Franciscan Outreach Association 

1645 W. LeMoyne Street, Chicago, IL 60622

Telephone (773)278-6724

 

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Soup Kitchen

Case Management

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What's New?

What's New Archives for 

May 7 to July 30, 2001

For the week of July 30, 2001 ~ Our mission statement

     Our mission statement reflects the spirit of what we do at Franciscan Outreach Association. We created it during our strategic planning process when we took a good look at what we do and why we do it. 

We, Franciscan Outreach Association, strive

to be the heart and hands of Jesus

 in the Spirit of the Gospel

and St. Francis of Assisi.

We provide for basic human needs

such as food, shelter, encouragement

and assistance in creating a better life

for the homeless and marginalized,

especially those who are underserved.

We pledge to walk with them

by being vulnerable,

by advocating for them,

and by being reliable.

We wish to provide an open, respectful,

welcoming, secure environment,

and to affirm the dignity of our guests.

We, the donors, board members, staff, 

volunteers, and guests,

are looking for the transformation

of ourselves and our society.

Although our programs have changed according to the needs of our guests, our respect for our guests and our determination to help where we are needed most stays the same. 

For the week of July 23, 2001 - Buy-A-Supply for the homeless without leaving your computer! 

We've updated our Buy-A-Supply page to make it even easier for you to help the homeless live with dignity. Here's how it works: Choose the item you'd like to purchase for the homeless, make a donation on-line, and we will go to the store and buy that item on your behalf. You'll know that your money is being used to buy the items you choose. We'll even send you a copy of the receipt if you wish!

Click here to see our Buy-A-Supply page. 

For the week of July 16, 2001 ~ Some facts from our quarterly survey of shelter guests

     On June 28 we conducted our quarterly survey of 250 guests at our shelter. Here are some facts we uncovered: 

Case Management Services:

• 52% of the women are working with a case manager

• 20% of the men are working with a case manager

Criminal background:

• 22% reported having a previous felony conviction 

• 78% did not report a previous felony conviction

Drug or alcohol use:

    We asked: "When was the last time you used drugs or alcohol?" Of 250 respondents, 169 responses were given. The answers are: 

Thirty-two percent (81 guests) did not answer the question. 

Veterans:

• 20% of our male guests (52 of 215 men) are veterans.

How did these statistics match what you expected? Did anything surprise you? Send us an email.

For the Week of July 9, 2001 ~ Introducing ... A new case manager!

At Franciscan Outreach, we offer more than just food and shelter. A vital part of our ministry is to give our homeless guests the help they need to improve their lives. 

Our case managers sit down with our guests one-on-one and help them identify their needs, set priorities, and connect with whatever services they need. Our guests can find help for substance abuse problems, mental illness, medical needs, housing, employment, clothing, and a variety of other issues. 

With Bro. Don's recent promotion to full-time Assistant Manager of the Marquard Center, we had a part-time position available for a case manager. With a little help from a generous foundation, we were able to make it into a full-time position.

Our Case Management Program is so successful that we have added another case manager, Anne Grenchus.  

Click here for a photo of Anne. 

Anne is a former full time volunteer who worked with us for one year in our soup kitchen and returned to volunteer for a  summer as an assistant in our case management department. 

Anne visits our soup kitchen and the women's dorm in the evenings every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. She introduces herself to the guests and invites them to set appointments with her at her Marquard Center office. She, like Sr. Pam and Joe, helps our guests find whatever they need to build a better life. 

Please keep Anne and our guests in your prayers!

For the Week of July 2, 2001 ~ Dignity and the Value of a Shower

Have you ever experienced circumstances beyond your control that prevented you from taking a shower? Illness or an extended camping trip might be two reasons why a non-homeless person might be prevented from taking a shower for several days. One problem with being homeless is that showers are hard to come by.

One of the lesser known services we provide at the Marquard Center is showers. Our homeless guests are invited to come to our Marquard Center to take a shower on Mondays and Fridays. We provide soap, shampoo, towels, and other necessary items.

Roy keeps the statistics on how many are taken at the Marquard Center. Last year, the number was  984. Here are the number of showers taken by month so far this year.  

At the shelter, we estimate that an additional 40,000 showers are taken by our guests. 

