“For I was hungry

and you gave me food,

I was thirsty and

you gave me drink,

a stranger and you

welcomed me.”

- Matt. 25:35

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• Greening Up page 1

• Income Statement page 2

• Client Outputs and Outcomes page 3

• Donor Lists page 4-7

• Grants Awarded page 7

• Hands & Hearts page 8

In This Issue:

La Posada Providencia Annual Report 2011-2012

www.LPPshelter.org

Greening Up La PosadaFor the past several years, we have made a conscious effort to be God’s co-creators of the environment. Gardening, recycling, composting, collecting rain water, irrigating with grey water and conserving energy have been a way of life here at La Posada. Anyone visiting our shelter can witness our many greening up efforts.

Our conservation and environmental sustainability are at the center of daily life at La Posada. Staff, clients and volunteers are deeply involved in our many projects and supporting us as we continue to find new ways to green up. Our current goal and endeavor is to capture the sun’s rays. We have spent considerable time gathering information about solar energy, seeking to identify the most feasible and energy efficient application for La Posada. Solar power offers a limitless supply of clean, safe and renewable energy for heat and power. We plan to appeal to a funder who has a similar interest in environmental sustainability to help us make our goal a reality.

La Posada’s environmental projects and practices have a tremendous impact by giving both our clients and volunteers the opportunity to learn hands-on the art of living sustainably.

La Posada generally supports between 225-250 clients per year. While they are applying for legal asylum or another legal status, La Posada prepares these individuals to begin their new lives in the United States in an environmentally sustainable manner. Moreover, our community typically hosts 300-350 university student volunteers from around the country each year, in addition to the more than 100 volunteers from the Rio Grande Valley. During their stay, volunteers get hands-on experience in the daily education and practice of living sustainably as they work side by side with clients in our English as a Second Language (ESL) and life-skills curriculum.

In addition to finding new ways to green up, we also want to engage more volunteers! To find out more about our conservation and environmentally sustainable practices, visit our website at www.lppshelter.org/greening-up.

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Former client Karim (left) teaches a client how to transplant a tomato plant in our garden.

La Posada ProvidenciaStatement of Activity and Changes in Net Assets For the year ended June 30, 2012

Revenues

Grants and Contributions $ 79,859 Special Events 37,126 Sisters of Divine Providence 63,000 Rent 21,153 Interest 896

Total Revenues $ 202,034

Expenditures

Services to Clients $ 201,659 Management and Administrative 28,803 Fundraising 11,427

Total Expenditures $ 241,889

Change in Net Assets <$ 39,855> Net Assets, Beginning of Year $ 163,109

Net Assets, End of Year $ 123,254

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Provincial Leadership Team

Mary Francis Fletcher, CDP

Maria Fest, CDP

Donna Marie Gribschaw, CDP

Ana Lydia Sonera Matos, CDP

Mary Traupman, CDP

Board of Directors

Deborah K. Grayson Chairperson

Elaine Margaret Adams Vice-Chairperson

Leticia G. Eads Secretary

Everett J. Driskill Treasurer

Gilberto Barrera, Jr.

Lexye Paret Bengochea

Abigail D. Molina

Paula M. Olivarez

Rev. Ryan Pederson

Ana Lydia Sonera Matos, CDP

Staff

Zita Telkamp, CDP Program Director

Missy Benavidez Development Coordinator

Thérèse Cunningham, SHSp Client Mentor

Monica Peña-Rasmussen Client Coordinator

Joseph Rodriguez-Gonzalez Program Assistant

La Posada Providencia30094 Marydale RoadSan Benito, TX 78586Tel: (956) 399-3826Fax: (956) 399-2898 Email: cdplaposada@lppshelter.org

Letter from the Program DirectorAs I review the statistics for this annual report, I marvel at the number of clients we have served and their successful outcomes. This was only possible because you generously shared your valuable time and talents, volunteering as tutors or drivers, and your treasure, which helped us keep our lights on, put gas in our vehicles and food on our table.

I am reminded of a quote in one of Mildred Binns Young’s essays, “The hand that gives must touch the hand that receives.”

Yes, it was your hand that wrote a check or opened a book and pointed to words as you tutored our clients, or clutched a steering wheel while driving them to appointments, or was raised in prayer for our staff and clients. It was your generosity that helped generate the many success stories of our clients. Our receiving hands have truly been touched by your giving hands and we are truly grateful.

In God’s Providence,

Zita Telkamp, CDP Program Director

La Posada Providencia is the only shelter of its kind in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Our shelter was founded with the goal of achieving social justice and effective resettlement for indigent immigrants and asylum seekers.

We provide hospitality to between 225 to 250 new immigrants and asylum seekers each year, nearly two-thirds of whom are women and children.

