportive.