Taller de José NewsTaller de José is a community resource center offering accompaniment to people in

need, connecting people to services and services to people. Taller de José is a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

(Joseph’s Workshop)Existing so that all may be one...

Volume 3 Issue 1

A Second Chance

Page 1

Catalina, a single mother and grandmother, purchased and maintained a house for herself, her mother, brother, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. She worked hard to provide a comfortable home for her family and felt proud of the support she provided for them. This changed one icy win-ter day when she slipped and fell on her way to work. She was incapacitated for months, and her employer fired her because of her absence. As Catalina recovered, her family did what they could to make up for the loss of income, but they could not make up for her salary. She fell further and further behind on her mortgage bills. Not long after her first delinquent payment, a notice of foreclosure arrived in the mail. Catalina looked for help for homeowners and for new employment in hopes that she could pay off what she owed. For weeks she found neither and began to feel hopeless. After weeks of searching, Catalina found Taller de José just blocks from her home. She shared her story with a compañera, and together, they discussed the situation and continued the search for a solution. They visited organizations that gave aid to homeowners in foreclosure, went to court together, and visited workforce centers in search of employment. Even with her compañera by her side, Catalina could not find employment. However through their time and conversations together, Catalina realized she could use talents she already had and began her own small business. Catalina and her compañera looked into bankruptcy options. Chapter 13 bankruptcy offered her the chance to pay back her debts and save her family’s home. Her compañera was by her side at her first meeting with her lawyer to interpret, be a support and to help her understand some of the legal terminology. The bankruptcy process was complicated, and putting a payment plan in place lasted a few months. Midway through putting the plan in place, Catalina’s

mother fell sick. She quickly succumbed to hersickness and passed away. The pain of her loss made the process even more difficult, but it gave Catalina inspiration as well. Of all the family members that lived in the house, Catalina’s mother was always the most proud of her for purchasing and maintaining the house. Her mother’s memory gave her strength. With her compañera by her side, Catalina managed to file for bankruptcy and began paying her debts.

A year ago, Taller de José opened a second site at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish to expand the ministry of accompaniment. Through the generosity of Fr. Don Nevins, St. Agnes donates office space. Kerry McGuire coordinates services at this site. In addition, Kerry facilitates the Maternal Wellness Committee, created to address the issue of infant mortality in Little Village. This committee has helped bring parent support groups, prenatal classes and an infant development group to the community. Currently, Kerry helped form a partnership with UIC’s School of Public Health. Three students have begun a community assessment this semester and are researching a range of factors that could contribute to the rate of infant mortality. This research will help Taller de José grow its relationship with the community and better coordinate resources for the families we serve.

Continuing to Grow Above: Kerry McGuire (center) with a client and her children outside of St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish.

A Letter From the Board President

A Staff that Keeps Giving

Above: (right) Compañera, Anna Mayer, with a client during one of Taller de José’s furniture drives.

Summer and fall was a time of hello’s and good bye’s for the staff of Taller de José. The number of staff members more than tripled since the first year of operation in 2008. Throughout the summer, Nicki Padron Glass, a volunteer student from Illinois State University, Jamie Mueller, from the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, and Gabriel Godwin, a University of Chicago graduate student all blessed the staff and clients of Taller de José with their ministry and presence. At the end of the summer, Taller de José bid farewell to Maeve Raphelson, the former Amate volunteer, who left to pursue a Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago. In August, Taller de José welcomed three new compañeras, Nicole Walsh a Dominican University Social work intern, Vicky Tello, a Loyola university Masters of Social Work intern, and Anna Mayer, a new Amate volunteer. In addition, Sr. Leyla Cerda, CSJ was hired to serve as accountant and

receptionist. Taller de José is grateful to its wonderful staff, volunteers and interns for their continued commitment and dedication to the mission and ministry of Taller de José.

Dear Friends, On behalf of the Board of Directors, I send greetings to you all. When Taller de José first came to life from the thoughts and dreams of a small group of people, we had no idea what would become of it. We simply trusted that God would lead and guide Taller de José in its humble efforts to accompany people in their need. Now, years later, it is astounding to witness Taller de José standing firm on a foundation of faith in action. The women and men who are blessed to work in the ministry of accompaniment at Taller de José can testify to the importance of Taller de José’s mission in the world today. As our nation and our local communities struggle with a weakened economy and the stresses of everyday life, the staff and volunteers of Taller de José continually find more and more people coming to the door in need of a listening ear and a guiding hand. The ministry of accompaniment is nothing new. In the Gospels, we find Jesus exercising this ministry as he walks the road with his disciples and sits down to supper with sinners and saints. Jesus’ disciples continued this ministry of accompaniment, as they journeyed the road to Emmaus and began to take the good news of the resurrection and new life to communities far and wide. Throughout the centuries, our Church has called us to this ministry of accompaniment, as we have shared Communion together and have been sent forth from the Eucharist to

