Summer 2013 - Bethany Apartments

BETHANY APARTMENTS
Sanctuary and Strength for Victims of Domestic Abuse Since 1990 · Summer 2013
- David Maack, CEM, CPM, WCEM 1 Coordinator for the Racine County Office of
Emergency Management, former 5th District Alderman, and White Earth Ojibwe
spoke to campers about Native American
culture and traditions.
- Jeff Collen, President of Temple Beth
Isreal Sinai and CEO of the Racine YMCA
spoke of Jewish history, heritage, and traditions.
- The field trip to the Racine Zoo included
the presentation “Animals of the World” as
well as hands-on activities and learning
about reptiles.
Thanks to volunteers and donors, Summer
Camp 2013 was a HUGE success. (The
weather was also great!) Kris Hohlfelder,
Bethany’s Human Services intern from
Gateway Technical College, coordinated the event that included educational and recreational activities, meals,
fellowship, and fun. An average of fifteen
children and as many as seven volunteers
a day participated in our second annual
summer camp.
Camp activities included:
- Kid’s Day at the Racine Art Museum
- Playing Bingo
- Creating food sculptures
- A field trip to the Racine Zoo
- Miniature golf at Mulligan’s
- An ice cream social
- A food sculpture contest
- Fun and games in the backyard
- Awards ceremony and gifts made by
Emily Long, middle school student and
volunteer
- Playing at West Park
- Eating together
- Enjoying each other’s company!
The children at Bethany Apartments love
to eat! They eagerly look forward to having
meals together and always appreciate a
good snack. Summer Camp 2013 was filled
with food!
- Hot breakfast was served each morning
and included pancakes, sausages, bacon,
juice, and fruit. Milk and cereal was also
available. Intern Kris also treated the children and volunteers to Monkey Bread on
the second day of camp.
Educational activities were emphasized
at this year’s summer camp. Guest
speakers, presentations, and learning
games were highlights for the students.
- Denise Majewski’s neighborhood book
club donated a “Kewpies Lunch” the first
day of camp. Denise and fellow club
member Kathy served Kewpies hamburgers along with fruit, string cheese, Rice
Krispies treats and juice boxes.
(Continued inside . . . )
806 Wisconsin Avenue Racine, Wisconsin 53403 262-633-9446 (phone) 262-633-9463 (fax) www.bethanyapartments.org
(Summer Camp 2013, continued . . .)
- Camp also included a “pizza party” at
Mulligan’s Mini-Golf. The children had pizza
and soda before heading back to Bethany
for an Ice Cream Social.
- A food sculpture contest was a fun activity AND it provided a healthy snack .
This spring and summer found the children of Bethany Apartments very busy.
From May until the present, they have been busy in a variety of activities
offered by the community or planned by Bethany’s staff and volunteers. The
fun will continue at least until school starts and fall activities are already being planned.
This year’s summer camp would not have
been possible without the support of
donors and volunteers. Their care, concern, and gifts of time and talents, made
Summer Camp 2013 a success.
☼ Children from two to twelve years old visited Discovery World on Saturday, May 18th. Hosted by the Junior Women’s League of Racine, and
coordinated by member Heather Hetterick, the field trip proved to be both
exciting and educational. The children also enjoyed having lunch with
members of the League.
☼ The Racine Arts Council sponsored a team from Bethany
Apartments at their Bowling for
the Arts Event on April 28th.
Thanks to the Council, our families
were also able to attend a classical guitar concert on July 25th.
Pat Levine, Racine Arts Council
President and long-time volunteer
at Bethany, has been instrumental in engaging Bethany’s women
and children in RAC activities.
☼ Jean Letsch, Sealed Air
employee and volunteer, brought
her family together to host a girl’s
sleepover on April 19th. Pizza,
makeovers, games, snacks, and
movies set the tone for an evening that did not include much
sleep. Jean continues to coordinate monthly Diversey volunteer
activities at Bethany Apartments.
We can’t wait until next year!
