The Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison recognized 15 volunteers for their years of dedicated service to neighbors in need, on the evening of November 14 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Tag: volunteers
Respite Care Team ministers meet in Madison
For a special group of people that have hearts for caring, and share those hearts with others, October 7 was a day to come together, communicate, celebrate, and appreciate.
The annual Respite Care Team Ministry Team Leader Luncheon was held at Holy Name Heights in Madison.
Renovated sanctuary at St. Michael Church in Dane
Msgr. James Bartylla, diocesan administrator, celebrated a Dedication Mass for Blessed Trinity Catholic Parish at St. Michael Church in Dane on March 17.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul honors volunteers
Recently, nearly 400 people gathered at the Alliant Energy Center to celebrate and honor the service of the District Council of Madison, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul volunteers who improve life for neighbors in need in Dane County.
Expressing appreciation for All Saints Neighborhood dedicated staff, volunteers
To the editor:
September 9 to 15 is National Assisted Living Week. This annual observance was established by The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) as a way to celebrate those who choose this type of living option and the caring, dedicated staff members who serve them; and to educate the general public about the importance and benefits of this type of long term care. This year’s theme is “Capture the Moment.”
Volunteers shine bright at The Beacon
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| Volunteers Darrell and Janie help out in the kitchen at The Beacon in Madison. (Contributed photo) | ||
MADISON — “There’s nothing better you can do with your time than to help people who are suffering, have a decent life, [and be] able to lead the life they want,” said volunteer coordinator Tami Fleming from The Beacon.
The Beacon is a comprehensive day resource center for people who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County.
It is a joint venture among Catholic Charities Madison, Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.
In addition to its staff, The Beacon needs about 20 volunteers per day — half in a morning shift and half in an afternoon shift — to run the normal day-to-day operations. Shifts are about four hours long.
The Beacon is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has volunteer opportunities as a front desk greeter, laundry and shower manager, computer lab assistant, guest and child and family advocate, among many others.
Becoming a volunteer
“We need volunteers every day,” said Fleming.
The first step in becoming a volunteer at The Beacon is attending an orientation session. They are held at The Beacon (615 E. Washington Ave., Madison) Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 9 a.m.
Fleming said these two-hour sessions give prospective volunteers a chance to “get a real feel for it” and “hear what it’s about [and] see the place.”
She admitted she is “real frank with people” about the challenges they may face working with homeless people who need help.
The Beacon presents community update
MADISON — On April 4, staff members of The Beacon, along with members of the Madison Police Department, presented stories of successes and challenges from its first few months of operation.
A comprehensive day resource center for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, The Beacon opened in October of 2017. It is a joint venture among Catholic Charities Madison, Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.
Here’s a way to help the homeless
The National Alliance to End Homelessness states that there are 564,708 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the U.S.: 36,907 (6.38 percent) are children, 47,725 (8.33 percent) are veterans, and 269,991 (47.6 percent) are disabled and unable to work.
Many factors can contribute to a person becoming homeless. These factors include (but are not limited to):
• Poverty
• Lack of affordable housing
• Job loss
• Lack of health care
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse
• Domestic violence
Coach Gard: Step up to help those in need
MADISON — Using a baseball analogy, University of Wisconsin Head Basketball Coach Greg Gard said, “We need to step up to the plate and help those around us.”
He gave this advice during a talk at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Care Café, a community fundraising breakfast held May 5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Warming Center for Homeless seeks volunteers
MADISON — Catholic Charities Madison is partnering with Bethel Lutheran Church to operate the Warming Center for the Homeless in downtown Madison this winter.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Catholic Charities has committed to working at the center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, said Derrick L. Smith, director of strategic planning and special projects for Catholic Charities. Bethel Lutheran is covering Tuesdays and Thursdays.