Her son’s birth was the most joyous event of Yolanda’s young life. But it wasn’t long after that she and little Devin became homeless.

Like so many others who find themselves homeless in New York, Yolanda had been staying in an overcrowded apartment, so packed with people that living conditions were hazardous. It was clear to everyone that she and Devin could not stay.

With no job and no income, she had few options. So one cold November day, she packed their few belongings and went to the PATH Center in the Bronx, which processes shelter requests and placements.

Yolanda and Devin were referred to Providence House. She remembers:

When I arrived at Providence House I had never worked a day in my life. The Providence House Employment Specialist, Ms. Toyloy, helped me get into a job readiness skills program. After completing this program, I was able to get a job with Butter Beans Inc. which provides nutritious lunches for school-age children. I have been working for the last year in a charter school helping faculty and students become more aware of the value of nutrition. My Case Manager, Ms. Lawrence, and the

Program Coordinator, Ms. Jackson, have both been so helpful to me during my time at Providence House. They have shown genuine care for my son as well as for me. They have made themselves available during those times when I needed to talk about personal matters. They also made sure I was on target in meeting my program goals. With their guidance I began a training course towards earning a food handler's license and studying for the TASC (GED preparation) test.

Yolanda worked diligently with Ms. Simpson, the Housing Specialist, who helps all Providence House residents find safe, affordable, and permanent places to live. She and Devin moved into their own apartment this summer. She is awaiting the results of her GED test, and will complete her food handler’s training within weeks.

My ultimate goal is to go on to college. Most of all I am grateful for the help I

received in transitioning into my own apartment. It was at Providence House that I began taking personal responsibility for myself and my son. For my son Devin, who is two years old, my primary concerns are to make sure he is healthy and safe and to teach him the importance of education.

Yolanda and Devin’s story mirrors those of so many at Providence House. Every day, we open our doors to young women grappling with homelessness, single parenthood, incomplete education, and little or no work experience. Your support allows us to provide them with caring, supportive environments and practical help to create successes like this. Yolanda, Devin, and so many others thank you. Because you care, they have safe places to sleep tonight and hopeful plans for tomorrow.

“It was at Providence House that I began taking personal responsibility. . .”

Yolanda’s Story

HOMELESSNESS

in NEW YORK

Did you know…?*

Homelessness in New

York City is at its highest level since the Great Depression in 1930, and 75% higher than in 2002.

54,851 people stayed in

the city’s homeless shelters in August 2014. On an average night that month, 16,402 families—including 23,635 children—slept in shelters.

Most homeless families

are pushed into homelessness by eviction, overcrowded or unsafe housing, or domestic violence.

*Sources: Coalition for the Homeless and New York City Department of Homeless Services

September 2014 issue

Providence House Heartline

www.providencehouse.org

During her years as a criminal defense attorney, Sara Bennett became well acquainted with the challenges parolees face as they adjust to life on the outside. Even as they were excited by the possibilities of their regained freedom, many ex-offenders she met were overwhelmed by the demands of their jobs, bewildered by the pace of mainstream life, and anxious about keeping it all together. So, when she left legal practice to become certified as a yoga instructor, Sara immediately saw the benefit that practice could have. “I know that re-entry can be difficult and hectic,” she said, “and setting aside even a few moments for yoga can be good for everyone.” As she was already acquainted with Providence House, both through her previous clients and her close friendship with Providence House foundress Sister Elaine Roulet, CSJ, Sara decided to share yoga techniques with our residents who need some quiet and calm moments in their lives. Sara began leading classes at Providence House V, our re-entry residence. The women there participated eagerly and

were surprised at how peaceful and relaxed the practice made them feel. Sara then extended the classes to the formerly homeless women and children at Providence House II. It was a challenge for her to design classes that would include adults and children of varying levels of fitness, flexibility, and energy. In no time, however, all of the residents and even some staff were moving, stretching, and breathing along. After eight months of successful classes, Sara has found the effort rewarding. She particularly enjoys the closing minutes of each class, when participants lie quietly in a resting pose called savasana. No matter the chaos, anxieties, or setbacks the day brought, a serene silence falls on the house. After a few minutes, they slowly rise, relaxed,

refreshed, and ready to face the challenges ahead. In 2013 Sara published a booklet, Spirit on the Inside; Reflections on Doing Time with Judith Clark, which features photos and interviews with 16 formerly incarcerated women. It was recently selected for inclusion in Phoenix Art Museum's INFOCUS Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks. Sara is now working on publishing a new book of photographs of former long-term inmates who have recently come home from prison.

