The Valley Catholic March 21, 2017 | Page 6

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6 coMMuNity
March 21 , 2017 | The Valley Catholic

Catholic Charities Helps the Community Recover From Flood Disaster

The waters have receded and neighborhoods have dried out since the San Jose Flood displaced 14,000 people on February 22 . The majority of residents have returned home . Yet there are still hundreds of victims who do not have a suitable home to return to , and the wait may be longer for others . While many have mucked out their basements or ground level floors , decontaminated what they could , and have returned to their normal routines , there are still residents who need all kinds of assistance .
As the Catholic Church ’ s local disaster response agency , Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is leading midterm to long-term assistance response to families affected by the disaster . We are a member of CADRE ( Collaborating Agencies ’ Disaster Relief Effort ), which is the network of Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disasters ( VOAD ).
Catholic Charities will assist survivors who are currently displaced , with short-term to mid-term housing assistance and housing search assistance . The agency also provides mid-term to long-term advocacy and guidance , help accessing additional resources , and compassionate care . All services are provided free of cost to people regardless of faith , legal status , race or nationality , age , disability , gender , or sexual orientation .
Our program staff and volunteers have assisted at the Local Assistance Center ( LAC ) at the George Shirakawa Community Center since it first opened . Catholic Charities disaster relief case workers are continuing to see families at Seven Trees Community Center ( the disaster recovery shelter ) and at Charities
Housing Development Corporation ’ s Paseo-Senter Apartments , where Catholic Charities has program offices . This is located in the heart of the Rock Springs neighborhood , the hardest hit area during the flood .
“ Catholic Charities staff and volunteers are committed to helping the community recover from this disaster ,” said Raúl Rocha , Disaster Case Manager . “ We know that many of the people affected were already struggling to make ends meet , and we want to help them get back on their feet , however long it takes .”
Catholic Charities urgently needs apartments for short term or mid-term master lease by Catholic Charities . The agency also needs volunteers who are willing to provide translation services , assessment , information and referral ,
counseling , and guidance to neighbors displaced by the flood . Since many of the flood victims are Vietnamese and Spanish speakers , we especially welcome volunteers fluent in either language . Learn more about the volunteer role at www . catholiccharitiesscc . org / assisting-community .
We are in this for the long haul and will help our neighbors until they are back on their feet . Thus , we also need funding for long-term advocacy , connections with available housing , and cash assistance to provide services and resources to flood clients . Any amount is welcome . To donate , please text “ Flood ” to ( 408 ) 669-4126 or visit www . catholiccharitiesscc . org / flood-relief . To offer housing email disasterrelief @ CatholicCharitiesSCC . org or call ( 866 ) 305-0617 .
Detention Ministry Training Session Set
The next training session for Detention Ministry in the Santa Clara County Correctional Facilities will be held on May 20 at the Chancery Office : 1150 North First Street , San Jose . If you think you are interested in serving incarcerated persons and would like further information , contact Sister Maryann Cantlon at ( 408 ) 983-0131 or mcantlon @ dsj . org .

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April is National Child Abuse prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
By Griselda Cervantez , MSW , DSJ Victim Assistance Coordinator
Every Sunday , we are surrounded by people in our congregation who have personally experienced abuse . The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in four girls and one in six boys will experience some form of sexual abuse before they turn 18 . Child and sexual abuse have no limits : children and adolescents of all cultures and socio-economic backgrounds are equally susceptible .
The Diocese of San Jose Office for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults ( OPCVA ) reminds us that clergy , schools , volunteers , and parishioners all play important roles in preventing and responding to child abuse . Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month are a special invitation to look beyond what we already know and develop an increased mindfulness . As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops tells us , “ We are reminded of the call to be instruments of justice , working for the common good of all , which includes the protection of children . As Jesus entrusts to Peter the care of the flock , we are reminded that this responsibility belongs to everyone as a matter of charity and justice .”
To aid us in our journey through the month of April , the OPCVA has compiled the following list : 1 . The OPCVA will distribute posters , bookmarks , and pins donated by Partners in Prevention . Pick one up at a parish or school near you !
2 . Explore the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Child and Youth Protection website to learn more about the Church ’ s commitment to child abuse prevention www . usccb . org / issues-and-action / child-and-youth-protection
3 . Visit the U . S . Department of Health & Human Services - Child Welfare Information Gateway website to gain access to enriching tools and resources , including an April calendar with daily activities to promote child abuse prevention www . childwelfare . gov / topics / preventing / preventionmonth
4 . Participate in the YWCA Silicon Valley / As One Project ! Training - How to Support a Survivor of Sexual Assault . For more information and to register , visit www . eventbrite . com / e / how-to-support-a-survivor-of-sexual-assaulttickets-31969822600
5 . This year , Denim Day is April 26 – to learn how wearing denim can have a purpose , support survivors , and educate yourself and others about sexual assault , please visit www . denimdayinfo . org
6 . Check out the Diocese of San Jose - OPCVA website to find out how we promote child abuse prevention and awareness at www . dsj . org / opcva To share your personal journey in learning more about child abuse prevention and sexual assaut , please contact the OPCVA at ( 408 ) 983-0225 or vac @ dsj . org by May 15 , and your story may be featured in a future publication . See that you do not despise one of these little ones , for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father ( MT 18:10 ).