Legal & Financial Planning for Long-Term Care Workshop

With long-term care, there are many legal and financial planning issues for both caregivers and care receivers.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish and the Caregivers Assistance Network of Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio is offering a free workshop on Wednesday, February 29th from 7:00-8:30pm to address long-term care legal and financial planning issues.

Rebecca Goodman, an experienced elder law attorney, will address the financial and legal impact of caregiving on caregivers and care receivers, including Medicaid eligibility, living wills, the power of attorney, advance directives, and how an elder law attorney can help you.  She will offer practical suggestions on preparing well in advance to meet these challenges.

The workshop will be held at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish (Undercroft-Presentation Room) at 4366 Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211.

For more information, call Margaret Iannacci at 513-241-7745 or email at miannaci@catholiccharitiesswo.org.

Our 98th Anniversary

On February 14, 1914, the Bureau of Catholic Charities and Social Services was formed in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by Archbishop Henry Moeller to help with recovery and assistance needs created as the result of the 1913 flood.

The agency has provided a broad range of services since its inception.  In the early years, the staff worked closely with St. Vincent DePaul volunteers in providing material assistance for the poor and was concerned with providing services for immigrant families coming to America. The Bureau became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in February, 1924.

The programs of the agency have evolved over the years, but the mission stays the same – to respond to the teachings of Christ by providing services to advance the dignity and welfare of people in need.

On February 14, 2012, the agency celebrated its 98th Anniversary.  The main office staff had a small celebration to commemorate the occasion (see above) and presented Kathleen Donnellan, the agency’s Chief Executive Officer, with a 98th Anniversary cake (see left).

The agency will soon begin plans to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the agency on February 14, 2014.

Blankets to Warm Refugees

Refugees experience the warmth of Christ through blankets donated to Catholic Charities by parishoners in Cincinnati.

When refugees come to the United States, they are often arriving with very little in the way of possesssions.  They are arriving from United Nations refugee camps in war-torn and economically devastated places, such as Bhutan, Congo, Somalia and Ethiopia.  They are forced to flee their country of origin due to fear of death or persecution.  They are brought to the U.S., accepted by the federal government, and welcomed into communities throughout the nation.

They also tend to come from warm, tropical climates.

So, imagine what it must be like for them to end up in Cincinnati in the dead of winter.

One of the most needed and desired items for refugees in Cincinnati is a simple blanket – something to keep them from shivering through a Queen City winter’s night.

Responding to this need, the Refugee Resettlement Program of Catholic Charities decided to solicit the help of the parish community in our service area.  We asked parishes to spread the word that we needed new or gently used blankets to provide a warm bed for the incoming refugee families.

The response was tremendous.

More than thirteen parishes collected and donated blankets.  A number of generous individuals brought blankets anonymously to the agency’s offices.  St. Columban Parish (Loveland) provided a number of handmade blankets through its Quilting for a Cause initiative.  The children of St. Francis de Sales Parish (Lebanon) made a large number of colorful handmade fleece items (see above).

The warmth of the blankets is essential for our families but the warmth of the welcome from the local parishes is equally important.

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)

Empty Bowls of Champaign County

The 1st Annual Empty Bowls of Champaign County was very successful in raising funds for the Second Harvest Food Bank and awareness of the plight of the hungry in our community.

For the past 17 years, Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio, through its Second Harvest Food Bank, has held its “Empty Bowls” event at Wittenberg University.  The event raises money for the Food Bank, while raising awareness for those who go hungry . . . for those who have “empty bowls.”

The bowls are made and painted by Wittenberg students and sold to the benefactors attending the event.  Local restaurants are recruited to make and serve the soup that goes into the bowls.  The event has always been a great success.

This year, the Food Bank decided to hold a similar event at Urbana University.  On January 26th, 350 people attended the 1st Annual Empty Bowls of Champaign County.  450 bowls were made and painted by Urbana students and sold at the event (see above).  12 local restaurants served their signature soups, ranging in taste from the potato dill pickle soup to the roasted corn chowder.  Altogether, the restaurants served 75 gallons of soup.  Bobby D’s, a local bakery, pitched in and served more than 30 loaves of their garlic basil bread and dinner rolls.  Adding to the evening, the TAC Choir* performed for the diners. 

The event will be held again next year and the 18th Annual Wittenberg Empty Bowls event is planned for March 22nd.  For more information, contact Anna Plataniotis at (937) 325-8715 or aplataniotis@catholiccharitiesswo.org.

(The TAC Choir is made up of individuals who participate in the TAC Enterprises program, which is a not-for-profit organization that provides life skills, meaningful employment, and housing connections to enhance the lives of people with disabilities.)

Coming of Age

On Thursday, February 2nd, Mike Dutle was interviewed on the Impact Cincinnati program on WVXU.  He is the director of our Coming of Age program.  For the interview, go to this link and to learn more about the program go to this link.

