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September 10, 2020During the past century, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has served as a “safe place” for many Oklahomans during difficult and challenging times.
CCAOKC has served the community through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, World Wars I and II, the Oklahoma City bombing and numerous natural disasters. Clients at CCAOKC are not merely numbers, and the generous gifts received by our supporters are not merely numbers either. They all are part of the fabric that weaves hope and purpose into the lives of the community.
“Communion connects us. We are one in Christ.”
“I’m kind of a numbers guy. I like to tell the client statistics produced by each of our programs. So, it is really good for me to have this quote from Saint Teresa right outside my office,” said Patrick Raglow, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. “And to share with you these powerful stories of Emmanuel and Staffan for this year’s appeal because each of our big-number statistics refers to an even bigger story: individual success. Thank you for partnering with Catholic Charities and our clients, witnessing miracles in the making.”
Many Oklahomans find themselves facing situations that seem hopeless or beyond their control. Without a way to understand and face these situations, they can adversely affect lives. Catholic Charities offers a wide range of counseling services to help people dealing with such issues to provide ways to cope with problems and overcome them.
Emmanuel Vargas
Emmanuel Vargas was an elementary school student when he came to CCAOKC for counseling services. He had survived the 2013 Moore tornado and was experiencing trauma.
“He lost faith and confidence in his world,” said Monica Palmer, LPC, senior director, Clinical and Legal Services. Emmanuel received counseling for seven years and cites Catholic Charities as the reason he is a thriving college student today.
“I had no idea PTSD was a thing until Monica started talking me through ‘what is trauma and how does it affect us?’ We can’t cure trauma, but rather, we manage trauma,” he said.
Had Emmanuel not come to Catholic Charities for counseling, his future was uncertain.
“I believe I would be a tombstone and my death date would be Nov. 14, 2016. I trust Catholic Charities with my life,” he said.
During the past 108 years, the values of Catholic Charities have held steadfast in times of great social and economic changes. In each generation, children have been nurtured and protected, families have received support and guidance, refugees and immigrants have been welcomed, victims of disaster have been comforted and the frail and elderly have been respected and uplifted in their final days; this will continue to be the work of Catholic Charities. The hopes and plans of CCAOKC continue to depend on building bridges with the community in central and western Oklahoma.
Staffan Davis
Sanctuary Women’s Development Center supports basic human rights by offering homeless and low-income women and children resources, providing support and advocacy to alleviate the effects of poverty within the community and providing tools to overcome homelessness.
Staffan Davis entered Sanctuary in 2018 after being homeless for one year and 10 months. She had been living in her car in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
“I felt hopeless, despair, sometimes I didn’t feel at all; Sanctuary gave me hope,” she said.
Staffan entered day classes at Sanctuary to establish goals and get her life back on track.
“I met women from all walks of life and it gave me strength,” she said.
She is now living on her own and has been able to find employment and housing.
“Staffan is a beautiful individual,” said Jessica Nuno, director of Sanctuary Women’s Development Center. “We are so blessed to have her as part of our Sanctuary family.”
“Catholic Charities serves anyone in need regardless of their faith, political party or cultural background,” Archbishop Coakley said. “It is our time, as Catholics, to come together and show one another mercy and compassion. Let us remind them what connects us by remembering we are all one in Christ.”
In May, Catholic Charities will celebrate five years of serving in the new building at 1232 N. Classen Blvd. in Oklahoma City and begin the next 100 years of impacting lives.
Watch Emmanuel’s and Staffan’s stories at ccaokc.org.
Photos: (top) In a video for Catholic Charities, Emmanuel Vargas shared how he was helped after a tornado by going to St. Joseph’s Counseling Center. Photo Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.
Staffan Davis shared her story in a Catholic Charities video about how the Sanctuary Women’s Development Center helped her. Photo Avery Holt/ Sooner Catholic.
