Three nonprofit organizations are collaborating on a benefit concert title "Circle of Life." TALLAHASSEE – Three nonprofit organizations are collaborating on a benefit concert titled “Circle of Life” that will take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 8, at the Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The concert, which will feature international folk singer Rik “Totem Pole” Palieri, will benefit the Brehon Institute for Family Services, Inc., Catholic Charities and the Tallahassee Senior Center. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The public is invited. “Together, our three organizations serve people throughout life – from birth through the senior years. That’s how we came up with the title ‘Circle of Life,’” said Debra Herman, regional director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. “We all care so much about our clients, and this collaboration helps make our community stronger.” Palieri sings and performs both original and traditional songs on a variety of folk instruments, including the banjo, 6- and 12-string guitars, mouth bow, Native American flute and a collection of rare Polish bagpipes. He has performed with Bruce Springsteen, Pete Seeger, U. Utah Phillips and many others at concerts across the United States and in Australia, Germany, Poland, Scotland, France and Spain. “When we found out that Rik was going to be in Tallahassee, we jumped at the opportunity to make him a part of our fundraising efforts,” said Jackie Malone, executive director of the Brehon Institute. “The citizens of Tallahassee may not yet have heard of Rik Palieri, but once they hear him perform, they won’t ever forget him.” “Rik’s music appeals to the young and the young-at-heart,” said Sheila Salyer, manager and executive director of the Tallahassee Senior Center. “We are excited to host someone of his caliber for the benefit of people of all ages."” The Brehon Institute, a 501 (c)(3) corporation that is dedicated to improving the lives of children throughout the Florida Panhandle, will collect diapers, maternity and infant clothing and toiletries at the event for families in the local area. Catholic Charities encourages professional social work practice “to bring a sense of solidarity” among those in charitable ministries, and to be the “attorney for the poor.” The Tallahassee Senior Center programs enhance the independence and quality of life for seniors and their caregivers through educational, social, recreational and wellness opportunities. Tickets for the “Circle of Life” benefit concert are available for $10 in advance by calling the Tallahassee Senior Center, 891-4000; the Brehon Institute, 656-7110; or Catholic Charities, 222-2180. Some tickets will be available at the door for $12. During his three-day visit in Tallahassee, Palieri will also be performing at local schools and other venues. For a complete listing of his performance schedule, go to www.banjo.net or contact Kianta Key at kiantakey@yahoo.com. 2008-03-26T17:51:12-05:00 2008-04-10T00:00:00-05:00 66 4 1 0 2008-04-23T00:00:00-05:00 2008-04-23T10:34:48-05:00 69

On April 13, 2008 Catholic Charities was honored at the 1st Annual Peace Run and Party in Tallahassee! *Congratulations Catholic Charities!* April 2008 marks the 50th anniversay of the Peace Sign so it only makes sense to honor those that bring peace to the world through their hard work and dedication. Catholic Charities was honored along with over 100 other organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Guardian Ad Litem, and the Refuge House. The fun filled day highlighted the organizations and how they bring peace to their communities in their own particular way. The event was organized by Railroad Square and the local efforts of the Department of Peace legislation currently before Congress. 2008-03-10T13:37:17-05:00 2008-05-10T00:00:00-05:00 64 4 1 0 2008-04-23T00:00:00-05:00 2008-04-23T10:46:53-05:00 69

From entering courtrooms to retelling her painful story to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and advocates, Lucia, assisted by the CC Immigration and Refugee Program, stood up and confronted her fears. Lucia has turned her painful journey into a successful story of courage and strength. Last May, Lucia, a 35-year-old immigrant from Mexico was stabbed in the heart by her domestic partner. She was rushed to the hospital for two stab wounds on the chest, underwent emergency surgical intervention and survived the violent attack. She is back at her home and in stable condition, but has been advised by her doctors to avoid physical activity and stressful situations until her wounds heal. She is currently depending on her 16-year-old child’s assistance and moral support, and is cooperating with authorities in the prosecution of her attacker. For Lucia, who was undocumented at the time and did not speak English, dealing with the authorities, the legal system and the complicated process of reporting and helping prosecute a crime became an ordeal even harder than the crime itself. Fearing deportation from the country, Lucia had lived in the anonymity for several years. Suddenly exposing her vulnerability represented a terrifying challenge. “She has children to support, and returning to her home country, where she lacks job opportunities, was frightening,” said Vida Volkert, the Immigration Specialist at CC Tallahassee. From entering courtrooms to retelling her painful story to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and advocates, Lucia, assisted by the CC Immigration and Refugee Program, stood up and confronted her fears. Her cooperation assisted her local governments in the prosecution of the crime and entitled her to a “U” Visa, immigration protection that will allow her and her child to reside and work legally in the United States. “Unfortunately, we see many cases like this,” Volkert said, “but victims of major crimes such as attempted murder, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child exploitation are protected by immigration laws. We’re trying to raise awareness and let people know that it’s okay to come forward and report crime.” For more information contact CC’s Immigration and Refugee Program at 850-222-2180 X114. 2007-09-18T11:12:50-05:00 2007-12-18T00:00:00-06:00 56 4 1 0 2007-09-18T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69

