Recently, Catholic Charities was graciously awarded a grant from Allamakee County Community Foundation. With the help of this funding,counselors Lisa Turner and Lori Eastwood had the opportunity to complete a week long training to become certified instructors in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Now certified, Lisa and Lori will begin implementing YMHFA in Allamakee County. Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
Love Your Neighbor
We live in a society in which we are often quick to judge, make assumptions, and stereotype. We can be unforgiving, shame, criticize, blame, and pass judgement on those we view as different than us. Different in the way they look, talk, dress, their socioeconomic status, and on…and…on. We put people on some kind of theoretical ranking system that allows us to conceive this person is more valuable, more respected, more loved, more intelligent…better.
Answer this question honestly, only you will know how you answer…When you hear the word “criminal” what are your thoughts, feelings? Did you immediately think something negative, put yourself and the “criminal” on that theoretical ranking system in which you were “higher” than them? Most likely, you didn’t associate the word “criminal” with “vulnerable.”
Now imagine being judged for one of your worst sins, mistakes, accidents. Imagine that nobody will hire you, give you a place to live, that you have nobody in your corner to rely on or make you feel less alone. This is what vulnerable looks like.
The truth is criminal offenders and ex-offenders can be some of the most vulnerable members of our society. These individuals are often released from incarceration to return to their communities with no employment, home, or support system. For ex-offenders, these barriers make overcoming their past and working toward a positive future challenging, to say the least. So here’s another question…who is this really hurting?
Because we live in a world where we look for justice in “an eye for an eye” mentality we easily forget who we seek “justice” against. Every “offender” is a son or daughter, father/mother, brother/sister, neighbor. They are loved. Remember, God loves the “sinner” just as much as He loves those who view themselves as better on that theoretical ranking system. So again, who is it really hurting when we create barriers for others to be successful community members?
When faced with these hard truths, it’s nice to retrieve an old quote from our beloved neighbor, Mr Rogers, “look for the helpers.” Fred Rogers’s famous advice comes from this story he shared with his young viewers. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” The “helpers” are Catholic Charities’ Jail & Prison Ministry / Re-entry Program vast network of INVALUABLE, CARING, SELFLESS volunteers. These are the helpers on the shore waving their bright lights for those in the darkness.
These volunteers not only share their time during visits with inmates in jails and prisons, but also upon their release. It is during this time that Catholic Charities’ volunteers walk beside these individuals by mentoring, guiding and wrapping a circle of support around them.
When someone feels supported, loved, that they matter, something amazing happens…they blossom. They begin to believe in themselves, believe they are capable of more, believe they are smarter than they thought. They begin to want a better life.
This ministry would not exist nor could it be as successful without the incredible volunteers who show up to make our world a better place for all. This ministry is growing and our hope is that we never have to turn anyone away who is looking for support, but we need your help. To learn more about our Jail & Prison Ministry/Re-Entry Program, please visit our website by clicking
here and/or to fill out a volunteer application, click
here. You may also contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Teresa King at
Teresa.King@dbqarch.org or by phone at (319) 272-2080.
“My mentors in the Jail & Prison Ministry Program genuinely took an interest in me, and it’s changed my life. I have a life today because of this program!” – Angel, a Jail & Prison Ministry participant
Summer-Time Fun!
Catholic Charities’ Ecumenical Tower residents recently had a fun visit from Character Campers of Two by Two Education. The children visited with residents and performed cheers and songs they’ve been working on about Two by Two’s core values. Two by Two’s services are committed to developing responsible citizens of strong character who care for, respect, and appreciate people, animals, and the environment.
Ecumenical Tower is an 88 unit senior/disabled adult apartment complex located in downtown Dubuque. To learn more about Ecumenical Tower and other Catholic Charities’ affordable housing properties, visit our website by clicking
here.
Catholic Charities would like to sincerely thank Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the many volunteers who supported this sale with donations of items, baked goods, purchases and precious time.