"What I saw was that there is always an interest from the residents. However, time constraints and scheduling sometimes made it difficult for them to participate. I think this project is important because the moms want a 'pocket of peace' and I have noticed that the some of the moms and children are breathing much slower and calmer, which is fantastic." ~Sara Bennett

“Pocket of Peace”: Volunteer Sara Bennett’s weekly yoga sessions help residents slow down, breathe, and take a break

from their stressful lives.

Westchester Junior League Gets Things Cooking at PH IV Volunteers from the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS) recently completed a project to help prepare the women and children at our New Rochelle residence to make a successful transition to permanent, independent housing. Featured in the June 2014 issue of the New Rochelle Review, the effort provided “care kits” of basic kitchen supplies to women who are preparing to move out of Providence House IV.

JLWOS’s Done in a Day Committee members Patricia Yoder, Angela Gill, Stephanie Pierce,

and Sarah Hammarley gathered kitchen essentials, including cookware, cooking utensils, dishware, cutlery, basic tools, and cleaning supplies. Provisional members Kira Akulova, Andrea Barnard, Marianna Donnelly, Stacey Harvey, Catherine Hunt, Tara Meddaugh, and Nancy Zang put together additional bundles of items for the children, such as high chairs, place settings, safety equipment, a range of healthy snacks, gift vouchers, and toys, all stored in useful under-bed toy boxes. Thank you Junior League!

Cathy Fulwood joins the Providence House team as the first Chief Operating Officer in the agency’s history. Prior to joining Providence House, Cathy was the Associate Executive Director of Jericho Project, which provides housing and support services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families, most particularly to returning veterans. She has also provided management consulting and training assistance to start-up non-profit organizations,

specifically assisting them in developing systems for organizational management and budgeting. She has over 17 years experience in management and finance, including 11 years as Director of the Office of Loan Administration for a $90 million denominational investment fund in New York City. Cathy holds a B.A. from Mills College and has been a realtor licensed with the Eastern Bergen County Board of Realtors since 2001.

Rita Taddonio, L.C.S.W., comes to Providence House after 13 years as a member of the executive leadership team at Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children in New York City. As Director of the Adoption Resource Center she developed and managed one of their three major departments. At Spence-Chapin, she was responsible for the development and implementation of several landmark programs such as the preparation and support of families adopting from foster care; training in child development and attachment for orphanage staff in Colombia, China, Bulgaria, and Russia; and a specialized

attachment/trauma counseling team. Rita was an Early Intervention Official for NYC Early Intervention and before that the Director of Medical and Social Services at Francis de Paola Preschool for Developmentally Delayed Children. She has worked with children and families as a social worker for over 20 years working with the New York City Board of Education, the New York City Administration for Children's Services, and community programs. She has a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and a Master of Psychology from New York University.

Providence House New Leadership Staff

Joining us at our Lexington Avenue offices is Scott Stepp, our new Director of Development. Scott will work closely with our staff and board, raising funds to grow Providence House’s services for homeless families and individuals during a very critical time. “Providence House’s past accomplishments are very impressive,” Scott said, “and the work done in our residences is especially important today. There are record-breaking numbers of people turning to homeless shelters in the city and finding housing is tougher than ever.”

Prior to accepting the new position, Scott was Director of Development and Communications at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre (commonly known as Long Island). During his 16 years there, Scott led a team that raised funds through special events, grant proposals, direct mail, and other means. Scott has degrees from Towson State University (Baltimore, MD), New York University, and Baruch College, City University of New York.

An Anniversary Reflection On August 1, 1979 the first Providence House was opened on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. On the occasion of our 35th Anniversary, Sister Joan Gallagher, CSJ, a core community member, reflected on that history:

“As I reflect on my years at Providence House I am reminded of a quote from Dorothy Day, ‘We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes in community.’ “So many in our city, our world, know the long loneliness, and in a sense I too knew this and this was one of the driving forces for being a part of Providence House. I, like so many, sought to be part of a community that was bigger than myself. My introductory experiences to Providence House showed how a diverse group could live together because all were welcomed at the table without expectations or judgment. “At this table as I listen to the stories I know that it is the very bread of each person’s life that is being shared. The bread of the many lives gathered as one…what greater love can one give or receive?”

Cathy Fulwood Chief Operating Officer

Scott Stepp Director of Development

Rita Taddonio Director of Programs

Residents and core community share a meal at Providence House V

Visual Arts Day at Providence House Childcare Center

Priscilla Shen-Ribeiro, who teaches Visual Arts to children at P.S. 295-Studio School of Arts and Culture in Brooklyn, shared her talents with the children at Providence House this summer. This was one of many activities planned by our childcare staff to keep the little ones engaged, learning, and having fun together while their moms pursue work opportunities.

Thank you, Priscilla!

PROVIDENCE HOUSE, INC. • 703 LEXINGTON AVENUE • BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11221 www.providencehouse.org • 718.455.0197 (Main Number) • 718.455.0692 (Fax)