Students are back in the classrooms, and thanks to a gigantic community effort hundreds of vulnerable children have a confident start this year. Students are back in the classrooms, and thanks to a gigantic community effort, part of the 2nd Annual Catholic Charities’ Christmas in July Campaign, hundreds of vulnerable children in Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla have a confident start this year, with all the school supplies they need to earn A’s and 100’s. “In conjunction with the Back to School Drive at Good Shepherd , we were able to raise over $6,000 worth of school supplies,” said Debra Herman, director of Catholic Charities in Tallahassee. Supplies were donated by parishioners from Good Shepherd Parish, Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Louis Parish, and St. Eugene Chapel. Community efforts included more than 50 volunteers who drove around town collecting, sorting, packing the back packs and delivering them to children in the communities. “The children were very grateful,” said Herman, “and we are happy that they went back to school with everything they needed. I thank everyone who was involved in this process.” Catholic Charities provides services regardless of religious or social background. Eighty-nine percent of Catholic Charities’ clients are not Catholic. 2007-09-18T11:07:50-05:00 2007-12-18T00:00:00-06:00 55 4 1 0 2007-09-18T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69

Leila Harris chose her internship at CC because she believes in the social mission of the program: social justice for all. Leila Harris’ first job at Catholic Charities in Tallahassee reminded her of the issues she had to address while working with the poor in the Philippines. Her first clients, a single mother with two young children, were hungry. “The children were crying ‘Mommy I’m hungry, I’m hungry’,” Harris said. “The mother told them to wait until we were done with the paperwork.” Harris, a social work graduate student at Florida State University who was pursuing her summer internship in the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Assistance Program, could not wait. She got up in the middle of the intake session, went to the pantry and brought back cookies and juice for the children. “That was a shocking experience to me because I come from a third world country, and I wondered, this also happens in America?” Harris said. Harris, 29, was born and raised in the Philippines. Prior to coming to the United States, she worked with a poverty alleviation program helping poor families in need of food and shelter, displaced indigenous people who lacked support from the government, and women fighting for their rights. “Through my internship I learned about poverty in America,” she said. “It was educational and it opened my eyes. I learned that poverty is everywhere, not only in Asia and Africa.” The number of Americans living in poverty in 2001 grew significantly to 32.9 million people. That is nearly one out of every eight people in the United States, reports Catholic Charities USA, based in Alexandria, VA. Harris chose her internship at CC because she believes in the social mission of the program: social justice for all. “My plan after graduation is to work with the administrative part of non-profit organizations. I hope to do more program development and management. I hope after school I’m confident to develop an appropriate program to address social justice.” Catholic Charities offers internships in social work, economic development, immigration and refugee resettlement, and counseling. Internships are open to all students at FAMU and FSU. Volunteers are welcome. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Glenda Ross at 850-222-2180 Ext:101. 2007-09-18T11:00:11-05:00 2007-12-18T00:00:00-06:00 54 4 1 0 2007-09-18T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69

