Later this fall, Catholic Charities will open the new Homeless Day Resource Center in Madison.
We have a lot of plans for the center, but right now I’m asking for your help because we are missing something . . . the center needs a name! I’m asking all of you to help by participating in our naming campaign!
Please give it some real thought. We need a good, strong, meaningful name that will stand the test of time.
Naming of twins
Most people take a long time to think about and then come to a decision on a good name for their son or daughter, business, or even their pet. Most people that is, except for my family.
In 1961, my mother gave birth to me, only to have the doctor say, “Oh, looks like you’re having twins.” Seven minutes later, my twin sister was born.
The very next day, when my mom was holding me and my sister in her arms, friends walked into the room to congratulate my parents. When they asked about our names, my mom replied, “We haven’t named them yet. We didn’t know that we were having twins.”
One of the friends, without any real thought or discussion, proudly announced, “I think you should name them Jack and Jill.”
Yes, that’s correct, we grew up as Jack and Jill. Hence my nickname “Jackson.”
Homeless center needs a name
The Homeless Day Resource Center will soon be a special place of hope, dignity, and possibility for hundreds of area individuals, families, and children in our community.
Please put your creative caps on, give thoughtful consideration and come up with a name for the center which reflects the real help we will offer to real people experiencing homelessness.
I want you to be a part of this amazing community project. You, your company, organization, child’s school, local sports team — anyone can submit an idea for what the center should be called.
Go to namethecenter.org and give us your suggestion by April 7. After the submission period is closed, the public will be able to vote online for the name they like best. The person or group whose name is chosen will be recognized at the center’s grand opening and given a prize!
Center will serve over 100 people a day
We know we are going to serve over 100 people a day — including families. People experiencing homelessness will be able to:
• Take a shower.
• Get their laundry done.
• Pick up their mail.
• Get a snack and a cup of coffee.
• Receive access to vital services like housing, counseling, health care, job searches, and much more.
Our staff, our partners, and dozens of volunteers want to create a welcoming environment that is filled with love, compassion, respect, and dignity.
We want everyone to participate. Just like in a family, when one family member suffers, others step in to help. This is our time to do that. This center will tell a story that as a community of people, we care, and we are all invested in making sure everyone who wants a chance gets one.
Please be a part of this great story and give thoughtful consideration for the name. Contribute. Share. Get your families involved. Give. Change a life. Don’t fall down that hill!
Jackson Fonder is president and CEO of Catholic Charities Madison. Catholic Charities helps nearly 30,000 people in need in the 11 counties of the Diocese of Madison. Visit www.ccmadison.org for more information.