go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Jesus promised to be present whenever two or three were gathered together in God’s name. Christ has truly been present to Taller de José since its first beginnings of two or three gathered together to share a dream and has accompanied us as Taller de José has grown to include more and more volunteers, supporters, and clients. What began as a small group of believers sitting down to share a dream has developed into something much greater. As Taller de José seeks to continue its ministry of accompaniment, you are invited along for the journey. Walk with us as we walk with those in need. Together may we discover the guidance and inspiration of God as we connect people to services and services to people.Yours in Christ,Rev. Robert G. CaseyTaller de José Board President

Right: Taller de José’s Board of Directors, not pictured, Luis Gutierrez

Taller de José Annual Report 2010-2011

A Service from the Heart “...Taller de José gives you hope. They don’t let you fall. It’s more than just a job for them—they do it

with their hearts.” Words of one of the many Taller de José clients who are accompanied through your support.

Rev. Robert CaseyChairSt. Barbara Parish

Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJExecutive DirectorTaller de José

Linda Campos, Esq. Law Office of Linda Campos

Rev. Lawrence Choate, OSMFriar Servants of Mary

Kathy DonahueCatholic Charities

Maria Carmen Flores-AvilaEl Milagro

Luis GutierrezLatinos Progresando

Patrick Green, Ed.DLoyola University Chicago

Sr. Ann Letourneau, CSJChicago School of Psychology Doctoral Student

Nancy Loewenberg YoungMorgan Stanley Smith Barney

Board of Directors

Increase of new clients from 2010-2011

31%

Top Client Needs1. Legal

2. Domestic Violence

3. Rental/Financial Assistance

4. Immigration

449Number of new clients Taller de

José served in FY 2011

Dear Friends of Taller de José,

One of the tasks that I have as the Executive

Director of Taller de José is interviewing potential compañeras or compañeros who will accompany the people who seek our services. Since the major-ity of our clients are Spanish speaking, it is necessary that our staff is bilingual and comfortable conversing in both Spanish and English. When asking about a potential staff member’s level of Spanish proficiency, I speak to them about being able to listen and speak from the heart. For as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry says in the classic, The Little Prince, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what’s essential is invisible to the eye.” Accompaniment is a service of the heart. Whether listening to a survivor of domestic violence present her testimony or helping someone who is concerned about the foreclosure of one’s home or connecting a family to resources which will help provide schools supplies for their children, compañeras and compañeros must listen and respond with their hearts. We present this annual report to you not simply as a series of graphs and statistics, but as a measure of the heart. We invite you into the heart of Taller de José, trusting that you will “see rightly” what it is that inspires us in our day to day work. We thank you for sharing in our work. Our words of gratitude, however, cannot express to you just how important your support is to us as we continue the work of accompaniment. The need for our services continues to increase. We ask you to please continue accompanying us in the ministry of accompaniment.

Sincerely,Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJExecutive Director

Our Supporters

“Taller de José was a blessing. I was in a bad situation and without money. The compañera opened doors for me to keep fighting.” Because of donors like you we are able to provide our services

of accompaniment without a charge to our clients.

$0-99J. C. AcevedoRichard & Jerry AllersFanny Diego AlvarezCylest & Candalaro-BrooksCarlos & Jessica AstaizaGeraldine BalunJeannette BarczakJohn Norton BarrettDarlene BartelDon and Carolyn BeckerChip & Laura BirdSr. Janet Bolger, CSJJim & Cathy BoydRev. Michael J. BradleyMarge BraneckiChris & Colleen BrewerPatricia A. BroderickUnca BruceWilliam & Debbie BurfisherLee & Carmella CallaciCarol CandeloroTerry & Cindy CarrPaula CasasMichael & Margaret CaseyRich & Dana CaseyRev. Dan CassidySr. Bee Jay Ciszek, CSJMike & Patricia CoffeyMatthew & Megan CoxElena CruzCongregation of Saint Joseph-Chaucer HouseSr. Mary Jo Curtsinger, CSJMike & Michelle CzmilKay DavidsonJames & Bridget DavisJohn DebnarCarmen DecolongonCarrie DecolongonLou Demuro & Karen Herman Demuro Annie Devine Kate DeVriesSr. Frankie Dutil, CSJMary DzendzelukJay & Carla EdelstonLinda J. Edral & Dale PackardAmy EhretKathy EnnenbachMargaret ErvinMary C. EspositoJesse & Cherie EstradaRobin FanelliMaggie FernandezTheresa FiedlerLeslie FiedlerPam FortunaJulie Fountain