Maury Hopkins has been promoted to Program Coordinator of the CC Emergency Assistance Program in Tallahassee. Maury Hopkins has been promoted to Program Coordinator of the CC Emergency Assistance Program in Tallahassee. “I am pleased that he has accepted this position,” said Debra Herman, Regional Director. “He truly understands the mission of the church and the direction we must pursue to help those in the community.” Hopkins, 63, brings more than 35 years of experience as a business owner, marketing representative and manager. His journey in human services includes three terms of duty as a combat medic in Vietnam, and more than five years as a volunteer for the CC Christmas Connection – a massive yearly event in Tallahassee helping nearly 700 families in distress in the Big Bend Area. “I hope to inspire people,” Hopkins said with confidence. “Case management success is a journey, not a destination, and I’m always on the journey, setting new goals.” One of his goals as coordinator is to take the emergency assistance program to a level where cases are assessed comprehensively. Budgeting literacy is part of this new approach. Originally from Hertford, NC, Hopkins attended Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, Florida. He excelled in baseball, and earned a full scholarship to Florida State University. He played varsity baseball for FSU while working on a degree in social welfare, and played professionally in the New York Mets Organization until he entered the military service. Hopkins is married to Sheila Hopkins, associate director for social concerns with the Florida Catholic Conference and former associate director of CC Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. They have three children, Marcus, 31, Christin, 29, and Catherine, 26. 2007-05-31T13:39:26-05:00 2007-07-31T00:00:00-05:00 38 4 1 0 2007-05-31T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69

Immigration specialist Vida Volkert is now certified to advise on immigration laws and assist with completion of forms for residency, self-petitions under the Violence against Women Act, and other immigration matters. The Immigration and Refugee program for CC Tallahassee Region has received approval from the Bureau of Immigration Appeals to represent immigrants before the Department of Homeland Security. "This is an exciting development that will allow our Immigration program to grow significantly to serve the immigrant population in the eastern region of the diocese," said Mark Dufva, CC's Executive Director. “Our office in Pensacola has already been accredited for a number of years, and is widely recognized as the busiest and most experienced immigration office in our region.” Immigration specialist Vida Volkert is now certified to advise clients on immigration laws and assist with completion of forms for residency, self-petitions under the Violence against Women Act, and other immigration matters. The service area covered by the Tallahassee regional office includes Leon, Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Liberty, Wakulla, and Gadsden counties. Accreditation comes at a critical moment when members of congress are pushing to reach agreement on immigration reform that may offer hundreds of undocumented immigrants a chance to become legal residents. 2007-05-31T13:36:22-05:00 2007-07-31T00:00:00-05:00 37 4 1 0 2007-05-31T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69

From learning how to balance a checkbook to the basic survival principles involved with earning,spending, saving and investing, the program is designed to assist clients learn basic skills in the management of personal financial affairs. Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning Tahissh Bond recalls the difficult days when, as a teenager with nine siblings and no electricity at home, her family had to go to bed early and pretend they were camping out. “Those were rough times,” Bond, a case worker with the Emergency Assistance program at Catholic Charities in Tallahassee says. “But when I tell that story to my clients, they are no longer intimidated, and that’s when they feel they can trust me.” This connection with clients is helping Bond teach financial literacy skills to individuals in dire straits more effectively. Those who come to the Catholic Charities office in need of quick emergency assistance, such as money for rent or utilities, now have to go trough a one-hour session of financial budgeting before they can be aided . “Some are embarrassed to be in a situation where their electricity or phone has been cut off, and when you tell them that they have to go through a financial budgeting class, they feel even more uncomfortable,” Bond says. “But when they realize they are not the only ones juggling with bills and money, that it could happen to anyone, they don’t feel so bad anymore, and that’s when they are ready to learn.” From learning how to balance a checkbook to the basic survival principles involved with earning,spending, saving and investing, the program is designed to assist clients in learning basic skills in the management of personal financial affairs. “We are trying to break the cycle of crisis,” says Debra Herman, CC Tallahassee’s Regional Director. “And we want to give clients more than emergency aid. We want to give them a hand-up.” The financial budgeting class is part of a new education program being implemented at the CC Emergency Assistance Program. Life skills and ESL classes are also being scheduled in the CC agenda. “We believe in giving clients the tools and education to help them become self-sufficient and financially independent,” Herman said. “We are working in collaboration with other agencies in the community in order to become more effective and accomplish a common goal.” The education component aims at reducing the number of emergency crises in the region, which in turn may help CC in its efforts to contribute with Catholic Charities USA’s ambitious campaign to reduce poverty in the USA by 50 percent by the year 2020. The number of Americans living in poverty in 2001 grew significantly to 32.9 million people. That is nearly one out of every eight people in the United States, reports Catholic Charities USA, based in Alexandria, VA. “Poverty is a social and moral concern that affects us all," Herman said. “It threatens the health and economic well being of our families and our nation as a whole.” *_--Vida Volkert_* 2007-05-31T13:32:09-05:00 2007-07-31T00:00:00-05:00 36 4 1 0 2007-05-31T00:00:00-05:00 2008-09-16T10:59:33-05:00 69