Most of La Posada’s clients arrive on our doorsteps destitute and exhausted, following a long and dangerous journey. La Posada provides safety, hope, and a way forward as our clients prepare for their new lives in the U.S.

Our outputs for fiscal year 2011-2012:

● 4,361 bed nights

● 15,741 meals served

● 257 people served, including: - 90 men - 116 women - 22 women were pregnant - 51 children under the age of 18

● 24,176 miles driven for client appointments

● 2,065 total tutored hours of ESL and life skills

Our outcomes from the client self-sufficiency program:

● 100% of clients (staying 7 days or longer) with physical or mental health needs were referred to appropriate healthcare providers.

● 100% of clients were transported to and from needed services.

● 98% of clients (staying 4 days or longer) attended English literacy and life skills classes.

● 80% of clients met the goals set in their initial interview during their shelter stay.

● 70% of clients improved their job readiness; 50% of job ready clients (with Social Security cards and work permits) were employed before end of residency.

● 85% of those who gained asylum/legal relief lived with family or independently within five months of resolving their legal status.

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La Posada Client Outputs and Outcomes for 2011-2012

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Clients Statistics by Countries and Continents

La PosadaCountries of Origin in the Fiscal Year: 27

● Africa (34 clients): Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone

● Asia (18 clients): Bangladesh, China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

● Europe (1 client): Romania

● Latin America: (204 clients) Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela

Clients like Pele were employed before the end of their residency at La Posada.

Thank You to Our Partners

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AMary Abbott Martha Abrego Erin K. Adams Margaret J. Adrian Manuel Agado, Jr. Jonathan K Alexander Silvana Alvarado Andrews Foundation Anonymous Rose Henrietta Arthur Shirley G. Asmussen Thomas G. Auffenberg Kathye B. Austin

BRobert G. Bachmann Bacon Lee & Associates Marie A. Bakke Julie Balovich

Granville D. Barger Mark & Cynthia Barnes Enedina A. Barrera Gilberto Y. Barrera Margaret A. Barrett Mary C. Barrett Susan Barrett Virginia Becker Rosaria Bednar, CDP Melissa Benavidez Benedictine Sisters Rick Bennett Mercedes Berbach, CDP Blanquita’s Restaurant Jane Naumann Boling Ralph H. Brindley Yvonne S. Brown Christine L. Buehler Reynoldo V. Burnias

CBeverly A. Camper Olga A. Canas Olga F. Cantarero Mary C. Carini Clarice Carlson, CDP Janice A. Cassidy Catherine M. Cassy

Alicia Castillo Sylvia A. Castro Catholic Daughters of the Americas Teodoso & San Juanita Cespedes Amalia Charles Chuy’s Custom Sports Esequiel & Antonia Cisneros Congregation of Divine Providence, Inc. Francis L. Conlin Antionette Connaughton Aileen Corbie Cristela Corona Maria R. Corona San Juana Corona Odilia Cortez Barbara Crawford Paul Cunningham Thérèse Cunningham, SHSp Tom Cunningham Helen L. Cyr

DDaBecca Natural Foods, Inc. Jan L. Davenport Elizabeth Davis Evana G. Davis Serapio de la Rosa Jr., DDS Fernando & Graciana de Pena Christina M. Deconcini Diocese of Brownsville Dominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois Everett J. Driskill

ELeticia G. Eads Juan & Francisca Elizondo Christine R. Elliott Oliver A. Eschbach Nelson Escobar Portillo Paul Esquivel Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Jennifer Ezzell

The Sisters of Divine Providence are blessed to share our ministry with many others who care about our brothers and sisters seeking a new home in our beloved country. In particular, we thank the following who have shared so generously with us during the past fiscal year:

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Client Mentor Therésè Cunningham, SHSp teaching a class on nutrition to La Posadaclients. She shows by example what foods are healthy and which are not.

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FRobert Farris Charlene Figge First Baptist Church of Anson Nivia Nieves Fisch Karen Fischer Gloria A. Flores Olivia Flores Juanita Fox Mary Gabriel Friedel, CDP Fry’s Prescription Pharmacy

GAlfredo Garcia Juan S. Garcia Linda Garcia Nora Belinda Garcia Rose Mary Garcia Thelma O. Garcia Raul Garza, MD Arnoldo & Eva Saldivar Garza Blanca E. Garza Edward V. George Rosemary Georgett Andrea R. Gilles Howard Gillogly Patricia M. Goclan Evila Gonzales Maria Ester Gonzales Susana S. Gonzales Mary F. Gonzalez Jodilyn M. Goodwin Maria Del Carmen Grana Debbie Grayson

