A
Note from Our Director
Colleen Knauf
Here we are celebrating our 12th year of
service to legal refugees who arrive in Rochester, NY through the Refugee
and Immigration Department of the Catholic Family Center. Believe me when I
say that I never thought that I would be moving furniture! Saint’s Place has
grown to assist hundreds of new refugees arriving each year in Rochester;
families who are struggling to find a new life outside of their country
because of persecution, war and other inhumanities.
I could not have accomplished any of this alone. Through the combined
efforts
of a small paid staff and a large network of volunteers, Saint’s Place is
able to provide assistance with furnishings for their homes, instruction in
English, and a clothing closet where the families come out to “shop”, at no
cost, for much needed clothing. From the generosity and hard work of our
volunteers who work in our house at 46 South Main Street, Pittsford, to
the drivers and furniture movers, to the tutors who faithfully
show up each week at the Greek Church of the Holy Spirit, St.
Boniface Church, St. John of Rochester Church who hosts our
clothing closet and share storage space, to our Advisory Board
members who support us in our decision making, to the grant writers
and the fundraisers, and to those who donate space, we thank
you! Without our volunteers, we would not be able to serve the 1,000 plus
deserving people that we do each year. We offer quality services and a
caring support system that will empower refugees to become self sufficient,
self reliant and productive members of our society.
Many people support us in numerous ways. Our heartfelt
thanks to the numerous foundations, places of worship, businesses,
organizations, schools, universities, the United Way, and individual donors
who support our mission.
Additionally, we are grateful to those who provide new items at Christmas—
over 1,000 gifts were donated this past December. Our donors are many and
we are overwhelmed and humbled by their support.
In these turbulent times, our need continues to grow while
the resources to
support our work do not keep up with the frenzied pace of newly arrived
refugees. We pledge that we will use your hard earned gifts to help the
vulnerable people we serve every day.
May we remember all those who have been uprooted from their
homes and communities: people who are compelled to flee for their lives, to
leave their land and culture, and live apart from their families. With them,
we mourn their loss of dignity, community, resources and employment, but
celebrate God’s goodness in bringing them to a community committed to
helping them get back on their feet.
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