 |
|||||||||
 |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
September
5, 2005 
VOL.
43, NO. 15Oakland,
CA
Home for pregnant
women
in desperate need of funds
There have been times when Barbara Jackson has had to
choose between paying the rent for Casa Vincentia and cashing her own
paycheck.
For Jackson, director of the oldest residence for homeless pregnant women
in the Oakland Diocese, the choice is obvious – “I skip a
paycheck or two when I have to because this is where my heart is.”
Holy Names Sister Maureen Webb, who died last month, founded Casa Vincentia
in 1986 with the assistance of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Since
then, nearly 500 young pregnant women have lived at Casa in safety, receiving
nutritional and personal counseling, cooking, sewing and child care classes,
employment training, money management and conflict resolution workshops.
But Casa Vincentia has been struggling to pay for these services since
9/11, when donations began dwindling. They have never picked up. Foundation
grants are also down, as is public funding, said Jackson. This year, for
example, Casa is running a $30,000 deficit.
The shortfall filters down to such barebones survival issues as coming
up with the monthly rent on time. Jackson pays $1,600 for the residential
facility and offices, which are housed in the former convent of Oakland’s
St. Cyril Parish.
It is through the generous support of such parishes as St. Joan of Arc
in San Ramon, St. Theresa in Oakland, St. Isidore in Danville, St. Monica
in Moraga and Creekside Community Church in San Leandro, as well as an
active group of volunteers, that the home has survived.
Through its affiliation with the Homeless Youth Collaborative, Casa does
receive $120,000 yearly in federal assistance to operate its two transitional
houses for four women and their babies, but such funds are not available
for the pregnant women’s residence.
Jackson, a former staff member of the American Red Cross, assumed the
directorship of Casa in 1996, eager to be part of a non-profit service
agency where “you could see people through to the end, to positive
results.”
She has not been disappointed. “These girls are like flowers, waiting
to blossom,” she said.
Many of the young women come to Casa because they lack familial support
and love, or are involved in chaotic or abusive relationships.
A few months at Casa, however, transforms them.
Every year some 52 pregnant women find a home at Casa Vincentia, which
can accommodate as many as six at any one time. Without Casa, these young
mothers-to-be would be homeless, said Jackson.
In addition, Casa provides nearly 1,800 referrals, guidance and other
services for young mothers and babies in the community each year.
In Casa’s recent newsletter to its donors, volunteer Deborah Noel
Tham said, “I never realized until today that without Casa, those
who call it home would have no home, no roof over their heads or a bed
to rest their babies. Think about it, 52 pregnant women or mothers and
their infants on the street.
“The danger is that this could lead to other alternatives such as
returning to abusive relationships, unsafe environments or even worse,
surrender to the pressures to have an abortion.”
Former resident Reina recalls how grateful she was for “the safe
place Casa gave me to live…and the chance that Casa gave my baby
and me for a better life.” Before being referred there by a counselor
at Kaiser Hospital, Reina had been sleeping in her car, afraid to return
to the unsafe environment of her family home.
Amber, a current resident, said that being at Casa has “taught me
to have more patience and tolerance as well as more understanding of both
others and myself.”
Vania reflects how “Miss Jackson used to make me mad, telling me
to fix my hair and tie my shoes, but today I’m thankful because
I have learned to love myself and look like a lady. This program is a
blessing.”
Former residents Pilar and Andrea both said they felt ready to face the
challenges of motherhood after living at Casa. Pilar is enrolled in World
Vision College of Cosmetology and Andrea is now attending Western Career
College.
Jackson is proud of Casa’s record of success. In addition, during
the past three years only one woman has had a second pregnancy.
But sociological statistics are only part of Casa’s story. There
are many tears and smiles within its walls.
In a 1996 Voice story, Barbara Jackson’s predecessor, St. Joseph
Sister Bernardine Dominick told of weeping in the night with a young woman
who had lost her baby daughter to crib death.
The next day, she rejoiced with a former resident who had purchased her
first home. Sister Dominick also on occasion acted as a stand-in mother
at the weddings of young women who had adopted Casa Vincentia as family.
Two fundraising benefits will be held this month to help Casa Vincentia
meets its bills.
Creekside Community Church is sponsoring a High Tea from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
on Sept. 24 at its Community Center, 951 MacArthur Boulevard in San Leandro.
Admission is $25 per person. Cost of the afternoon includes finger sandwiches,
savories and sweets, tea and coffee.
There will also be an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for such
items as a gourmet dinner for four, guitar and singing lessons, jewelry,
luggage and floral arrangements.
For reservations, call (510) 430-0607.
Then on Sept. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., Casa Vincentia will sponsor its 16th
annual Gold Key Open House and raffle drawing at the residence, 3210 62nd
Avenue in Oakland. Tickets are $50 each. Prizes include $1,000, $250,
and a $100 gift certificate from Nordstrom’s. For further information
call (510) 729-0316.
Donations for Casa can be sent to: Casa Vincentia, 3210 62nd Ave., Oakland,
CA 94605.
Reina, a former Casa resident who came to the home after
sleeping in her car, proudly shows off her child. Casa gave them a chance
“for a better life.”
CASA VINCENTIA PHOTO
