GUADALUPE HOME – A PART OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Todd Stilwell, a brother Knight of St. Matthews and Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities addressed our Council about the Guadalupe Mission and provided an overview of the Catholic Charities mission.

As shown below at the entrance of St. Marks and before the meeting, GK Ysaú Flores presented Todd a $2,500 check from our Council for the Guadalupe Home, money obtained from our Council’s Skeet Shoot tournament fundraising. The 2^nd picture below shows Todd Stilwell presenting the check to Christina Higgs, Executive Director of Catholic Charities.

At the meeting, Todd cited the Catholic Charities appreciation for receipt of our Council’s donation for the Guadalupe Home. Much gratitude goes to the central figures of the fundraising event, Art Ramirez and Richard Lee.

The Guadalupe Home is a transitional living program for homeless expectant mothers and homeless mothers with infants. During their stay, mothers have a safe place to live and to prepare for birth, as well as have a home-like environment in which to nurture their baby. Women who come to Guadalupe Home are ready to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

It is noteworthy that St Marks Knights were personally involved many years ago in making the original facilities habitable, i.e., painting, carpentry, and installing fire escape (borrowed from St Marks old Knights two story building). The Knights involved in this work were Lloyd Anders, PGK Elroy Tschirhart, PGK John Thabet, PGK Nieves Gonzalez, PGK Sam Szalwinski, Troy Tollette, Fernando Arellano, and others.