Newsletter

Spring Greetings...from our house to yours! - March 2010

A Message from Maureen

Earth celebrated the Spring Equinox on March 20, 2010. Since the Winter Solstice in December, we have been moving toward the light. At Equinox, day and night are equal in length. The days continue to lengthen and with the longer light comes growth. Here at Angela House, we like to believe that everyday is the beginning of Spring and that each of us will experience the growth that comes with light and nourishment. We value the love and care we so regularly experience from you, our faithful supporters, as a source of the light and nutrition that encourages growth and change.

If you are wondering about our new look, there are several factors to consider. As we endeavor to live more lightly on Earth, we welcome any who would prefer to receive an e-mail newsletter in place of our regular paper copy. We are hoping that the new format, with more input from residents, graduates, and volunteers will give you a better sense of our work. Finally, we thought that green paper would grab your attention and introduce our effort to conserve Earth's resources.

As always, you remain in our thoughts and prayers for your willingness to engage with us in this work. May this season of new life be filled with newness for all.

Maureen O'Connell, OP
Executive Director

The mission of Angela House is "To provide, with sensitivity to the unique needs of women after incarceration, a safe place where they can live, grow and become the kind of person they want to be."

Congratulations

Since our last newsletter, three women graduated from the program. Two of our residents returned to their families, and one is living independently. Our prayers go with them as they take this next step toward a new life.

Update

Currently, 12 women reside at Angela House and are at varying stages of the program. Seven residents have completed their sixty-day orientation. Three are approaching graduation and actively seeking an apartment to live on their own. Two of our near graduates are employed, and one of our current residents was just accepted into Vocational Training at The WorkFaith Connection. Our five newest residents are working hard, completing all of the paper and legwork required for the myriad of medical, dental, and mental health services they must access as they return to the community.

Dawn's Spring Corner

In January, ten St. Pius High School students and a faculty member participated in a day of service at Angela House. They organized our clothing closet, and helped our resident horticulture expert, Dawn, with gardening and organizing our shed. Of the experience, she wrote:

Through the Drizzle
Oh, the wonderful sight of young men to help me do the landscaping that was much needed at Angela House. They cut and dug out weeds, pulled and trimmed trees and helped me cut the dead stuff the cold snow left on our poor plants that died. Not to mention the tools they cleaned and sharpened for our new spring sesason that is about to begin. They drug ladders, bags of weeds and all through the drizzle of a rain that kept us moving and awake. Thank you, you made my day. -Dawn

A Special Thank You

The holiday months brought an impressive assortment of generous donations from our devoted supporters. Because of you, we were able to provide our women with a holiday many have never had an opportunity to experience. They indulged in lavish feasts with all of the typical holiday fixings and opened so many thoughtful presents on Christmas morning. In addition to many generous individuals, several groups helped to make the holiday bright. Church of Christ brought gifts and their Christmas carolers sang to our residents, New World Church also brought gifts to residents, and four families from St. Cecilia Catholic Church provided a holiday dinner. Our therapist, Teresa Doyle, continued her tradition of cooking a special holiday breakfast with the women...a community celebration of gratitude.

Our residents also delighted in the holiday spirit as audience members of many community arts events. Our friends at AD Players and Ensemble Theater provided us with free tickets, or deeply discounted tickets, to very enjoyable holiday plays. It just so happened that two of our residents' arrival dates coincided with these scheduled plays. They write about the experience below:

"On December 5, 2009, I had received some very good news. I was being released from TDC that following week. Wow! Great news, right? Well at the same time, I was terrified. I've never lived in Houston let alone find my way around the bus station. I was so scared. Not having any clothes but the clothes I had on the day I would be released. The very minute I had got to the bus station I called Angela House. Alycia answered the phone. She was calm and friendly sounding, which made me feel a little more at ease. She told me to give her my pants and shirt size because I would be going to a play once I was released. OMG! A play. I had never been to one in my life. Well, as I walked through the bus station a woman approached me by the name of Becky with two gift bags full of clothes and perfumes. I was all set. My night at the play was wonderful. I felt at home with the other ladies that same night. God has truly blessed me with the Angela House, Sister, Tammie Brown, Alycia, and the rest of the beautiful, caring, loving women that live and work here. Thank you, God!"
-Vanessa

"The first day I got out of jail I went to a play called 'American Menu' at the Ensemble Theater. I was very excited because I have never been to a play before. It was a very nice event. Being clean and sober, it was a new experience."
-Erica

Angela House Activities

Alley Theater
We also received a gracious donation of tickets to the Alley Theater to see their holiday production of "A Christmas Carol." Our residents loved the imagination of the play and the beautiful costumes. After the show, they were filled with the holiday spirit!