These showers are important in helping our guests have a positive self image. For many of our guests, they are critical to successfully getting a job or entering into a transitional program. We also wash clothes for the homeless, but that's a story for another day.

Next time you take a shower, think about much a shower contributes to a healthy self image. 

For the Week of June 25, 2001 ~ How do you rate?

Here is something from a parish bulletin. The source is not known to us. How do you stack up?

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank and in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experiences the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a Church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you can read this message, you have received a double blessing that someone was thinking of you and furthermore...you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Think about it!

For the week of June 18, 2001 - A song about St Francis 

Here is a song written between 1228 and 1232 by Julian of Speyer and others for Morning Prayer on the feast of St. Francis.

Saint Francis set out to obtain,

Through many an attentive prayer,

Directives on what to do:

He would not live just for himself

But for the good of everyone,

Influenced by great zeal.

He wandered round about to preach

And, by no human teacher taught,

Left the learned struck with awe.

Of valor were the words he spoke,

So that a fresh militia came

To follow their new captain.

Three were the orders he arrayed:

The Friars Minor he called the first;

And the Poor Ladies were next,

Becoming the middle order;

Then thirdly came the Penitents,

Comprising men and women.

He studied in the school of grace,

He learnt in the school of trial

All matters of perfection,

All the things that he taught the friars,

As much through acts as in many

A honey flowing discourse.

He bade us praise as praise he did,

For praise was ever on his lips,

The praise of his dear Savior;

And he invited bird and beast

And every other creature, too,

To praise their Lord and Maker.

St. Francis, filled with God's love in prayer, communicated that love through his words and actions. You can show God's love to the homeless and poor through your support of our programs that bring them food, shelter, and help in changing their lives for the better. Let your actions invite the homeless to praise their Lord and Maker!

The above prayer is from: The Divine Office of Saint Francis (Lauds: Antiphons), in The Saint, Volume I of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, edited by Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap., J.A. Wayne Hellman, OFM Conv., and William Short, OFM, @1999 Franciscan Institute of St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY

available from: 

Franciscan Resources, P.O. Box 350, Menagha, MN 56464

Telephone and Fax: (218) 837-5447

email: franres@wcta.net

For the week of June 11, 2001  ~ Marquard Society Established!

     On Saturday, June 9, 2001, twenty individuals were inducted into the new Marquard Society.  These individuals are:  

Nick & Charlene Hamilton

Fr. Albert Merz, OFM

Ann Proctor

Irene Seth

Donna & Paul Marsh

Alice & Richard Van Egeren

Margaret & James Ryther

Fr. James Hoffman, OFM

Melissa & Brian Gary

Mary Ann & Robert Wagner

Flora & Vincent DeCrane

Veronica & Frank Pielsticker

     All of these individuals have made an extraordinary contribution to mission of Franciscan Outreach Association. The above list includes former board members, past staff members, and others who have contributed to Franciscan Outreach in a very significant way. Members of the Marquard Society have the option of providing their insight and assistance directly to the Board of Directors. 

     Each of these individuals were invited to a luncheon on Saturday, received a clock as a token of our appreciation, and are listed on a plaque displayed in our chapel. 

     The Marquard Society is one way for us to show our appreciation for the many years of dedicated service these individuals have provided to the homeless and poor of Chicago.

For the week of Monday, June 4, 2001 ~ Updated January, 2002

One measure of the demand for overnight shelter is the number of guests that we have to turn away because we are filled to capacity.

Our "turn-away rate" is increasing increased dramatically.

For the week of Monday, May 28, 2001:

Congratulations to the winners of the raffle prizes that were awarded at our Spring Banquet "Reach Out at the Outreach." And the winners are...

Two round trip tickets on Frontier Airlines & an Entertainment 2001 Book – Pauline Mertes, Palatine, IL

Two round trip tickets on ATA from Midway to Los Angeles & an Entertainment 2001 Book – Ms. Elizabeth Freidheim, Chicago, IL

Two Gift Certificates worth $50 to $100 on TWA – Barbara Konitzer, Antioch, IL

An Overnight Stay at the Indian Lakes Golf Resort for Two with Breakfast and Champagne – Marcy Bruck, Hinsdale, IL

An Overnight Stay for Two at the Palmer House Hilton and Champagne – Anne Butzen, Wilmette, IL

