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from October 10, 2004

Our Civic Responsibility for the Common Good
by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke

Questions and answers concerning Archbishop Burke's pastoral letter

Partnership Helps Catholic Charities Open Housing To Help Less Fortunate

 
Supporters chatted outside Casa Maria House following the dedication
of the Catholic Charities project.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A dedication was held in September to celebrate the completion of the Casa Maria House located in northwest Oklahoma City.  Members of the community, City Councilman Sam Bowman, city officials, Board of Directors for Catholic Charities, and employees of Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City attended the dedication and blessing of the property.  Casa Maria is located at 613 N.W. 30th Street near the Paseo District.   Families are scheduled to move in to the apartments this fall.

Archbishop Eusebius Beltran blessed the property and addressed the crowd in attendance.  Tim O’Connor, Catholic Charities Executive Director, and Cheryl Borelli, Chairman of the Board of Directors, welcomed about 75 guests and thanked everyone involved in the project.

During the dedication ceremony, several individuals, agencies, and businesses were recognized for their involvement and support.  Partnering with Catholic Charities was Neighborhood Services Organization.  Executive Director Lodema Fisher and John Agnitsch, developer, worked closely with Catholic Charities on the renovation .  Others recognized for their help with Casa Maria were Dale Gannon, general manager of Westin Hotel for furniture; a private donor for $10,000 worth of appliances; Sine Construction for supplying labor for installation of blinds and curtain rods; Summer Wood for making curtains, and City Councilman Sam Bowman for his support.

Safe and affordable housing is a primary need of many of the families seeking assistance at Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City.  Through Casa Maria, Catholic Charities will offer housing, support, and direction these families need to move forward to permanent housing and self-sufficiency, Julia Reed, Assistant Executive Director for Catholic Charities, stated.  

 “Families served by Catholic Charities are often working, but their income has not been sufficient enough to maintain housing and accomplish the goals that will help them climb out of the traps of poverty.  We are very excited to have additional housing to assist these families,” Reed said.

The development of Casa Maria has been made possible through extensive community collaboration with the City of Oklahoma City and with Neighborhood Services Organization.

Casa Maria is a six-unit apartment building.  Families served by the program are helped by a Catholic Charities case manager to define their goals and develop a plan for accomplishing those goals.  Many of these people served are at risk of being homeless.  Families may reside in the program no longer than 12 to 18 months, with a goal of moving from Casa Maria to a permanent home.  While in the program, clients receive assistance with budgeting, accessing community services, building job skills, and other areas as indicated.  

For information on how to become involved with Casa Maria by making a referral, volunteering, or making a contribution, contact Family Support Services at Catholic Charities, at (405) 523-3012.