HSylvia M. Harris Perry Heavner Dolores Hernandez Gregorio & Rosario Hernandez Imelda P. Hernandez Norma A. Hernandez Olga Hernandez Oralia C. Herrera James R. Hess The Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters Hilary Hooks, CDP Shannon Housley

IAngela E. Imming

JJ.R. Palacio Enterprises Cheri L. Jablonowski Brian & Monica Jalomo Albert A. Jansen Krista L. Sanda Johnson Gloria M. Jones Sylvia Joyce John M. Jurica

KMelanie Kambic CDP Rose Marie Kiel Kum Kim Katrina Kleinwachter Leonard A. Knobbe Rita M. (Huhman) Kochhar Virgil & Mary Jane Koechner Constance Kuttenkuler, CDP

LLa Encantada Spa and Salon La Feria Family Dentistry LCWR Region 12 Border Project Fund Michael & Rachel Leal Mary Salvatore Leo, CDP Norma L. Lesko Philip P. Lima Gary Lindsay Meredith Linsky Steven M. Linsky Lo-Ree Dress Shop Lone Star Glass & Mirror, L.L.C. David Lopez, OSF Alonso Lopez John G. Lopez, Jr. Anthony & Jean Luke Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services Ida Mary Lutz, CDP Julia E. Lynn

MAlice A. Maedge Maria C. Maldonado Janet Marcus Vincent J. Marino, DDS Mark A. Brown Management Services, Inc. Carol Ann Marshall

Marlene McClain Mary Lou McClanahan Carolyn McGuire Kate McSwain Raymond J. Menke Margaret Mertens, CDP Therese R. Meyerhoff Mary Martha Miller Charles & Lisa Mitchell Molina Law Group Bonnie L Morton Abigail Moyer Lupita Muñiz Michael & Margie Myers

NJames J. Newell Joan Novak Jay Nutt

OPatricia A. O’Hara Gary W. Obernuefemann Lucinda Olivarez Paula M. Olivarez David Olvera Enrique & Elena Ornelas Victor L. Ottenlips

PRosalinda Padron Lisa Paffrath, CDP Ann Pairn, CDP

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La Posada 2010-2012 By the Numbers

● 33 clients received political asylum

● 1 clients received a U Visa

● 3 clients received a juvenile visa

● 7 clients received permanent residency cards

● 23 clients received work permits

● 25 clients received Social Security cards

● 14 clients received ID cards

Rev. Charles S. Palmer, Jr. Toni Palter Ryan Pederson Paulita Pedraza Jordan Penner Herminia H. Perez Maria Margarita Perez Agnes Petty Myra Peña Plaza de Oro y Diamantes Debra Poe James J. Poe Cathy J. Potter Presbyterian Church USA Colleen B. Price

QEduwiges Quintanilla

RAgnes Raible, CDP Monica Rasmussen Bill Reagan Cheryl M. Reed Laurie Reich Barbara Reiter Alfredo & Melanie Reyes Lucy Reza-Morales Joyce E. Ristau Mary Jerome Roberts, CDP John James Rodemann Jose E. Rodriguez Gonzalez Apolinar G. Rodriguez Maria & David Rodriguez Zulema Q. Rodriguez Kathy F. Rogers Guadalupe Rosales Mary [O’Grady] E. Rose Gustavo C. Ruiz Jose & Anna Maria Ruiz

SIrma Salazar Linda S. Saldana Omar & Susana Saldivar Salinas Pharmacy Jesse Salinas Celeste Sanchez Sylvia L. Sanchez Scanlan Foundation Lucy Schmidt, CDP M. Agnes Schmidt, CDP Henry C. Schmidt Mary Magdalen Schmidt Roland J. Schoenhoff

Ana Garcia Schulz June A. Schwierjohn James M. Seifert Selina D. Salinas Investments, Inc. Rev. Eugene P. Selzer Julianne Shepherd Mary Shocklee Jo Ann Simanella, CDP Sisters of Divine Providence Sisters of Divine Providence Novitiate House Sisters of Divine Providence Generalate Sisters of Providence Sisters of Providence, St. Mary of the Woods Sisters of the Holy Spirit & Mary Immaculate Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Don Slattery, Sr. Frank and Agnes Smuda Tencha H. Soria St. Alban’s Episcopal Church St. Pius X Parish St. Theresa’s Church Maricela G. Suarez Sunburst Rotary Club of Harlingen Irene A. Szedlmayer

TZita Telkamp, CDP Joanne R. Telkamp Kathleen E Telkamp Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs Texas Rural Communities, Inc. The Medicine Shoppe Wayne & Patricia Thomas Mary G. Tijerina Dominga Torres Sarah Agnes Trzeciak Stephanie Turck, CDP

Stephen Turck Joseph W. Twombly Jr.

