Fall Newsletter 2015

Fall 2015
Bev’s Key to Success
SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, Oct. 26th, 5 - 8 PM
Spirit Night at
Shane’s Rib Shack
3660 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
10% of sales go to
Catherine’s House
Thursday, Dec. 10th, 6 PM
Open House and
Car Raffle Drawing at
Catherine’s House
141 Mercy Drive, Belmont, NC
INSIDE:
BBQ Benefit.......................................2
Car Raffle Fundraiser........................2
Wish List...........................................2
Letter From Bev.................................3
Between 2 Rivers...............................3
Former resident Bev was excited to receive
a donated car through Catherine’s House.
However, the real “key” to her success
was her work ethic and a willingness to
participate fully in the classes and programs
at Catherine’s House. She also helped
her fellow residents in any way she could,
supporting them in meeting their goals while
working on her own. Bev is now working
full-time and living in her own apartment,
but she continues to participate at events
benefiting Catherine’s House. Recently, she
volunteered at the Caravan Summer Sizzlin’
BBQ Cook-off and provided a beautiful
testimonial from the stage of the Between 2
Rivers Music Festival at Lake Wylie. Read a
Letter From Bev on page 3.
Former resident Bev celebrates her new car with
Development Director Jacki McCarthy.
Arcadia Homes Renovates Playroom
Employees and tradesmen from Arcadia
Homes of Charlotte, NC donated their time,
skills and materials to prepare our playroom
for a complete makeover. The playroom,
used by approximately 40 children each
year, is a safe space where volunteers spend
time with our youngest residents while their
mothers attend counseling sessions, case
management, and classes. With assistance
from Arcadia Homes, this special room feels
more like a playroom in one’s home.
Girl Scout Mackenzie Harris will now focus
on the finishing touches of the room for
her Girl Scout Gold Project. Stay tuned
for photos of the finished project in our
next newsletter. Catherine’s House thanks
Arcadia Homes for generously donating
Arcadia Homes employee Jill Gadd watches
expertise and services.
a young resident on the playground while the
playroom renovations take place.
BBQ Benefit
Special thanks to Vince Hill and event sponsor
Waste Pro for inviting Catherine’s House to be the
beneficiary of the Caravan Summer Sizzlin’ BBQ
Cook-off. Several Catherine’s House board members
and volunteers (pictured below) had a great time
selling car raffle tickets and tasting the BBQ!
Cook-off organizer and Caravan Coffee owner Vince Hill accepts
a plaque of appreciation from Catherine’s House CEO Stan
Patterson.
WISH LIST
Most Needed Items:
Front row from left: Trish Tate, Lisa Griffin, Kyndra Griffin. Back
Row from left: Frank Traywick, Maria Swanson, Stan Patterson, Jacki
McCarthy, and Robert Allen (Waste Pro).
Used Cars (safe & drivable)
Trash Bags (15 & 30 gallon) · Kleenex
Cleaning Supplies · Pine Sol · Towels
Feminine Products · Clothing Hangers · Coffee
Freezer Meats · Canned Chicken, Turkey or Stew
Also Needed: Used Furniture (in good condition)
Baby Shampoo · Baby Lotion · Baby Powder
African American Hair Products · Flash Drives
Liquid Hand Soap · Freezer Bags · Silverware
Dish Soap · Furniture Polish · Pots and Pans
Gift Cards to Local Stores (Wal-mart,
Lowe’s Home Imrovement,
or Grocery Stores)
Questions? Call Sister Carmelita
at 704-825-9599.
Prefer to receive the newsletter by email?
Send a request to [email protected].
Car Raffle Fundraiser
Last year’s raffle winner Cathie Stout said, “I never
expected to win a car! I bought the raffle tickets to
support the great work that Catherine’s House does
for women and children in crisis.” This year’s winner
could be you, but if it’s not, please know that your
participation in our raffle has helped the life of a
woman or child living at Catherine’s House.
Tickets to win the 2015 Honda Civic LX are $5 each or
$25 for a book of 6 tickets. Tickets may be purchased
in two ways: (1) mail a check payable to Catherine’s
House with a note requesting tickets, or (2) purchase
with a credit card by visiting our website
www.catherineshouseinc.org and clicking on the
Donate tab. Catherine’s House sincerely thanks
sponsor McKenney-Salinas Honda of Gastonia, NC.
A Letter From Bev
Catherine’s House is not just a house; it was my home. I walked through
the door after being discharged from a medical facility. I had been in
an abusive marriage for 17 years. During that time, I was a financially
secure stay-at-home mom until my divorce 14 years ago. I suffered from
clinical and situational depression. I had no job, no money, no food and
no place to live – other than my car.
At admission to Catherine’s House, I was given a beautiful room, access
to bathroom and kitchen facilities, and food to prepare for myself. That
took care of my basic immediate needs. Most importantly, I was given
the emotional and educational support I needed to start my life anew.
Bev receives a do
nated car to repl
The opportunity to meet with a licensed social worker helped me to see
ace her previous
that died once sh
car
e
arrived at Cathe
how the choices I made affected my life and why I made those choices.
rine’s House.
Previously, abusive relationships destroyed my self-worth and my
ability to make good decisions. The counseling sessions, case management and group
sessions gave me the necessary tools to become independent. I learned that I
am a strong, hard-working, and a compassionate person.
The most important practical skill I learned was time management and
budgeting, specifically how to determine financial needs verses wants. Now,
I am paying all of my own living expenses! I am also gainfully employed,
and working with a former Catherine’s House resident who also successfully
completed the program.
I will tell you one thing that you must know. There are women from all
walks of life that pass through Catherine’s House. Some will take full
advantage of the opportunities given to them. Others may not, but I
guarantee that those who don’t will come back to the lessons they learned
at Catherine’s House during some point in their lives.
testimonial
ghtfully prepared
ou
th
r
he
s
ve
gi
Bev
val in August.
vers Music Festi
Ri
2
n
ee
tw
Be
e
at th
Lastly, special thanks to those who have donated to Catherine’s House.
Please know that you have touched someone’s life and helped to make it
so much better.
Between 2 Rivers Music Festival
The Between 2 Rivers Music Festival was a blast! This year’s event at
Lake Wylie’s Harbortowne Marina featured three awesome bands,
a kid’s zone complete with a huge water slide, and great food and
drink. A special highlight came when our former resident, Bev,
gave her heart-felt testimonial. Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and
silent auction raised $5,000 for Catherine’s House!
Special thanks to B2R organizer Paul Hendricks, silent auction
extraordinaire Cecelia Hendricks, committee members Eric and
Kristen Smothers, Brian Deahl, and all of the wonderful volunteers
and B2R Sponsors that made the festival possible. We hope you
will join us at the B2R Music Festival next year!
Organizers Paul and Cecelia Hendricks enjoy the silent
auction tent at the Between 2 Rivers Music Festival.
Catherine’s
Catherine
’s House
House
A Sisters of Mercy Ministry providing Transitional Housing for Homeless Women and Children
A Sisters of Mercy Ministry Providing Transitional Housing for
Women and Children who are Homeless
Non-Profit Org
US POSTAGE
PAID
Permit 3791
Charlotte, NC
Post Office Box 1633, Belmont, NC 28012
www.catherineshouseinc.org
Employees from Arcadia Homes donate time and materials to
renovate the playroom at Catherine’s House. Read more on page 1.
Young resident Stephen hugs volunteer babysitter Maddie Poll.
Win a Car and Help Our Residents!
See page 2 for more information about our annual fundraiser.
Special thanks to McKenney-Salinas Honda of Gastonia, NC.