SENIOR LIVING

Heartfelt thanks to our CDA donors

By Guy Mikkelsen | April 2, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

I have written in several recent columns just how difficult these times are for our parishioners and neighbors, struggling as we are with job insecurity, layoffs, loss of college and retirement savings and related stresses. I have also noted how our economic woes are especially punishing for those members of our community who are most vulnerable — children, single parent and working families, adults with disabilities, the elderly and those who strive to care for them.

In the midst of these uncertain times, however, there are great heroes. For the most part they work quietly in the background to live out their beliefs and share their limited resources to protect and assist those most in need. Among these heroes must certainly be counted those of you who have contributed again this year, in trying times, to the diocesan Charity and Development Appeal.

Each year thousands pledge financial assistance to the many religious, educational and social programs sponsored by the Diocese of Phoenix. As a Catholic Charities agency of the Diocese, the Foundation for Senior Living is one of the fortunate recipients of your generosity. FSL administers more than 15 different major health and social service programs serving over 26,000 persons each year and supported by over 40 different public and private funding sources. Although the CDA accounts for about three percent of our annual budget, I cannot tell you how significant your support is in helping us live out the mission of Catholic social justice.

FSL uses CDA funds to subsidize important programs like adult day health care and in-home personal and health care services when reimbursement rates by funders are not adequate to provide quality assistance for those in need. One example is when FSL caregivers bring along food and cleaning supplies to homebound clients whose pantries are empty.  In other cases CDA, funds allow FSL to continue serving clients when reimbursement rates are reduced and eligibility standards disqualify needy seniors and adults with disabilities.

CDA dollars also help fund FSL’s Pathways Program, the main support center where callers with urgent needs are assisted by professional social workers who help them navigate the complex maze of public social programs, complete applications and ensure they receive the best resources available. In dire cases where no other funding is available, FSL uses its remaining pool of CDA funds to provide “last resort” emergency assistance.

Our seniors’ stories

Nothing, I believe, can better convey the value of your CDA contributions and the sense of gratitude they engender than the following real life stories:

-- David and Maria, a proud elderly couple, could not afford groceries after paying their rent. They took turns eating. Only one would have lunch and the other would eat dinner. An FSL Pathways social worker got them qualified for food assistance and home delivered meals. They now eat three meals a day and have gotten over their fear of the stigma of receiving public help.

-- Ron, a 72-year-old veteran, could not maneuver his wheelchair in his mobile home. He also could no longer afford phone calls to his out-of-state military buddies, a critical social support in his life. FSL Pathways contacted the City of Mesa which committed dollars from its rehab program to widen Ron’s doorways and build a ramp to his front door. FSL Pathways contacted a local former Marine who now visits Ron weekly. Ron also now receives meals daily and is waiting for a donated computer that will put him back in touch with his military buddies via e-mail.

-- A 59-year-old amputee with diabetes lacked $300 to pay for prescription medicine that was critical to preventing post-surgical infection. Christopher was eligible but on a waiting list for a public program that would pay for the prescriptions but he could literally not survive through this waiting period. FSL drew from its available CDA funds to pay for Christopher’s medication.

These are only a few stories of how your generosity allows FSL to support the most vulnerable in our community. We do not take your support for granted. We work hard to use your gifts prudently to leverage all other available sources of help for our clients, and we provide direct financial assistance as a last resort.

Thank you once again for helping us follow your example in living out our shared commitment to the social gospel of Jesus who proclaimed, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for Me.” We pledge to honor the example of your generosity by always being careful stewards of resources and of the compassionate traditions of the living Church.