Stories of Hope

Early Childhood Program Promotes Positive Behavior

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant Melanie Baker brings Wally, Molly, Tiny Turtle and Dina (all puppets) to area preschools, and the children are excited to learn. As the article in the Fall 2007 Catholic Charities newsletter shared, the lessons learned, which range from using manners to understanding feelings to making fiends, are part of a proven effective program, The Incredible Years, brought to children in Geauga County through the Catholic Charities Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program. The curriculum, which readies children for school, also has a component for parents.

The Incredible Years can also help to surface early onset of mental health issues for some children. One of the moms who participated in the program through her local daycare struggled with a 4-year-old son, who had been asked to leave two daycare facilities because of his disruptive behavior. Through participation in The Incredible Years, the family was referred to Marianna, who provided a clinical assessment, identified special needs and worked with the family to put a plan in place before the child entered school. “The Incredible Years can create a positive link to needed services,” remarks Marianna.

For more on the program, visit:
Catholic Charities of Geauga County
http://www.geauga.org/cathc.html
The Incredible Years

Welcoming Refugees from Burma

Oozim, a Burmese Buddhist monk, is a new arrival to the United States. He sits in the living room of his austere Lakewood apartment and through the assistance of an interpreter, tells his story. “I was a student in 1988 when the Burmese army came through our village to force us from our home and force others to join their army,” Oozim begins. It wasn’t until 1992 that Oozim left Burma for the Mae La refugee camp, one of seven camps on the Thai border where nearly 100,000 Karen people (one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Burma) have relocated.

At the camp, Oozim befriended monks who had a monastery inside Mae La. He continued his studies to finish college and was given the opportunity to live and study to become a monk at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand. Oozim arrived in Cleveland on July 6, 2007. He is part of a growing population of Burmese refugees assisted by the Catholic Charities Office of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS).

MRS will assist the refugees in many ways – from helping them secure employment to navigating their new life in America. “Many times, we wait for those teachable moments,” says Tom who will assist in the resettlement of nearly 200 refugees this year.

In addition to the Burmese, who have been systematically persecuted by their own government for nearly 50 years, refugees are arriving from the Soviet Union and several African countries. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds American Catholics confused over the assistance to those of other faith backgrounds that refugees are resettled not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic.

Other links of interest from this article:
Catholic Charities USA—Special Populations
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops-Rights of Migrants and Refugees
The Karen People of Burma

Caritas: Creating a Care Continuum

“This is exactly why we are gathered here today: Catholic Charities, Catholic Health Care, and Catholic Higher Education. The Church teaches us that we are the body of Christ. When one member of the body is hurting, the whole body aches. You and I must recognize that we have been called to a mission of caring, not for patients, clients, students, etc., but for human beings to whom Jesus Christ came to announce God’s love and concern. We need to collaborate in order to meet their needs. We can do this best by working together,” remarked Most Rev. Roger Gries, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland in his keynote address to more than 100 participants at Blazing Trails, a one-day conference dedicated to forming collaborative initiatives. The August event was organized by Caritas Connection, a collaborative effort with Catholic Charities that takes an innovative approach to meeting the health, educational and human service needs of the underserved in Northeast Ohio.

Fore more on the Caritas presentation, visit Caritas Connection

Enhanced Employment Services Provides Support

Typically, individuals referred by Geauga County Job & Family Services are single mothers who are not only chronically unemployed, but also deal with housing, transportation, daycare, legal and other significant issues. Catholic Charities Enhanced Employment & Training Services provides individualized attention that helps people obtain self-sufficiency by minimizing or eliminating barriers and finding long-term employment.

Recently, Pam assisted a young family from Middlefield who because of unemployment had lost their home and were living with the husband’s parents. Pam worked with a local company to place the husband in a factory position. Once he obtained his GED, he was hired on as a full-time machinist. The wife was placed in a training position at a local nursing home that was within walking distance of her residence. She was able to save enough money to buy a car and together they were able to move into a rental home of their own.

As the Enhanced Employment Service completes its third year of operation, more than sixty clients are on the current roster and many others have already benefited from the services offered. “People that we help want to give back,” says Pam. “Some donate interview clothes for others to wear or call with available job opportunities. There is satisfaction in seeing people move forward in their lives.”

To help, contact Pam Parker at 440-285-3537 ext. 16.

Matt Talbot for Women

“Matt Talbot is an intense residential substance abuse center for women who have failed at other treatments,” states Colleen. “Whenever space permits, minor children in mom’s custody are encouraged to live with their moms during the treatment period. Our goal is to keep the family as unified as possible.”

Women are usually referred to Matt Talbot from the courts or other social service agencies. Many suffer from mood or psychiatric disorders and have experienced some type of trauma. Matt Talbot provides individualized treatment, which includes parenting classes and weekly sessions with family members. The holistic approach involves pastoral care, medical care and links to community resources.

Laurie Miller was helped by Matt Talbot for Women and now gives back to the same program that supported her. With Laurie's assistance, Matt Talbot for Women is currently developing an alumna association for continual support and success stories. Donations for upcoming fundraising raffles are welcome and can be made by calling the Matt Talbot unit at 216-592-2800.

For more on Matt Talbot’s programs, visit: Matt Talbot for Women