URosella Uding, CDP University of the Incarnate Word

VValley Transit Company Carrie C. Vander Hoek Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation Sarah M. Vidal Rose Mary Vierdag Dolores Villarreal Luis Villarreal, Jr Raymond Luis Villarreal Gary P. Vogt

WPolly Wand Lucia V. Weaver James R. Weiss Judith Werth Wesley United Methodist Church Gil & Teresa Weyhaupt P. & M. Wingert Kathleen Winter

YOlivia C. Yepez Mary Ann Young

ZJuan M. Zapata Norbert E. Zimmermann

In HonoriumThe following is a list of the people in whose name we recieved a gift, with the donor’s name listed below.

All Sisters of Divine Providence Rose Henrietta ArthurManuela Leal Gloria A. FloresMeredith Linsky Steven M. LinskyBarbara McMullen, CDP Virginia BeckerSophia Amor & Andrew Lucas Muñiz Lupita MuñizNora & Larry Paffrath Lisa Paffrath, CDP

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Board member Gilberto Barrera, Jr. (right) sells tickets for the 50/50 drawing at the 2012 Hands & Hearts event.

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Monica Peña-Rasmussen Sylvia M. HarrisAlice Saunders Julie BalovichRosella Uding, CDP Polly WandJoan Wolf, CDP Victor L. Ottenlips

In MemoriumStanley H. Adrian Margaret J. AdrianJoan Albaugh, CDP Philip P. Lima Deceased Members of the Bednar Family Rosaria Bednar, CDPMary Jane Bremmerkamp Rita M. (Huhman) KochharEula Imogene Brindley Ralph H. BrindleyClarence & Viola Davenport Jan L. DavenportFrieda and William Figge Charlene FiggeFred A. & Ida Genteman Family Margaret A. BarrettCharles R. Hendricks AnonymousTom Kuttenkuler Constance Kuttenkuler, CDPCatherine Odelehr, CDP Philip P. LimaJustino D. Reza, Sr. Lucy Reza-MoralesRolando Rodriguez Dominga TorresMr. & Mrs. Michael Schmidt Lucy Schmidt, CDPSister Mary Therese Thompson Nivia Nieves Fisch

Did we miss you? It is important to us that all our generous Partners in Mission be recognized. If your name has been left off this list, we apologize. Please let us know by contacting Colleen Price at 314-209-9181 or cprice@divineprovidencesisters.org.

Thank you to our generous friends who have chosen to remain anonymous. While your name does not appear on these pages, it is recorded in our hearts and spoken in our prayers.

Grants AwardedThe Sisters of Divine Providence and the staff at La Posada Providencia thank the following funders who partner with us to “welcome the stranger.”

Andrews Foundation $ 1,000

Conrad N. Hilton Fund for Sisters $ 7,500

Diocese of Brownsville $ 15,000

Dominican Sisters, Springfield $ 2,500

The James R. Daugherty, Jr. Foundation $ 1,000

ELCA Grant $ 3,000

ESGP (remainder of prior award) $ 10,425

LCWR Region 12 Border Fund $ 5,000

Presbyterian Church USA/ Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service Community Network $20,000

Scanlan Foundation $ 10,000

Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods $ 1,000

Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate $ 5,000

TRC Foundation $ 3,000

Rachel and Ben Vaughn Foundation $ 2,000

Clients turn the compost bin every week until a rich, coffee-colored compost is achieved. We will use this “black gold” to fertilize our large vegetable garden, pecan tree and 15-tree citrus grove of grapefruit, orange and lime trees.

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www.LPPshelter.org

Mark your calendar now for Hands & Hearts, our annual brunch and auction at the Cultural Arts Center of Texas State Technical College in Harlingen on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. All proceeds will benefit the homeless men, women and children served by our shelter. In addition to brunch, the event will include silent and oral auctions. The Master of Ceremonies will be Letty Garza, KRGV Channel Five News anchor.

If you would like to join the planning committee, sponsor the event, or advertise in the program, or if you have an item, service or experience to donate, contact Missy Benavidez at 956-399-3826 or cdplaposada@lppshelter.org.

Learn more at www.lppshelter.org/hands-and-hearts

Join us on January 26, 2013 for our Annual Brunch and Auction Benefit for La Posada

Hands & Hearts

La Posada ProvidenciaA Sponsored Ministry ofThe Sisters of Divine Providence3415 Bridgeland DriveBridgeton, MO 63044

Mission StatementLa Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home; mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration; and imparts values which witness God’s Providence in our world.

We are constantly updating our website! Connect with us online at www.lppshelter.org.