Houston Symphony
On March 11, 2010, Angela House took us to hear the Houston Symphony at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. That was an experience for me. I felt blessed and privileged to be invited. I really enjoyed myself. It gave me a sense of pride. The church was beautiful, the instruments made me very relaxed, it soothed my spirit, and I want to thank Angela House for letting me be a part of it.
-Charlene

Giving Back

Food Bank at Assumption Catholic Church
Every Thursday a few of us set time aside in order to volunteer and assist the wonderful people at the Assumption Catholic Church. Food boxes are filled and distributed to the needy families in the area. I believe I speak for my peers as well as myself when I say there is a great feeling of satisfaction in this, and we feel blessed in giving our time.
-Wanda

Re-entry Ministry
The day I learned about "The Path of Freedom" Prison Ministry at St. John's Downtown United Methodist Church allowed me to connect with someone who would let me have the opportunity to reach out to her. It is now a proposed project for me. I'm part of a team who writes inspirational letters to individuals who are incarcerated. I'm happy to have the chance growing spiritually to help them through their time. Angela House and St. John's have impacted me and I am doing my part!
-Beatrice

Prison Ministry
Four of our former residents are participating in prison ministries in the Houston area. LaTonja Renee J., Lisa T., Kerry G., and Karen A. have achieved much success and are now finding ways to give back to their community. We are so proud of all of their accomplishments.

Students in Action

St. Mary Catholic School
We were among the proud recipients of St. Mary's celebration of The 100th Day of School. The students collected 100 13-gallon garbage bags, 100 kitchen towels, 100 paper towels, and 100 bath towels for our residents. An article about the students appeared in the February 9 edition of the Orange Leader, and we hope to have it posted on our website in the coming months. Thank you to Sr. Sharon and all of St. Mary's hard working students!

More Students in Action

Duchesne Connection
Our monthly dinners with the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart students resumed in January. The women always love the time they get to spend with the students at Duchesne. Thank you!

Eagle Scouts
Michael Tauber, whose project provided a deck for our residents, celebrated his "Eagle Court of Honor" on February 24. We are grateful for his contribution at Angela House, and we are so proud of him! We welcome any scouts who are looking for Eagle projects. Please give us a call.

Our Volunteers

In January, St. Michael's Women's Club brought dinner to our residents and spent time visiting and sharing with us. We are grateful for their continued support and generous offerings.

Also in January, members of St. Cecilia Catholic Community's RCIA painted the exterior of our property and the interior in our resident's bedrooms. They battled the elements in the cold, rainy weather, and our houses are now sparkling with a fresh coat of paint.

On a dreary Saturday in January, our residents went to the movie theater with gift certificates donated by Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and saw "Eli." Afterwards, they ate dinner at Chili's, thanks to the generosity of St. Cecilia's RCIA. The women raved about the movie and the food - it was the perfect combination.

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA, Inc.) began a series of classes at Angela House in January that take place on the 1st and 3rd of every month. Topics cover substance abuse and HIV prevention and life management skills. We are grateful for our friends at AAMA, Inc. who also visit with potential residents while incarcerated and provide transportation to Angela House upon their release.

Our dinner and movie nights continue with Sister Deenan, CCVI. She is always so willing to spoil us with her good food, companionship, and conversation!

Since our last newsletter, two new volunteers started with us. Matt Guilfoyle and Jeanette Bradley provide weekly service, answering telephones, filing, and other administrative tasks. They are always willing to lend a hand in support of our many projects, and we are very grateful to them both for their dedication!

Going Green!

We are diligently working on an E-newsletter for those of you who frequent your email accounts. We will still be mailing our paper version to those of you who are not interested in receiving the E version. The E-newsletter will be sent quarterly over a secured server, so you will not receive a flood of emails from us. If you are interested in helping us save paper, please email our Administrative Coordinator at alyciawelch@angelahouse.org or call us at 281-445-9696 with this information. We hope to send our first E-newsletter in the coming months!

Wish List

Household Items

• Gift cards (groceries, gas, all-purpose, etc.)
• 13-gallon trash bags
• Paper towel

Office Items

• Postage Stamps: $0.44
• Black ink pens

Miscellaneous

• Metro Q cards
• Address Books
• Umbrellas
• Sanitary Napkins and Tampons
• Curlers and Blow Dryers
• Long distance calling cards
• Daily planners

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Last modified: 04/09/2010