St. Joseph’s Family Center is getting ready for its largest
fundraiser of the year, the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner to be held
on March 13.
St. Joseph’s Family Center is getting ready for its largest fundraiser of the year, the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner to be held on March 13.
“This event is important to us in many ways,” Director David Cox explained. “The most meaningful is having the chance to share conversation, entertainment and wonderful food with our friends in the community. The event also allows St. Joseph’s to raise funds to support the ever-growing need of our core programs, like our senior hot meals program at Wheeler Manor, nutritious food subsidies for very low-income families and transitional housing services for the homeless.
“Over the last two years, demand for our services has increased over 28 percent. We also are developing new outreach programs, including a computer technology center and a diabetes health initiative with other agencies in the local area. We are excited about the potential that these opportunities will bring.”
So far, St. Joseph’s has been able to keep pace with the growing needs of our community. This is no easy task right now for any nonprofit when you consider that demand for food has been steadily increasing, up 30 percent from previous years, as St. Joseph’s feeds an average of 80 families per day now compared to 50 in the past.
The demographics of the Ochoa population include unemployed families, white-collar workers and others who are experiencing their first episode of homelessness and need for social services.
St. Joseph’s has a very generous community to thank for enabling it to continue to provide such quality service to so many. One example is the Baptist Church’s recent decision to raise the amount donated per month to St. Joseph’s. A crucial factor in making St. Joseph’s so successful are the many donors which cross all cultural, ethnic, and religious lines; food is provided by members of every faith and of every corporate persuasion here in Gilroy. When it comes to caring for the needy, Gilroy is a shining example of a community working together.
The staff at St. Joseph’s is truly dedicated to its mission of helping improve the lives of others. At the February Board meeting, staff member Lili Armenta gave a report on the Winter season at the Ochoa Migrant Center and the services provided there by St. Joseph’s Family Center.
Sixty-seven families (including 107 adults and 140 children, 71 of whom were under the age of five) have needed transitional housing this winter while looking for better opportunities. Twenty-five families there live on less than $750 income per month. Five caseworkers have been assigned 13 families each. These caseworkers attempt to give them one-on-one attention as they guide them through the program, with the objective of helping them to become self-sufficient. Weekly computer classes have been added for the first time. ESL classes are held three times a week, and at weekly house meetings, residents share stories of how St. Joseph’s has benefited them and made the difference when they were faced with critical situations, such as domestic violence.
Lili Armenta also worked with the Dentists With a Heart outreach this month, where many families with young children who cannot afford dental insurance had the opportunity to see a dentist for the very first time. For some, this will mean the difference in keeping their teeth into adulthood. This countywide effort was made possible by the Health Trust through the work done by the Mobile Dental Health Clinic and the volunteer efforts of 60 dentists.
Vivian Varela of the Santa Clara County Public Health Dept. commended the efforts of Lili, “I will work with you any day,” she said as she described what it was like: “I was so glad to have been a part of this effort, to be there to see the children come out from the dentist’s office, smiling, showing off their fillings, or sparkling teeth …”
She described one child who had been terrified when anyone even looked into her mouth, but “Dr. Laveroni and his staff were so kind and patient with her that by the time she was done, she was smiling and thanking everyone.” Another girl had her beautiful smile restored by the dentist: “… there were tears, not only from the girl, but the parents, the staff and me. She hugged everyone and the dentist.”
Of the upcoming St. Patrick’s Dinner fundraiser, Director David Cox says, “Your support has been, and always will be, critical to our mission of improving the lives of those who are less fortunate. Please consider sponsoring this event or making a donation to assist us with our goals.”
You can also buy a ticket to attend the St. Patrick’s Dinner on March 13 and come enjoy great food, a silent auction, quality raffle prizes, entertainment, and a lively time for all.
For tickets or more information, contact St. Joseph’s at 842-6662.
Kat Teraji’s column is published every other Friday in Gilroy Life. You can reach her at ka****@ea*******.net