Sunday Brunch for Two in the Seasons Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel - Ms. June Huston, Chicago, IL

Gift certificates to Carmichael’s Steak House – Ann Markovich, Chicago, IL

Gift certificate to the Blackhawk Lodge – Brother Herb Rempe, Chicago, IL

Gift Certificate to The Berghoff Restaurant – Mr. Eugene Faust, Oak Lawn, IL

Gift certificate to the Weber Grill Restaurant – Stan Cebrzynski, Wonder Lake, IL

Four tickets to a Chicago Cubs game and a Cubs baseball cap – John G. Onderko, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Four tickets to a Chicago White Sox game and autographed photo of Ray Durham – John S. Hughes, Arlington Heights, IL

Two tickets to a Chicago Bulls game, a Bulls cap, and a 2000-2001 Year book – Cyril F. Schmid, Arlington Heights, IL

Gift Basket of an Assortment of Bath Products – Joan & John Barrett, Naples, FL

Microsoft Streets & Trips 2001 software – Howard E. Lovely, Wilmette, IL

Wind Chimes - Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rotter, Hoffman Estates, IL

Revolving Picture Frame – Melissa Whelan, Chicago, IL

Picture Frame – Mrs. Lucy Bloedorn, West Bend, WI

Clock & Picture Frame – Ms. Genevieve Szewczyk, Itasca, IL

May 21 - Photo of Fr. Larry and Francis Cardinal George at our 25th Anniversary Mass

Thank you for your support of our 25th Anniversary Speaker Series and Mass and our Spring Benefit Dinner at the Berghoff!  Click here for a photo of Fr. Larry Janezic and Cardinal Francis George at our 25th Anniversary Mass

May 7 - Speaker Series and Mass with Cardinal Francis George

Here's more information about the speaker series that runs from Monday, May 14 through Thursday, May 17, 2001. Speakers begin at 12:10 p.m.  The Mass with the Archbishop of Chicago, Francis Cardinal George, begins at 11:40 a.m.  All events are at St. Peter's Church, 110 W. Madison, Chicago.

             Why are we having a Speaker Series? Homelessness is a pervasive problem in Chicago. This series will focus attention on the issue of homelessness and lead to a greater understanding of the issues involved in ending homelessness. It is co-sponsored by Franciscan Outreach and St. Peter's Church. Franciscan Outreach wants to make more people aware of the issues that relate to homelessness. St. Peters wants to present interesting and informative programs that help people put their faith into action.

             Monday - Issues in Homelessness and the Work of Franciscan Outreach   The presentation on Monday will introduce the hot topics in homelessness and highlight what one organization is doing to help. Causes of homelessness are complex and very interrelated. Issues like lack of affordable housing, mental illness, and substance abuse make it difficult for individuals to end their homelessness. Service providers are focusing on meeting a wide range of needs, including emergency food and shelter, assistance in accessing services, transitional assistance, and ongoing support. Franciscan Outreach Association provides emergency assistance and helps its guests set goals, establish priorities, and access the many social services available in Chicago. There are many ways attendees can participate in reaching out to the homeless of Chicago.

 Tuesday - Homeless Poets and Artists  Tuesday’s presentation will highlight the talents of individual homeless or formerly homeless poets and artists so that the audience can see that “the homeless” are talented individuals, with their individual hopes, dreams and outlooks on life. It is hoped that these presentations will break through the stereotypes that some people hold about homeless individuals.

 Wednesday - The Culture & Psychology of Homelessness  Wednesday’s presentation is by Jeff Grunberg, co-author of Beyond Homelessness and Executive Director of Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation in New York. He will help attendees understand the unique culture of homelessness. Once that culture is understood, efforts can be made to work within the existing culture to help homeless individuals rise above the circumstances that keep them homeless.

 Thursday - Homelessness: Prevention and Advocacy  Thursday’s presentation is by John Donahue of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. He will speak about bridging the growing gap between affordable housing and wages. His talk will consider ways of preventing this disparity and advocating for changes that will overcome it.

 Friday - Mass with the Cardinal   On Friday, the Archbishop of Chicago will help Franciscan Outreach Association celebrate the 25th year of its incorporation by celebrating Mass at St. Peter’s Church. The Cardinal is expected to speak about the issue of homelessness in his sermon.

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