Finding my Hero - Saint Francis Shelter
Transcription
Finding my Hero - Saint Francis Shelter
sharing • FALL 2014 • Finding my Hero by Misty Rozier, shelter mom All my life I searched high and low for a hero. I sought one in my father and mother but was left wanting. I searched so long and hard until I gave up. I was convinced that the only hero to to be found was that of god and not of this earth. So when my family broke apart and lost everything it was to my faith I turned. I would pray every day for God to show me the way, be my light in the dark, to no avail. Slowly I felt the absoluteness of the darkness that had consumed my family, my heart, my soul. After a year of moving from state to state seeking employment and stable housing, we remained homeless. All our applications for shelters were turned down because they were full or our family was too big to accommodate. We lived out of a car that legally seated 5, but there was 6 of us. The kids got dressed and ready for school in the McDonald’s restroom. We slept in parking lots that were open 24/7 hoping not to be caught by the police because they could take our children away for sleeping in a cold car. I despaired that this was my life and that my children would suffer from my short comings. I prayed until my eyes filled with tears and I heard God tell me not to despair and that my hero had been found and would be sent my way. I was weary and tired but I believed. Two weeks later I had a meeting with Kim at St. Francis Shelter. Kim was very straight forward. She said “we want to help you but you have to be willing to help yourselves as well.” She asked if we were willing and we both replied “yes!” We were shown to our apartment . . . beds for everyone; even some food in the kitchen. My husband and I cried. The people at St. Francis are kind, loving and forgiving. St. Francis is my hero. The staff at St. Francis helped us find employment, housing assistance and taught us how to budget our money. For the first time I felt peace in a safe and stable environment. They gave us hope. Since we have been at St. Francis my husband has secured full-time employment and is up for a promotion. All of my children are enrolled in school with backpacks and school supplies thanks to St. Francis. We are very close to moving out on our own to become productive members of our community. None of that would have been possible without each and every person that supports St. Francis Shelter. You are all heroes. “Before we came to St. Francis Shelter we were living in a car. It was a terrible time for our family and I felt like giving up. Things got so much better after we came to St. Francis. I love helping in the St. Francis library after school. I just want to say thanks to all the people who support St. Francis. ” - Kaili, shelter teen “A Safe Place for Families” Kim’s Corner “Saddle Up” was a 10 gallon hat success! William and Deborah Voves, Jim Green and Kathy LelackGreen and Randy and Cindy Johnson ”cowboy up” for a good time at our “Saddle Up” event. On a very warm Sunday afternoon in September, over 200 people “Saddled Up to Support St. Francis Shelter” at our annual fall fundraiser graciously hosted by Ken and Sheila Harrison at their spectacular Crystal Springs Ranch. Guests enjoyed an evening of delicious food, specialty drinks, live music and inspiring stories. Judge Lindsay Partridge spoke of his sincere belief in our programs that provide the structure and support homeless families need to ensure that their children are safe and secure. He said, “Without St. Francis Shelter there would be a huge hole left in our community.” Our hostess Sheila Harrison shares a laugh with St. Francis Shelter founder, Virginia McClure, at the ranch. 