Volunteer Spotlight

You are never too young to give back

by

Henry and William Gosbeth, two young brothers from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, recently spent their evening volunteering at Cathedral Plaza Apartments, a Catholic Charities Housing complex in Denver. Despite the fact they are only three and five years old, they were eager to help and spent time after school helping to prepare and serve meals to residents. Their time spent with the residents from a different generation is a reminder that connection is all around us if you take the time to find it.

Their father, Dan Gosbeth, who is the resident service coordinator at Cathedral Plaza, believes it is best to teach children how to give back to the community from a young age.

“It is crucial to instill in our children the importance of giving back as soon as possible.”

The boys were excited to jump in, and even though the kitchen gloves they wore were a few sizes too large, they worked hard to bring the food to the dozens excitedly waiting for their meal.

The residents of Cathedral Plaza were delighted to watch the two boys set up and prepare the meal, with one resident even guiding them in placing dessert plates on a tray prior to serving. The resident commended the boys for their great effort, and they were thrilled to receive such positive feedback. Other residents in the community room watched with smiles on their faces, proud of the young boys’ efforts, and seeing young people jump in to assist them. This experience was a great lesson for the brothers, teaching them that helping others and instilling a sense of pride and accomplishment can happen at any age.

Volunteering at Catholic Charities is a fun way to get your family involved in the community! Whether you are interested in assisting with a craft, event or meal, connections are ready to be made. Reach out to Jennifer Cerf jcerf@ccdenver.org or visit ccdenver.org/volunteer to browse volunteer activities.

1,500 Days of Making a Difference

by

Since 2017, Bob D’Ascoli has volunteered almost every weekday at Samaritan House on Lawrence Street. That adds up to more than 1,500 days that Bob has devoted to helping our participants at the Catholic Charities’ ministry. Amazing! His smiling face wakes up our participants at breakfast and he brings tremendous energy and positivity to everyone … Read more

Volunteer finds joy offering ESL classes to migrants at Samaritan House

by

Patrick is a substitute teacher for Denver Public Schools who dedicates his Tuesday afternoons to bringing the art of the English language to migrants at Samaritan House. Since November of 2022, the influx of migrants from Spanish- speaking countries to Denver has brought about challenges. Patrick started the English as a Second Language classes at Samaritan House to alleviate the stressors of acclimating to a new culture.

Patrick starts off each class at Samaritan House the same. ¿De dónde eres? (Where are you from?) Each student has a different answer but it’s clear that the common goal is to succeed in a new country. With notebooks out and full attention shifted to the front of the room, students in this highly attended class are committed.

Week by week, the answers flow easier. Patrick ensures that each student is empowered to ask questions. He understands that learning something completely foreign can be uncomfortable. Patrick’s ability to help his students feel at ease comes from his background. His immigration work began about ten years ago when he volunteered with Casa de Paz, an organization that reunites families separated by ICE immigrant detention. Patrick’s career in teaching shifted, and he set out on a journey to help international students, refugees and immigrants learn the tools needed to navigate their new lives. He visited and advocated for immigrants incarcerated in Aurora as well as those facing deportation.

Since then, Patrick has volunteered with Catholic Charities as well as Lutheran Family Services to help Afghan families. Currently, Patrick works with Colorado Hosting Asylum Network (CHAN) supporting Venezuelan families. This endeavor led him to volunteer at Samaritan House teaching English as a second language.

“I believe that the ability to speak, read, write and use English is essential to succeed in the United States. Many immigrants face limited employment opportunities because they don’t speak English,” shared Patrick. “Currently, people are being exploited due to wage theft and contract fraud. Many times, this happens due to peoples’ immigration status and lack of English skills. The classes I teach stress basic communication skills to help people work and survive in the United States.”

Since the class began a few weeks ago, migrants living at Samaritan House use what they’ve been taught to communicate with shelter staff for basic needs. More importantly, it has brought about a sense of home to our new neighbors.

“My students are a delight and I enjoy my time with them immensely. They are engaged, motivated and appreciative of my efforts. Their commitment to learn inspires me and brings joy to my life,” said Patrick.

 

 

Knights of Columbus and St. Thomas More parish give record-breaking number of coats during record-breaking winter

by

The state of Colorado experienced record-breaking temperatures from December 2022 to January 2023. Months prior, Tony Cenedella and the rest of the Knights of Columbus Council 10205 at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Centennial were busy collecting coats and other miscellaneous items in preparation for the cold snaps predicted by the Farmer’s Almanac.

