Providence House Heartline PROVIDENCE HOUSE, INC.
VOLUME XXI. NO.1 February 2006
Forging New Directions By Sister Janet Kinney, CSJ, Executive Director
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he beginning of a New Year always gives one pause, and the perennial questions and reflections seem to surface: What have I accomplished, wished I had done differently? Where do I see myself in the months ahead – where might I put my best energy in 2006? Looking back at the past 12 months, certainly our world saw tremendous challenges – national disasters across the globe and in our country, the continuation of the war in Iraq, the consequent escalation of energy costs and the ever present need for affordable housing. The women and children served by Providence House have been particularly affected by this last challenge – the search for a place they can call home. With the decline of housing subsidy programs available, it has become increasingly difficult to find safe and affordable apartments, yet Providence House in this past year has been successful in stabilizing the living
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situations of 157 women and 136 children, helping them to secure needed services and jobs, and ultimately move into their own apartments. While we have prided ourselves on the quality of the transitional and permanent housing we have been able to provide to these women and hundreds others in years past, we know we need to do more to address the growing rehousing challenge in the New York metropolitan area, especially for the women who are transitioning from prison. As Providence House looks ahead to where to put “our best energy in 2006” we have committed ourselves to being part of the solution for these women as they search for suitable apartments. With the full support of the Board of Directors, Providence House is in the development stage of a supportive permanent housing program comprised of 45 apartments that will serve 35 single women and 10 families who are
homeless and/or have incarceration histories. An on-site service team of professionals will assist these women as they make the transition to independent living. More on this new direction will follow as the work progresses! We know that many more programs like this are needed to bridge the widening gap for affordable and supportive housing, and we were heartened to hear this past fall that Mayor Bloomberg & Governor Pataki have committed themselves to a new New York/New York III agreement, a $1 billion pact to finance and develop 9,000 new units of supportive housing in New York City. It couldn’t have happened sooner! With your support, Providence House will remain true to its mission and continue to be “part of the solution.” Thank you for joining us in our quest!
NEW PROGRAMS IN PARK SLOPE
ou may recall that 3 years ago, we were looking for a new location for Providence House II, which was then located in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant. Through a most providential conversation we became acquainted with Sister Kathleen Toner, IHM the Director and Founder of Samaritan House of Park Slope, an organization with a mission very similar to our own. Sister Kathy was looking for an agency that would be interested in renting one of Samaritan House’s three buildings for the purpose of providing transitional housing to women and their families. We all know the happy ending for Providence House to this story – several conversations later, and with some quick renovations and a complete interior paint job, the Sisters, staff, women and families of Providence House II moved to Prospect Avenue, Park Slope, just days before Labor Day in 2003. Sadly for all who knew her, Sister Kathy, who had been battling a serious medical illness for many years, passed away
that November. After her death, the Board of Directors of Samaritan House grappled with how best the work that Sister Kathy had begun could continue and be administered. Because of the many similarities in our mission and work, this past fall of 2005, the two organizations forged an agreement whereby Providence House would assume the management of the programs of Samaritan House. In addition to the house at Prospect Avenue where Providence House II relocated, two additional houses in Park Slope that provide permanent housing for 5 tenants are also being managed by Providence House. Providence House was pleased to honor the memory of Sister Kathy Toner at its People of Hope Celebration in June 2005, recognizing her many years of ministry and service to the care of women and children. We were delighted that Sister Maureen Cryan, IHM and Sister Kathy’s family could be present to accept the honor in her memory.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
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hank you for your prayers and support in sponsoring my run for Providence House in the 2005 ING New York City Marathon—26.2 Miles for 26.2 Years of Service. Your generous response to my Marathon Appeal helped raise more than $13,000 for the women and children we shelter. 
Many thanks for all the joy you bring to us during the Holiday Season!
THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DRIVE PARTICIPANTS Holy Family School Long Island University- HEOP Program Mary Louis Academy Our Lady of Guadalupe School Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing Resurrection Montessori School The College of New Rochelle St. Athanasius School St. Bernadette School/Church St. Charles Borromeo School St. Columba’s RC Church St. Edmund Preparatory High St. Francis Cabrini St. Joseph’s College St. Joseph’s High School St. Kevin School St. Luke’s School St. Mark’s Parrish St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church St. Robert Bellermine School St. Rose of Lima School Limited Brands Rabbi Laurie Phillips and the Mandel Center for Jewish Education Myra Peters The Cody Family
GRANTS RTS Family Foundation $50,000 Fidelis Care $45,076 Switzer Foundation $6,000 Hyde & Watson Foundation $5,000 Lifeline Ministry Fund $5,000 D’Angelo Family Foundation 5,000 Vogler Foundation $3,000 Many thanks to the foundations corporations, donors, friends and families who continue to support Providence House in its mission to serve homeless women and children. To Learn More on How You Can Support Providence House, Please Visit our Website: www.providencehouse.org
NEW ADDITIONS TO PROVIDENCE HOUSE STAFF
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rovidence House welcomed Jose Ortiz as its Director of Development in September 2005. Jose has had extensive experience in the nonprofit arena, most recently as a Development Officer at the Cancer Research Institute, and prior to that in the Office of Development of the Archdiocese of New York where he worked on special projects and endowment efforts. With this issue, Jose’s column, Development Notes will keep you updated on Providence House’s fundraising efforts as well as suggesting small but significant ways that you can help advance our mission of serving homeless and formerly incarcerated women and their children.
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ylvia SamiltonBaker, MA is the new Program Director at Providence House 4 in New Rochelle. She brings many years of experience in the area of human services and social work. She has experience in many areas, including substance abuse, immunology (HIV/AIDS), homelessness and has worked with diverse populations throughout the years. She is also a yoga practitioner with over 20 years of experience.
DEVELOPMENT NOTES Tell a friend about Providence House You are our best fundraiser because you know of Providence House’s accomplishments in helping homeless women and their families get back on their feet. Tell a friend about us, share this newsletter and encourage them to consider helping Providence House. If you need additional newsletters or donation envelopes, contact our Development office. Matching Gifts Does your place of employment offer an Employee Matching Gift Program? Your gift to Providence House can be doubled or even tripled – Find out! You can check if your company matches gifts by visiting the following website: http://www.case.org/ and click on the Matching Gifts section.
PROVIDENCE HOUSE, INC. 703 Lexington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11221 Website: www.providencehouse.org Email: info@providencehouse.org (718) 455-0197 phone (718) 455-0692 fax
Remember Providence House in your Will A bequest does not have to be large and is a meaningful way of ensuring Providence House’s future. We encourage you to talk to your attorney about making or updating your will. Providence House is grateful for any gift you can make through a bequest, no matter the amount. Let Us Know If You Move Please remember to drop a note if you move. It will ensure that you get the Providence House newsletter in a timely manner and it will help us save on unnecessary postage costs. Contact Jose Ortiz, Director of Development 718-455-0197, ext. #19 or email at ortizj@providencehouse.org
WOMEN SPEAK Taking Step to A Better Life By, Tiffanylee Adorno
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rowing up in a life of struggles is hard. I’m about to hit my 20th birthday and hitting a few bumps in the road. I live with my son Devin in Providence House. It was a sign of relief when I found out I was eligible for temporary housing. At least I knew I had a place to stay for a while with my son while I get some help in getting my life situated. In July of 2005, I took a step forward and asked for temporary housing. I ended up at the EAU and then I was sent to a hotel overnight. The next morning I was taken to Providence House. I was greeted by many nice smiles. I didn't know what to expect, but I was given a beautiful 1 bedroom apartment. I received a box filled with basic apartment needs and food until I was able to open my public assistance case. Angela Sims, the Housing Specialist and Shahara Marerro the Case Manager, have been very helpful to me. I am receiving assistance with finding housing, jobs, and information on other programs that will be helpful to me. My son also goes to the Providence House Child Care Center. God has blessed me with Providence House. I feel safe and am realizing that I can become a stronger person for myself and family. I am in the processing of looking for colleges to attend so that I can earn a degree, so that when I leave Providence House I can be prepared for what’s ahead of me. I’m grateful for everything that has happened here. Without Providence House I would not know where I would be today. NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BROOKLYN, NY 11256 PERMIT NO. 84