Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. - Newsletter, February 2003

A Quarterly Newsletter from Catholic Charities - February 2003

In-Home Assistance Offers Help to Ventura County Seniors

Frank Donovan, left, Regional Coordinator for the OASIS program in Ventura County, visits with a client in his home.

Since 1985, the OASIS (Older Adult Services and Intervention System) program has operated in Catholic Charities’ Ventura Region. The mission of the program is to offer professional case management services to adults, 60 years and older, and volunteer support services that enable older adults to remain independent and avoid unnecessary institutionalization.

Through an Older Americans Act grant administered by the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, the OASIS’ In-Home Assistance and Support Services program provides case managers who visit clients at home and assess their capacity to maintain self-sufficiency. Often, help with chores or minor modifications to the home can mean the difference between staying at home or going to a care facility.

Frank Donovan, Coordinator for OASIS in Ventura County, states that Catholic Charities is the only agency besides the county that provides case management for the elderly. “OASIS is a lifeline which allows the elderly to remain independent. Often, simple services such as: arranging for household chores to be done; providing transportation for medical appointments; or setting up home visits can make a tremendous difference. We recently found a client in Piru who was living in a house without windows or doors. Program funds, specifically ear-marked for minor renovations, paid for installation of doors and windows.”

When Sister Gloria Valdovinos, a bi-lingual OASIS case worker, went to visit “John”, who had suffered a stroke, she found a man without medical insurance in need of a procedure to help him breathe. He also required a wheelchair and a ramp for his mobile home. Sister Gloria, using the resources of the In-Home Assistance and Support Services program, was able to secure medical assistance, purchase a wheelchair and have a ramp installed. Sister calls “John” one of her little miracles. On her initial visit, she found a man depressed by his health problems who wanted to stay in his home, but didn’t know how to get the help he needed. Today he is more hopeful about his situation. Stories like “John’s” are heard everyday from case workers in the OASIS program.

For more information about OASIS in Ventura County, contact Robert Bagdazian, Regional Director, at (805) 643-4784.


	A Message from the Executive Director, Monsignor Gregory A. Cox
	California Governor Gray Davis recently released his proposed budget for fiscal year 2003-2004. The State is currently facing a $34.6 billion shortfall, which is 45% of the General Fund. This will cause a very serious struggle over the future of health and human services in California. In order to address the overwhelming deficit, the Governor is recommending increases in taxes and deep cuts in social services. Proposed decreases include the elimination of programs that have protected many poor from financial disaster, such as: subsidized child care for former welfare recipients; various Department of Aging cuts (Senior Brown Bag Program, Senior Companion Program, and the Foster Grandparent Program); and elimination of naturalization services funding. Social service agencies, like Catholic Charities, will be asked to provide desperately needed services to the thousands of individuals who will be affected negatively from the draconian budget cuts if Davis’ budget is passed by the State legislature. Catholic Charities will be working with other agencies to promote the needs of the underserved in our local communities. We will be collaborating with Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura county government officials in addressing the local concerns with fewer resources. This is a time in which social service agencies, governments, businesses and individuals need to partner together to serve the poor in our state. Please continue to support the work of Catholic Charities so that we can persevere in ministering to those most in need who will suffer most from the budget fallout.

300 children from Catholic Charities’ Community Centers joined Cardinal Mahony at the 54th Annual Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children.

First Annual Wine Tasting Event Planned

Catholic Charities announces plans for a very special fundraising event to be held on June 1, 2003 at Traxx Restaurant in Union Station. Preparations are underway for Catholic Charities’ First Annual Wine Tasting, “A World of Wine.” In addition to wine, there will be hors d’oeurves and a silent auction. With your support, the agency hopes to make this event an anticipated tradition.

Attendance will be limited, so watch for information in the mail.