The Knights began the program in 2009, as a way of distributing coats and winter clothing to kids in harsh climates, especially for families with children that were struggling financially. Since its inception, the program has handed out hundreds of thousands of articles of winter clothing and accessories to children coast-to-coast and Canada.

The operation has evolved to best suit the needs of the unhoused community during the winter months.

“It starts in my warehouse in September. St. Thomas More steps up to donate every week through September and October. We grab the donations to take to my warehouse, then we organize and bag up for distribution,” shared Cenedella. Regis Jesuit High School and Mullen High School students also team up to help the Knights with the organization process. “It is a blessing to come together as a community to help thousands of people every year. We certainly couldn’t do it on our own,” said Cenedella.

During this year’s drive alone, 1,816 items were donated to Catholic Charities. A dozen of our ministries and shelters have been given a cushion to clothe those in need. Tony Cenedella hopes to continue to grow in other cities and even states, to help with the need.

“It’s been such a joy to work alongside Tony, the Knights of Columbus and St. Thomas More on this extraordinary effort!” shared Mark Hahn, Catholic Charities Director of Parish and Volunteer Relations.

“Every year around November, I look forward to connecting with him, knowing that his and the Knights’ efforts provide so much warmth and compassion during our colder months. I am always so humbled by the sheer amount of quality coats, sweaters, and other winter wear collected through St. Thomas More.

Madison’s Garden: An Amazing Group of Volunteers. “Feeling needed and valued for the little things we do.”

by

"A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood." - Mark 12: 42-44 -

Receiving more than you give is a common experience for Catholic Charities' volunteers. Serving people experiencing life's challenges is a heart-warming and humbling opportunity to learn more about yourself and neighbors in our community.

For one special group of volunteers, the experience means even more.

Every week, a team of adults from Madison's Garden, a day program for adults with developmental delays, spends their Tuesday afternoons at Samaritan House preparing sandwiches for thousands of neighbors Catholic Charities serves. Working closely with the food services team, these generous people know that their volunteering will make a real difference.

"I like helping people who are hungry," said Maria Waymel, one of the dedicated volunteers from Madison's Garden. "I put together 100 sandwiches today and that will help 100 people. I enjoy it."

For Maria and her friends, the act of volunteering is broken down into three main categories: connection, accompaniment and fellowship.

Madison's Garden considers itself a "community connector" by linking adults - who have developmental disabilities - to social and community needs. The organization is a day program for adults and their caregivers to grow closer to each other and their community. Since the group started their volunteer venture at Samaritan House, they have grown closer as a group, and are especially empathetic to the unhoused community.

The small but mighty Madison's Garden volunteer team at Samaritan House has engineered an assembly line to get as many sandwiches prepared as possible during their two hours of service.

Maria ensures that all of the bread is laid out for Pete and Sandra to stack on the meats and cheeses. David oversees the operation by closing the sandwiches to prepare for wrapping.

Their record is 170 sandwiches in one day, but they plan to beat it.

Maria also volunteers at Marisol Family, a ministry of Catholic Charities that provides families with diapers, wipes and other items. Recently, Maria spent time putting together several layette baskets for expectant mothers to receive.

Madison's Garden director Rosa Amezcua, has noticed a big difference in the group's dynamic since they've started.

"As a director of a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, I find that volunteering is the most complete and rewarding activity for our participants. When we visit the ministries of Catholic Charities such as the Samaritan House and Marisol Family, we receive more than what we give," shared Rosa. "The sense of belonging to a community, feeling needed and valued for the little things that we do, the welcoming and appreciation that our group gets when we arrive has been a great blessing for all of us. Everybody looks forward to it every week!"

 

A ‘Little Bit’ Of Love Goes A Long Way To Healing

by

Veterans from Catholic Charities of Denver’s Samaritan House are offered weekly therapeutic sessions with horses from the Sunny Horse Foundation, a Broomfield non-profit that hosts equine classes designed specifically for those who have served our country. Navy veteran Todd resides at Samaritan House and has been participating in the program since it originated in 2018. … Read more

Fort Collins volunteer receives ‘He Comes to Serve’ award

by

If ever there is a more committed and valued volunteer, Skip Colyer is it in Larimer County. When the sunlight breaks over the morning sky, Skip is already at Samaritan House Fort Collins with staff collecting a week’s worth of food and cooking lunch for hungry residents. He is talented at finding nutritional food on … Read more

Faces of Hope: Lena

by

n Lena’s life, Catholic Charities was not simply the provider of food and clothing during challenging times. They restored her hope and faith in Jesus Christ. Lena, a proud Catholic wife and mother, described her first transformative encounter with Catholic Charities like it was yesterday. Another day of barely getting by while living in her … Read more