Julie FountainMatt & Megan FoxRev. Rigoberto GamezLuis & Janiene GarciaDolores GarramoneDiane GeersCharles & Sharon GodfreyMarilu GonzalezDavid GrahamSam GrahamDr. James GrecoJoseph & Donna GreenwoodKeith & Joellen GregieJoanne GregoireBill GressRosario GuerecaLuis GutierrezAlta GuzmanSr. Margaret Halligan, CSJJames & Terry HardtRosalba HernandezJay HesdirfferSr. Henrietta Hibbs, CSJ

Joseph F. HickeyRon & Roselee HicksRev. Ron HicksRev. John HoffmanCarol HranickaJanet HunterCraig & Carol JacklinSr. Sharon Jakicic, CSJRobert & Cara JilekDorlissa JohnsonBishop Frank KaneSr. Bernadine Karge, OPWilliam & Jacqueline Kean

Sr. Laurina Khane, CSJSeema & Sandup KinraSr. Francilla Kirby, BVM (†)Dr. Fred & Ann KittleDick & Joy KlangRandye Klein & John FlubergerKolbe HouseJoan KrebsRichard KuceraStan KulasikJames & Debra KusikCarla Langerveld & Mike RaphelsonSharon LarsonSr. Sallie Latkovick, CSJBrian & Angela LawlerEugene LeeAndrew & Di LihositMarco LopezKevin & Margaret LordMarge LorenzMargaret LoweSr. Dorothy Lynch, CSJPhyllis LyonsBarbara MackevichDanielle Maglinte & David MannJack MagnanCharles Y. ManderfieldSr. Chris March, CSJGuadalupe MartinezEleanore MateCarla McCartneyMaureen McDonaldSr. Jean McGrath,CSJSheila McGuireThomas MezeraJoni MillerLinda MillerJohn & Diane MioLisa MonnotPatricia MoranRev. Thomas A. MulcroneHelen MurphySr. Marion Murphy, BVMSr. Pat Murphy, RSMGertrude NalumansiBev NelsonNarendra & Emma B. NemivantBetty NievesDonna Oborski

Marybeth O’ConnorIrene Mary O’NeillSr. Dorothy Oursler, CSJSr. Jeanne Oursler, CSJLenore ParrilliAnthony M. ParsonJuliana PazSr Joanne Persch Socorro PerezRev. Arturo Perez-RodriguezSr. Virginia Phillips, OPJacqueline PuentesGuadalupe RamirezPaz & Boni RacomaMarie E. RamirezVivian RamosAl & Jackie RaphelsonEd ReillyCarmelo ReyesSr. Ann Therese Reznicek, CSJFrannie & Greg RichardsTom & Linda RinellaPamela RistauJudy RochaDalia RocotelloArlene RovnerPhilip & Gigi RungeSr. Otilie Sana, BVMSr. Grace Sbrissa, CSJSr. Joellen Sbrissa, CSJDavid ScalzittiSr. Marlene Schemmel, CSJSharon & Frank SchmidtMarcia SchroederRonald & Charlene SchwartzJohn & Pat ScullyVernon & MaryAnn Nash SebbyMelissa SegoviaJuan SimentalElizabeth SpitznagelSr. Ag Springer, CSJ (†)Vincent & Bridget SpurdutoSr Rita Stalzer, CSJJaimee StephensDouglas & Leslie StickelsJeremy & Rachel StopkaJordan StopkaMike & Mary Jo SullivanKathleen ThurekDolores Vaca

FY 2011 Revenue

7%

37%

6%6%

44%

Individual

Grants

Events

School and ParishAppeals Contributed Services

FY 2011 Expenses

25%

73%

2%

Administrative

Program

Fundraising/Development

$0-$99 ContinuedJosephine ValentinLowell & Margaret VickGuido & Marisa VolpeMary VyskocilKathryn WaddaCarol WaltersSr. Pat Warbritton, CSJLiza WinkelBastian WolfKim YoderDennis & Susan YorkaTheresa Zeplin NorrisJoel ZunicaRev. Fernando Zuleta