Intern Kris Hohlfelder also coordinated two
field trips not associated with Summer
Camp 2013. On July 15th, the children
went on a tour of the Racine Safety Building and learned about the jobs of police
and firefighters. On July 30 they went to
the Dinosaur Discovery Museum in
Kenosha. They also had a picnic lunch
and rode the trolley that day.
☼ The families of Bethany have
taken it upon themselves to have
a weekly Craft Hour. Each resident
has an opportunity to help her
neighbor learn a new skill.
Origami and beading are two of
the crafts they have explored.
Paper weaving and painting are
on the schedule for this fall. The
woman and children have a lot to
offer each other!
Weekly Craft Hour
The residents of Bethany Apartments continue to be involved in
regular activities such as the SCJ Dinner and weekly support group, along
with activities for the children.
The program at Bethany Apartments is made possible through the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Housing, programming, basic necessities, and general operating expenses are met by the support of these donors.
Donations of household items, furnishings, food, and clothing from more than 100 individuals and groups have also sustained the
program and made living comfortable for the women and children.
The following corporate gifts and grants were received since December 2012:
Albrecht Foods
Alpha Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Kappa
Andis Company
Art Metals Studio
Bethania Lutheran Church
Brownie Troop 5095,
Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary School
Budget Blinds
Buona Vita Pizzeria
Casa Blanca de Mexico
Catholic Community Foundation
CNH Employees
Cobblestone Ltd.
Common Scents
Corporate Volunteer Council
Dremel
Educators Credit Union
Funky Hannah’s
GardTec, Inc.
Girl Scout Troop 5099, Fine Arts School
Goodwill Tribe
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Herbert H, Kohl Charities
InSinkErator
Johnson Financial
Johnson Foundation
Johnson Outdoors
Junior Women’s League of Racine
Kind Dentistry
Lake House Health and Learning Center
Lakeside Curative
Lincoln Villas Communion Service Family
Manheim Milwaukee
Maresh Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home
Medical Weight Loss & Wellness
Mega Bites Café
Merchants Moving & Storage
Meridian Group, Inc.
Modine Manufacturing, Purchasing Department
North Cape Elementary School
Northern Lights Gallery
O & H Bakery
Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Ziploc bags—all sizes
Dish detergent
Floor cleaner
Pine-Sol
Laundry detergent
Shower curtain liners
Gently–used sofas
Dressers
Pots & Pans
Juice boxes
Individual serving sized
snacks
Panera Bread through the Racine Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Patrick & Anna M. Cudahy Fund
Progressive Life-Giving Word Cathedral
Racine Arts Council
Racine Bible Church
Racine Community Foundation, Anonymous Fund
Racine Community Foundation, Hamilton Family Fund
Racine Community Foundation, Leuenberger Family Fund
Racine County District Attorney’s Office
Racine Cyclery, Inc.
Racine Dominicans
Racine Dominicans 150th Anniversary Planning Committee
Racine Interfaith Coalition
Racine Police Association
Raining Cats & Dogs
Razor Sharp Fitness
Ruud Family Foundation
Sacred Heart Congregation
Salutés
SC Johnson
SC Johnson Fund, Dollars for Doers
SC Johnson, Employees of Dave Barrientez
SC Johnson, Logistics Department Employees
Sealed Air
Sew ‘n Save
St. Joseph School
St. Lucy’s Catholic Church
St. Patricks Congregation
St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church
St. Paul the Apostle Parish
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Women
St. Richard of Chichester Catholic Parish
Starbucks
The Pink Magnolia
Uncorkt
United Way of Racine County
Volunteer Center of Racine County
Warren Industries, Inc.
Wayman A.M.E. Missionary Society
Wilson’s Coffee & Tea
Woman’s Club of Racine Foundation
Pocket folders
Spiral notebooks
Pencil sharpeners
Backpacks
Colored pencils
Crayola markers
Loose leaf paper
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Canned Soup
Rice-A-Roni
Good food and great fun headlined the
evening of March 26th. Pizza from Wells
Brothers, egg dying, and gifts for the children made for a wonderful time! Johnson Outdoors has partnered with Bethany
Apartments this year and has since returned to help prep apartments.