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christopher J. Casebeer, Chair Kim Hoyt, Vice Chair Marilyn Boman, Treasurer Brena Moyer Lopez, Secretary Scott Daniels Pete DeMuniz Jamie Diehl Dee Emmerson Eric Fiskum Lucinda Jackson Nicole Kennedy Diana Ramallo Aimee Steketee Misty Rozier, a shelter mom, (see full story page 1) described her family’s journey from living in a car to fulfilling her dream of moving into a house thanks to SFS. Board Chair Christopher Casebeer emphasized the ever-growing waiting list for our shelter due to the closure of several Salem-area shelters this past year. He concluded with the good news that 92% of the families who live at SFS are able to move into permanent, safe and stable housing. We are so grateful to our donors and volunteers for their vital contributions to fulfilling our mission and making our fall fundraiser an overwhelming success. “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” Irish Proverb Kimberly Lemman, Executive Director Hats Off to Our Sponsors! Welcome New Board Member Jamie Diehl “Ed and I support St Francis Shelter because we feel strongly that all children belong with their family in a safe environment. St. Francis Shelter helps so many families get a new start…together.” - Jamie Diehl Ken and Sheila Harrison “Our mission is to provide safe, temporary housing for families with children by working in solidarity to recognize their innate worth and dignity.” thank you! Your kindness makes safe shelter a reality for vulnerable families. Special thanks to all of those who volunteered or donated to our shelter from May - October. GRANTS City of Salem General Fund Community 101, Oregon Community Foundation The Hitchman Foundation Kubin Fund of the Salem Foundation Trust Management Corp. United Way of the Mid Willamette Valley BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS AKT CPAs and Business Consultants Amadeus Cafe Caruso Produce CD Redding Construction Concept Systems DeMuniz Investigations Ferder, Casebeer, French & Thompson Fischer Hayes & Associates Fiskum Properties, Prudential Real Estate Professionals Garrett Hemann Robertson Goldwing Road Riders’ Association Harrison Industries The Home Theater Company Drs. Howerton, Hopkin and Kennedy Kaiser Foundation Knights of Columbus 5060 Mission Properties Mountain West Investment Corporation Overhead Door Company of Salem PepsiCo Foundation Salem Foundation - Kubin Salem Rotary Club The Shutterbug Southside Speakeasy Steketee Custom Homes INDIVIDUALS Patrice Altenhofen Dave Anctil Neil and Martha Anderson Barbara Barrie James and Lonna Bauer Delana and Russ Beaton Sibylle and Richard Beck Clara Bricher Marilyn and Don Boman Bob and Debbie Boss Bill Brandt and Lois Cole Pat Brimm Jerome Butler Kathleen and Peter Callero Nic and Megan Callero, in honor of Kathleen Callero Sam Callero Kevin and Eliza Canty-Jones Jeff and Aimee Carter Cathy Caruso Dorothy Caruso Joe Caruso, Caruso Produce, Inc. Judy Caruso Kristin Caruso Mike and Amy Caruso Tom and Anne Caruso Chris and Sara Casebeer Scott and Carrie Casebeer Miriam Chipps Ardis Christensen Karen Clevering John and Cindy Collier Rick and Kirsten Collins Karen F Cook Sandra Cooper Scott and Margaret Daniels Kathy and Al Davidson Larry Davis Shawn and Kelly Davison Diane DeFuria Michael DeFuria, in honor of Kathleen DeFuria Lisa DeMille Paul and Mary DeMuniz Pete DeMuniz Ed and Jamie Diehl Leslie and Peter Dinsdale Gene and Elesa Doll Ron and Diane Donaca Charlotte Dyke Mary and David Edmonds Brian Edwards and Diane Hyland-Edwards Edna Ehrensing Dee Emmerson and Barry Ahlstrom Kendel Emmerson Doug and Leigh Enger Monica Nuno Ernst Ferder, Casebeer, French & Thompson, LLP Tonk Fischer Jack and Nancy Fischer Eric and Holly Fiskum Nan and Steve Forster Avis Telders Jason and Mary Thompson Darcy Toronto Jeff and Pam Vale Donald and Patricia Van Hees Greta Van Veen Angelica Vega Anthony Vena Deborah and William Voves Doug Walker Carol Wong Pete and Kelly Yunker Zenon Zygmont A huge thank you to our friends from “Lydia’s Love” who provide amazing birthday parties for our kids each time they celebrate a birthday. This month the Reptile Man visited and a “slithery” fun time was had by all! Terry and Tom Gallagher William and Patricia Galligan John and Dolores Gander Cathy Golly-Dunlap Michael and Leann Goodenberger Michael Grainey Dorothy Green Jim Green Lester Green Kay Hamill Ken and Sheila Harrison Kevin and Sarah Harrison Carol Hawley, in memory of Warren Hawley Bill Hayden Gene Heinle and Rod Rumford Carl and Jaime Heitz John and Kathy Hemann Dorothy Henry Joe and Peggy Herb Kelly and Dan Herb Maxine Higgins Monica Holland Dale Hoppe Claudia Howells Ronald Iseri Lucinda and Ron Jackson, in memory of Charles Delph Troy Jackson and David Such Mary and Art James Bruce and Cathy Jarman