THE
OMAHA
CATHOLIC
WORKER
COMMUNITY
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Dear
Friends of the Omaha Catholic Worker: June 2008 Update: Greetings to you, our beloved friends and benefactors. So far this summer, we have seen an overgrowth in our garden. If you have need for some lettuce, please come by and cut some. We have had a little turn around with our beloved guests as well. Rick . . . . . . . has moved on to an apartment owned by his employer, and is doing well with his full time job with HVAC work. We have seen him a few times over for dinner. Mark . . . . . . our longest and most loved guest is working well with the team at Community Alliance and his doctor. He has applied for a group home with Community Alliance and is quite excited about moving into his own room, as soon as there is an opening. We certainly will have a grand party for him when this comes around. We are glad to see him a little more independent and doing well, and yet still cared for with his needs. Joe . . . . . came to us while just starting a job, while living in an abandoned house. We was with us for 2 weeks, and then was M.I.A ( missing in action) for 5 days. We got a call from him from Creighton Medical Center, and found out that he was robbed and almost beaten to death with head and facial injuries and his mouth broken and wired shut. I picked him up at the Hospital and brought him home. Now he is slowly recovering and drinking all of his food through a blender and a straw for several weeks. We have been taking him to doctor's appointments as needed. Upon Joe leaving the hospital we had to pay for some medication prescriptions totalling $75. Joe does not have insurance, a job or any income at this point. Brian . . . . . . has moved back to New Orleans to be with his brother who had a heart attack. We are presently talking with Tim, a new potential guest that was living behind a dumpster and is now in the hospital getting some needed medical care. He was referred to us from Community Alliance. We will likely be providing him some hospitality upon his discharge from the hospital and needed recovery. Bob . . . . . . came to us from living with a friend, and with unemployment benefits no longer available. He used to work with the Carpenter's Union. He is looking for work in other fields other than construction. He is 55 years old. We are indeed very thankful for the many gifts that you , our friends have bestowed upon us. God is a gracious provider through your many gifts. Our needs and bills have been paid for the month of June. Our coffers are pretty low looking ahead for the month of July with about only $700 left in the bank account. We appeal to your generosity each month. We pray daily for our "daily bread". We ask that you might consider a donation at this time. We realize that summer is a tough time financially for all of you. We live simply, and practice good stewardship of our resources. We have decided to try and live this summer without Air Conditioning to try and cut down costs. So we have many fans. We are very thankful for the donation of Repair work of a waterpump on our van from friends of the CMA the Christian Motorcycle Association House Needs Can goods of any kind, Pasta, rice, toilet paper, detergent, coffee, sugar, Kool Aid Cash Gifts to pay our rent $650, utilities $400 approximately, Van costs, gas and tires. Volunteers for our Evening Volunteer Program where volunteers come over with prepared dinner for our guests, on a given nite at 6 pm, and stay around for socializing till 9 pm with our guests. Please call us for further information and available dates. MASS AND POTLUCK GATHERINGS: We invite all of you to our house for Prayer, Mass and potluck dinners on : Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm June 19, July 3rd , July 17, and July 31st. We are indeed grateful to you and God, to be able to do the Works of Mercy in a cooperate partnership with you. We do appreciate all that you share with us. Together with God's grace, -Jerry Ebner and Kay Forsling Omaha Catholic Worker |