Merchants Moving and Storage have
supported Bethany Apartments for many
years and they have been instrumental in
providing furnishings to many of our families. They helped us again on April 11
when they delivered a truckload of furniture they had stored for us. Merchants
also spreads the word about our mission
to clients who may have furniture and
household items they wish to donate
once their move is completed.
The staff of the District Attorney’s office
took up a collection on behalf of Bethany
Apartments during this year’s observance
of National Crime Victim’s Week, April 2127. Body wash, diapers, wipes, snacks,
books, soap and many other items
needed by our families were delivered by
some of their cheerful staff. Bethany
Apartments is grateful for their long history
of support.
Thanks to Janet Lewis, a member of St.
Paul the Apostle, some of the residents of
Lincoln Villas have become supporters of
Bethany Apartments. Their tradition of
bringing Easter Baskets continued this
year. We are also grateful for their support
during the winter holidays. Individual
members of this group have taken it upon
themselves to donate food at Thanksgiving and the group also adopts a family at
Christmas.
Students from Carthage College sponsored a May 8th self-care class that included a breast self-exam lesson, contact
information for local health services, and
stressed the importance of self-check-ups
and regular visits to the doctor. May
15th’s class discussed useful stress management and coping strategies. This
group also volunteered by helping with
apartment preparation, work in the food
pantry, and learned about the impact of
domestic violence by attending support
group
This Missionary Society travels from Hillside,
Illinois twice a year to visit the women and
children. They always bring lunch, music,
and words of encouragement. This spring
they cleaned, served a spaghetti lunch,
sang, AND gave the women of Bethany
hand massages and makeovers in honor
of Mother’s Day.
Employees of Johnson Bank came to
tackle a number of jobs including window
washing, cleaning, apartment preparation, and yard work. This year they wore tshirts that said “Service Day EVERYDAY.”
We always appreciate their visits!
A group from Community Church did the
final touches on an apartment that now
belongs to one of our newest residents
and her four daughters. They also worked
on the food pantry, disinfected toys, and
cleaned the office area.
Bethany Apartments held its first annual
spaghetti dinner fundraiser this year. A
silent auction, rapid raffle and 50/50 raffle
coincided with the dinner. The regular
raffle drawing was on August 2nd at Casa
Blanca de Mexico restaurant. The winners
of our first raffle were:
1st Place, $1,000 * Alberta Nielsen
2nd Place, $500 * Mary Lou Feick
(Donated to Bethany Apartments)
3rd Place, $250 * Barry Sanders
(Donated to H.O.P.E.Safehouse
4th Place, $100 * Sister Jean Anthony
Ver Voort
(Donated to Fran & Judy Ver Voort)
5th Place, $50 * Sandra LaPoint
6th Place, $50 * Judy Lutkus
Two weeks after their interns were here,
the SC Johnson Finance employees
came for their day of service. They
cleaned, weeded, vacuumed, mopped,
and MOVED MORE FURNITURE. They
moved approximately two dozen pieces
of furniture, as well as took large items to
the dumpster.
Along with the cleaning, yard work, and
apartment prep that normally takes
place during a service day, this year’s visit
from the marketing interns at SC Johnson
included activities for our youngest Residents. The children had a great time coloring, doings crafts, and playing Twister.
Our building and the smiles on the children’s faces were sparkling by the end of
the day!
It isn’t often that someone in a service
project group will ask, “Do you have anything to move?” That happened on Friday, August 2nd when we welcomed
interns from SC Johnson’s Finance Department. Everything on our “To Do” list
was completed, plus we were able to
start moving furniture into an apartment
we were prepping for our next resident.
Alvie Stephenson and Andy Christensen
delivered three new 18” bikes from
Nortec Systems on August 16. Part of a
team building exercise that included a
countywide scavenger hunt followed by
a contest to see which team could build
their bike fastest, the event benefited
both the employees of Nortec and the
children of Bethany. The bikes will be
available to our children on as needed
basis.