Steve and Donna Karter Kerisa Kauer Rob and Sue Keith Virginia McClure David McElfresh Bill and Judy Meier T. R. Melton Jo Ann Miller Judith Mills KK and Patrick Monaghan Mike and Carrie Mosar Lee and Carla Moyer Len and DeAnn Munks Bob and Kerri Myers Jim Nicholaou Marilyn Nicholaou Greg Oldham Jacqueline Olmstead Gary Olsen-Hasek Charles and Susan Ortiz Lindsay and Sherri Partridge Gary and Catherine Pederson Joyce and Ron Peters Barbara Phillips Karen Piter Lester Purcell Corinne and Parke Raffensperger Diana Ramallo, Amadeus Restaurant Wally and Kathrine Reed Marni and Cory Redding Jamese Rhoades Neil and Kathleen Rogerson Betty Ann Rohde Joseph Rossitto Christine Ruffing Louise Rupp A very special thank you to Marilyn Boman who has served on our Board of Directors for over 20 years. She also spends time in our office each week, taking care of bookkeeping duties. Most recently Marilyn created and donated this beautiful quilt, which we raffled off at our fall “Saddle Up” event. We are so grateful to Marilyn for her years of dedicated service to the families at St. Francis Shelter. (pictured with her daughter Teresa Aki) Nicole and Gabe Kennedy Chuck and Karen Kimball Marlene and Ronald Krebs Linda and Edward Krick Ron and Leslee Lahey John and Lori Lassen Brenda Lawrence Bob Ledford Kathy Lelack-Green Bill and Genna Lemman Phil and Kim Lemman Jim and Deborah Long Mike and Susan Long Brena and Francisco Lopez Gayle Lundmark Nancy and Bill MacMorris-Adix Kay Martens Phil and Dana McBrien Parviz and Maudie Samiee Nancy and Stephen Sanchez Art and Marge Schmidt Charlene Schnurbusch Sidney Shuptrine Chris and Linnae Sielicky Dan and Rachel Smith Paula and Jim Stageman Carl and Annie Stecker Miriam Steketee Charlie and Aimee Steketee Ellen and Tom Stevens, in honor of Kim Lemman Jeff and Robin Stoutt Paul Stratman Don and Susan Stuhr Patricia Swigart Layne and Tiffera Tarbox IN-KIND DONATIONS (THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE) Chelsea Evans Dorothy Caruso Judy Caruso Nan and Steve Forster Dorene Freshner Samantha Harrington Carol Hawley Carl and Jaime Heitz Mary and Wayne Helms Kelly and Dan Herb Steve Herb Marcia Hutchins Mary Ann and Darrell Jabin Lucinda and Ron Jackson Russ and Annie Jones Nicole and Gabe Kennedy Bob Ledford Bill and Genna Lemman Kim and Phil Lemman Robin and Richard Lieurance Rob Melton Jack Palmer Tiffany Putman Shelly Quarry Julie and Mike Rohwer Greg and Penny Smith Lisa Solterbeck Paula and Jim Stageman Don and Sue Stuhr Debbie and Andy Vobora VOLUNTEERS Teresa Aki Jasmine Barella Tillie Barella Blanchet High School Students William Barnes Photography Don and Marilyn Boman Eric and Kim Boman, Grapes and Barley Debbie Boss Bob Buckley Kathleen and Peter Callero Kevin Canty-Jones Cathy Caruso Dorothy Caruso Kristin Caruso Judy Caruso Stephen and Marcia Chapter Delinda Coburn Larry Davis Jamie Diehl Ron and Diane Donaca Jayne Downing Dee Emmerson Nan and Steve Forster Janet Graham Sheila Harrison Jack Helterline Spencer Helterline Kelly Herb Marcia Hutchins Ron and Lucinda Jackson Brenda James Br. Richard LeFure Phil Lemman Martin Lopez Oscar Lopez Regina Meuller Lesa Milldrum Nestor Pavon Norm and Karen Roberge Genny Rogerson Jeanneil Rogerson Melodie Roth Jenny Sizzler Band Paula and Dr. Jim Stageman Cary Valencia Eric Wellard NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SI PRINT 1820 Berry Street SE • Salem, Oregon 97302 sfssalem.org • 503-588-0428 If you want to add someone to our mailing list, or if you received multiple copies, please contact Kim Lemman at 503-588-0428 or [email protected]. Thank you. Holiday Help is as Easy as 1-2-3 1 Donate an item from our Winter Wish List c • Blankets and sheet sets for twin and full size beds • Gasoline gift cards • Mixing bowl sets • Grocery gift cards • First aid kits 2 Embrace Families with a Monthly Gift v $10 $25 $50 $100 $250 new pillows healthy snacks for Library time kitchen essentials for 1 family case management for 1 family utility bills for 3 families 3 Sponsor a Child for the Holidays b If you would like to help make the holidays merry for a shelter child, please call our office at 503-588-0428 or email [email protected]. We wil match your generosity with the special holiday needs of a shelter child.