The Coming of Age program is designed to help those who are 50+ to explore their future, as well as connect and contribute through paid and unpaid opportunities in their communities.  The program also provides training to nonprofits about how to build their capacity to capture the energy and expertise of this population; and programs for corporations to include in their retirement planning services for their employees.

For more information, please contact Mike Dutle at 513-241-7745 x2524 or mdutle@catholiccharitiesswo.org.

Secret Santa

A visit from Cincinnati’s “Secret Santa” was a source of light for some of the clients of Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio.

A Christmas gift usually takes the form of a brightly colored box, bag or odd shaped package beneath the tree. Sometimes, a gift comes in the form of an unexpected letter, phone call, hug or act of kindness.

Or the gift may be a visit from Santa himself.

Cincinnati’s “Secret Santa” surprised some of the clients of Catholic Charities program with a visit just before Christmas.  He came bearing a sack filled with clothing, toys, and even a high chair.

He also provided much needed cash to help our clients obtain necessities to get through the month, as well as other indispensable items.  Our clients used the money to buy food for their families and bus fare to get to and from work and school. One woman was delighted that she could purchase a knee brace for stability when she walks.

The gifts of  “Secret Santa” brought hope, joy, and a sense of belonging and connectedness, extending the spirit of Christmas far beyond Christmas Day.

New Parenting & Family Programs

The schedule has been set for some outstanding Catholic Charities SWO workshops for parents and family of all faiths.

For more information or to register, call Sandy Keiser, LISW-S, who is the Community Education Specialist & Consultant for Catholic Charities SouthWestern Ohio.  She can be reached at 513-241-7745 or skeiser@catholiccharitiesswo.org.   All programs are presented by Sandy.

Growing Up Again

One size fits all? Not with parenting. Learn a variety of ways to reach your children, balance your love with limits, and gain confidence as a parent in today’s complicated world.

The four-week course begins Thursday, January 12th and runs through February 2nd.  Each two-and-a-half hour class begins at 7:00pm at the Hyde Park Health Center, 3983 Rosslyn Drive.  The cost is $60/person which includes the book and the materials.

Better than Yelling

Do you find yourself yelling too much at your children, spouse or others? Have others told you that you are too angry?  Learn how to decrease yelling and build more satisfying relationships. Learn how to manage feelings and conflict, and ways to change your words and actions.

The two-hour workshop will be held on Tuesday, January 24th starting at 7:00pm at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Fairfield, 3050 Mack Road, in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.  The fee is $15/person.

Dealing with Job Loss for Family, Friends & Colleagues

Have you or someone you care about lost their job? Are you worried about the impact of job loss on your family? Obtain support from others in similar situations.  Learn what to say, how to provide support, and how to cope.

This two-hour workshop will be held on Thursday, February 16th starting at 7:00pm at the Holy Trinity Parish Undercroft on 2420 Drex Avenue, Norwood.  There is no fee for this program.  Open to family, friends and colleagues.  Co-presented with Mary Hurlburt, LifeSpan Ohio.

Responding to Tantrums Without Throwing One of Your Own

Do your children throw tantrums that leave you bewildered? Do you often lose your cool when your children lose theirs?  Learn how to help your children deal with their anger, disappointment and sadness. Learn how to react, what to say, and the underlying causes.

This two-hour workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 28th, starting at 7:00pm at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Fairfield, 3050 Mack Road in the 2nd Floor Conference Room.  The fee is $15/person.

Forgiveness: The Gateway to Peace

Is there someone in your life who did something to you that still causes pain and strife? Do you want to forgive but don’t know how? Explore the role of forgiveness in your life. Learn about the need for forgiveness, how to deal with the feelings, and how to take the first step.

This two-hour workshop will be held Thursday, March 8th starting at 7:00pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Heritage Hall East), 7820 Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Township. The fee is $15/person.

TIME-IN (When Time-Out Isn’t Working)

Has sending your child to time-out stopped working? Are you out of ideas on how to get your child to listen and follow directions? Lean the new tools available to positively and constructively discipline your children. Learn what to do, how to teach responsibility and problem solving, and how to follow-through.

This two-hour workshop will be held on Thursday, April 19th, starting at 7:00pm at Mercy Hospital Western Hills in Fitness Room B.  The fee is $15/person.

Job Loss Support Group

Are the ups & downs of looking for work keeping you awake at night? Questioning your value and importance? Discouraged by the lack of follow-up of employers?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Get new ideas, gain motivation, and build confidence through the Catholic Charities/Immaculate Heart of Mary Job Loss Support Group.  The group is open to all interested job seekers, regardless of faith or parish affiliation.  The 2012 group meets every other Wednesday beginning with January 4th.  Come to as many or few of the sessions as you like.

The group meets at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Lourdes Room), 7820 Beechmont Avenue, Anderson Township.  Each session runs from 7:30pm-9:00pm.

CEU credits are available for select programs through the Ohio Counselor & Social Worker Board.  Counselor Provider #RSX04001.  Social Work Provider #RSX028902.