If space permitted, we would include a
picture of everyone that walked through
the doors of Bethany Apartments with
food, clothing, house wares, books and
magazines, and kind words of support.
Everything you do and say warms the
hearts of the residents and staff. Thank you
for your part in the fight against
domestic violence!
Jacqueline found her way to
Bethany Apartments through
blind faith and the resolve to
create a better life for herself.
Although she found herself
homeless after fleeing domestic violence, Jacqueline knew,
in her heart, she deserved a
better life. She believes that
Bethany Apartments has given
her a way to work toward the
life every woman deserves,
one filled with dignity and selfworth. Jacqueline has agreed
to share her story with Bethany
Apartments’ supporters. Her
story is unique, but the struggle
to gain independence and
self-sufficiency after leaving
an abusive relationship is common to those that find their
way to our sanctuary.
job, couldn’t pay her rent, and
ran out of unemployment
benefits. She found her way to
Kenosha’s crisis shelter,
Women’s and Children’s Horizons. It was then that she realized that although she had
“nothing”, she did not want to
go back to the relationship.
Jacqueline said she took a
“leap of faith” and decided to
remain homeless. She says “I
wanted to make a positive
change to better my life and I
prayed regarding my situation.
If you don’t mind me saying
so, I was given an awesome
and wonderful opportunity
from God through Mrs. Jackson [former Executive Director], who acted as his servant.
I truly appreciate Bethany
Apartments.”
Jacqueline has been very
busy since arriving at Bethany
Apartments on April 22, 2013.
She is proud of her small, onebedroom apartment, keeps it
immaculate, and has added
touches that make it her own.
She was soon employed by
Bethany; she cleans the inside
and outside of the building
and keeps it as neat and tidy
as her apartment. She enjoys
her job, takes pride in it, and
says that it helps her stay disciplined in trying to meet the
goals she has made for herself.
The life Jacqueline leads at
Bethany is exemplary. She has
Jacqueline left her last relationship because she was “sick
and tired of verbal and emotional abuse” that left her
drained. She was also struggling to hold on to the selfesteem that took years to
build. Jacqueline’s situation
was unbearable, but there
was a good chance that if she
left she would end up homeless.
Jacqueline relied on her faith
to see her through a very
rough time after leaving her
abuser. Unfortunately, she
couldn’t find a living-wage
many objectives, all created
so she can lead a selfsufficient life when she leaves
here. Jacqueline is always
mindful that she only has two
years to finish the program
and says “ . . . if one can’t do
something good and positive
in two years, God help them
because they don’t have their
priorities straight. God gives us
free will and everything you
need to succeed is right here.
You can’t ask for anymore.”
She also appreciates that everything you need to better
your life is within three blocks
of Bethany Apartments: Gateway Technical College, the
Racine Public Library, Racine
Literacy Council, and the
YMCA.
Jacqueline is actively pursuing
admission to CNC Boot Camp
at Gateway Technical in partnership with the Workforce
Development Center. Jacqueline studies hard and receives
tutoring from a fellow resident.
She has finished the testing
required for her application
and is now waiting to see if
she will be admitted to the
program. Jacqueline works
out at the YMCA and volunteers at the YWCA “Dress for
Success” program located at
Regency Mall.
Obviously, Jacqueline is a disciplined woman and she has
many goals. This is her “to do”
list, in her own words:
- Be accepted into CNC Boot
Camp and finish it successfully
- Find a good paying job with
benefits
- Take care of my responsibilities at Bethany Apartments
- Save money and move into
my own apartment in a nice,
quiet neighborhood
- Be a productive member of
society and, with the skills I’ve
learned, contribute to the
economy
- Give back (volunteer), especially after all the good and
positive things that have been
afforded to me through God
by strangers (God’s servants)
Jacqueline does find time to
enjoy herself and has many
interests. She loves fashion and
says “I enjoy and have a
passion and God-given talent
for putting affordable thrift
items together and making
then look smart and professional and fun!” Jacqueline
also enjoys music, dancing,
singing, and learning new
things. She would also love to
go horseback riding!