$100-$299Rev. Robert AlbrightAssumption ParishDr. Arshiya BaigVera Hrynyk & Steven BeggsPatricia BihunJim & Bea BoydTheresa BrazdaRev. John F. CanaryRev. Robert CaseyCatholic CharitiesEdward & Dena ClerRev. Lawrence Choate, OSMJim & Cathy CondonCongregation of Saint Joseph-Arthur HouseDaPrato Rigali StudiosDe La Salle InstituteEpiphany ParishJanet ErazmusKaren Therese R. FerrerMichael FinnDennis M. & Merlyn FruinJames & Maureen GarveyRobyn L. GoldenPatrick & Colleen GreenJason GriffinKurt HartrichMichael HermanSue ImhoffTed & Gale KazmierowiczRosemary KillianDan & Kathy KopankeDavid KopankeCarin LewandowskiLoyola UniversityJim & Martha MaddockBishop John R. ManzSr. Therese Marczyk, CSJKathleen McGowanGeri MesikMegan C. MioJerome MolitorPatrick & Peggy Monnot

Karl & Judy MotzenbeckerTimothy D. O’HaraRobert & Kay OtterMichele PackardMary C. PalmisanoDorothy PurcellKyle RaderJeffrey & Martha RaphelsonRev. A. Paul ReicherPatrick & Jeane RosmonowskiNancy Schafer LoddingGrace SkalskiTherese SommerfeldRonald SpitznagelSt Barbara SchoolSt Barbara Parish Religious EducationSt Francis Xavier ParishSt Giles SchoolSt James Parish (Wabash)St. James Parish (Sauk Village)St Peter Parish Joel & Shurti StopkaJohn & Joan StopkaWilliam & Elaine SullivanEd SutorisSarah WaxmanPhyllis WinterChristine WuThomas Zbierski

$300-499Ann BlazejakTom & Louise DeskeEnlace ChicagoEl MilagroHoly Family ParishMarquette BankMadeline McGuireDr. Anthony & Kimberly PerrySt Agnes Parish

$500-999David and Joan Bieler-CraigSt Paul ParishCardinal Francis George OMIMargaret M. GlynnMichael LeonJulie MausNativity of Our Lord ParishNazareth AcademySt Rene Grupil School

$1000-1499Sacred Heart ParishPaul & Jane ReaganTerry & Doreen ReidSaint Anthony HospitalRev. Michael J. ShanahanSt Mary of the Annunciation Parish

$1000-$1499 ContinuedMary WarcholNancy Lowenberg Young

$1500-1999Michael McGuire

$2000-4999Bergen FamilyMcLaughlin Faith FoundationOur Lady of Pompeii ShrineSt Francis Xavier SchoolSt Juliana SchoolSt Nicholas Parish

$5000+Congregation of St. JosephGenerous Promise GrantHilton Fund for ReligiousChicago Community Trust

LISC Grant

$5,000+ ContinuedUniversity of Chicago Community Partner Grant

Youth Network Council Youth Services Capacity Enhancement Program Grant

In Kind ContributionsCatholic Charities Congregation of the Sisters of St. JosephSisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin MaryOur Lady of Tepeyac ParishSisters of ProvidenceSt. Agnes Parish

(†) deceasedEvery attempt was made to include all contributions, Taller de José apologizes for any donor that might have been omitted.

FY 2011 Financials

Left: Compañera, Sr. Theresa Gleeson, BVM (right) accompanying a client downtown on the train.

Taller de José is a sponsored ministry of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Congregation of St. Joseph1515 W. Ogden AvenueLa Grange Park, Illinois 60526

Community Partners are the Key to Success

Percentage of clients that are referred to Taller de Jose by a partner

agency, church, or school.

47%

“The accompaniment program fills a gap that is not filled by many other agencies”

On August 10, Taller de José held its annual community partners meeting. Over 50 individuals representing 40 agencies attended. The community partners had the chance to network and dialogue about their partnership with Taller de José and other agencies. Thanks to all of our community partners who attended! Here is what some of our community partners had to say:

“Taller de José assists and expands the capacity of our organization by providing accompaniment services as our clients begin their long journey of recovery and accessing multiple community services.”- Kathleen Higgins, Executive Director, Rainbow House

“Taller de José takes clients through the whole process, not just one part. They are one of the best agencies in the City of Chicago that I have found and I refer everyone to them!” - Mark Nabong, Attorney, Legal Aid Bureau

Right: Michael Rodriguez,

Executive Director of Enlace Chicago

participates at the Community Partners

Meeting

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