Jacqueline is thankful for the
many blessings that come with
living at Bethany, including (in
her own words):
- First, and most importantly,
it’s clean here, there are no
rodents, and your apartment is
completely furnished. Anything you need is here when
you arrive. It’s a true blessing
from God through human
kindness and service.
- You are given counseling for
all areas of your life if you
need or ask for it.
- There are nutrition and other
support groups that empower
you to make better decisions
and responsible choices in
your life.
- The staff is small, but super
and is there to help you with
your goals.
- We have a great intern
working at Bethany right now.
Its temporary, but it’s a great
help to us.
- A church comes from Chicago [Progressive Life-Giving
Word Cathedral] twice a year.
They are a huge Christian inspiration and a totally positive
influence on your life.
- There are many churches in
the neighborhood that anyone can attend for spiritual
guidance.
- Police are right across the
street – you feel safe!
Jacqueline was asked, “If she
could make anything possible,
what would it be?” Her responses included:
- Peace on earth, good will to
all and no more homelessness.
- Equality to everyone, a level
playing field for all, no more
poverty.
- One or two more Bethany
Apartments for women and
children in the United States.
This place is a well-kept gem
that no one knows about.
- For myself, I would love good
health. To reverse my heart
disease through eating right,
fasting, and exercise.
- A used car that is reliable to
get to and from work without
breaking down when I’m finished with CNC Boot Camp.
“I would like to share that the
Bethany experience builds
your self-confidence and
character. If you have selfconfidence already, but your
circumstances brought you
here, you can soar to even
greater heights. The sky is the
limit with the tools offered here
and the skills you can obtain
through education and other
sources. With hard work, determination, and discipline, an
entire new world is opened up
to you.”
We are proud to have Jacqueline as a Bethany resident
and look forward to watching
her reach her goals!
Bloom
A resident of Bethany Apartments recently
shared the story of her family with us. It is a
story of love and sacrifice, and the selfsufficiency that comes from hardship and
making difficult choices. It proves that feelings
of empathy override bitterness and pain, and
that optimism makes for a better future. We
are honored that she shared the following
story with us.
This is the story of the woman I honor. Her
name is Lou Hazel and she began her life
motherless. Her mother, Mary Jane, died in
childbirth, never revealing the name of the
father. Mary Jane’s sister, Della Holly, was
married and took the infant, and named her
after her mother. (Della and Mary Jane came
from a family with 14 children!) Della and her
husband raised baby Mary Jane as their own
daughter and as she grew up, she became
very close to her sister Lou Hazel. (Lou Hazel is
my third cousin, my mother is one of Mary
Jane’s six children.)
Mary Jane and Lou Hazel were cousins, but
they were raised as sisters. After they married,
they had parallel lives as wives and mothers.
Unfortunately, family history repeated itself in
their adult lives. Mary Jane, my grandmother,
fell ill and her doctor believed she was dying.
One of her final wishes was for all six of her
children to be raised together. Obligated to
the military, Mary Jane’s husband was unable
to honor this request. To prevent the children
from being scattered amongst her husband’s
siblings, Lou Hazel raised Mary Jane’s children
along with her own three.
Granting this wish to Mary Jane cost Lou Hazel
everything, including her marriage and a
promising career as a teacher in the northern
states. Lou Hazel moved south with her
mother Della and the two of them worked
very hard to make a decent life for all nine
children.
Lou Hazel is the woman in my life that I honor
because of the sacrifice she made for my
grandmother, mother, and my mother’s siblings. Her decision to raise my mother and her
siblings was not her first selfless gesture. Three
important interventions made during her lifetime have had a major impact on my life.
Where You Are Planted
♥ When my mother was an infant she was
gravely ill and my grandmother was dying.
Lou Hazel travelled south, took my mother
north with and took her to doctors that practiced modern medicine. It took a year to
nurse my mother back to full health. Lou
Hazel then took my her back south. My
grandmother did not pass away until my
mother was four. Thanks to Lou Hazel, they
were able to spend more time together.
♥ My mother was nine years old when she
was pronounced dead from a blood clot. This
was during the 50s; she lived in a small town in
the south and there wasn’t an ambulance or
a hospital. When my mother collapsed from
the blood clot, Lou Hazel carried her to the
local sheriff who then drove them to the closest city with a hospital.
When they arrived, the doctors and staff said
it was too late for my mother, too late to even
try. Lou Hazel threw such a fit and made so
many pleas, that the head surgeon walked
out into the hallway to address the commotion. Lou Hazel insisted that something be
done, she wouldn’t stop fighting for my
mother’s life, and the surgeon agreed to work
on her. She had major surgery – the surgeon
removed the blockage from her neck, leaving her partially paralyzed. By God’s grace
my mother is alive and well today. She is now
sixty years old.
♥ When my mother reached adulthood, Lou
Hazel sent her north to explore life with her
remaining family. My mother became pregnant, throwing the family into an uproar because they felt a partially paralyzed woman
could not raise a baby. The family in the north
were making arrangements for my mother to
have an abortion. Lou Hazel’s third intervention overrode their decision and left my
mother free to have a child of her own. I
would not be here today if Lou Hazel had not
intervened!
Lou Hazel is important to me because she
always kept her word, gave up the comforts
of her own life to help others, and was unmoved in her battle to stand up for others
when they could not stand up for themselves.
She was called “Aunt Lou” throughout her life,
but she will always be “Mamma” to my mom
and “Grandma” to me.
“Grandma” has now returned to our Father in
the kingdom of heaven and there she awaits
in hopes that we make it too. She is forever in
my heart, imprinted in my thoughts. She is
more than a memory—she is a part of me, the
strong part that can move forward and run
the course. I still get overjoyed to see my
mother living a full life because Lou Hazel’s
desperate pleas were answered by God and
His mercy.
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
806 Wisconsin Avenue
Racine, Wisconsin 53403-1569
www.bethanyapartments.org
United Way
of Racine County
Partner Provider
PAID
Racine, WI
Permit No. 1594
Community
Foundation
ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE
Bethany Board of Directors
Michelle Dawson
President
Robert Geopel
Vice President
Betty Ann Heegeman, O.P.
Lisa Kane, O.P.
Secretary
Deb Karazewski
Elizabeth Koll
Lesley Larson
Treasurer
Pam Nichols
Shenelle Waters
Blanca Webers
Bethany Staff
Donna Lyons
Assistant to Director

Catherine Bender
Administrative Assistant

Kadian Edwards
Resident Manager
Thank you for your continued support of the women and children of Bethany Apartments, a
program of Catherine Marian Housing, Inc., a collaborative ministry of the Racine Dominicans
and the Wheaton Franciscans. Here is an update on changes at Bethany.
We are grateful for Lynda Jackson’s faithful and dedicated service to Bethany as Executive
Director and Case Manager. Since her resignation in June, the Corporate Member and
Board of Directors have in place a process for hiring a new Executive Director and for providing case management.
In the interim HOPES Center of Racine has been asked to provide leadership and services to
the women and their families. Both Bethany and HOPES Center (another ministry of the
Racine Dominicans) have been and continue to be community partners in seeking resources
to provide services that meet the needs of the marginalized, poor and abused in our city.
Bethany Apartments is in full operation, striving to always provide a place of safety for abused
women and children seeking to heal and make a life for themselves. As you will see in the
rest of this newsletter, life is full for the women and children of Bethany Apartments.
Please keep our search for a new Director in your prayers, and share news of the Bethany
and HOPES ministries with people you know. We are grateful for the many ways you support
our work and share your love with the women and children Bethany serves.
Respectfully,
Sr. Sharon Simon, OP
Corporate Member, President
Michelle Dawson
CMHI, President/Chair