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Welcoming the stranger, Making a difference

www.lppshelter.org

La Posada Providencia Program Director Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, plays with a young client.

La Posada Providencia is the only shelter of its kind in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. Our shelter was founded with the goal of achieving social justice and effective resettlement for indigent immigrants and asylum seekers.

We provided hospitality to more than 1,000 clients, more than two-thirds of whom were women and children.

Most of La Posada’s clients arrive on our doorsteps destitute and exhausted, following a long and dangerous journey. La Posada provides safety, hope, and a way forward as our clients prepare for their new lives in the U.S.

Our outputs for fiscal year 2013-2014:● 7,279 bed nights● 19,712 meals served● 1,411 people served, including:

- 225 adult men - 555 adult women - 21 women were pregnant - 631 children under the age of 18

● 30,972 miles driven for client appointments

● 9,513 total tutored hours of ESL and life skills

● 7,764.97 total volunteer hours (180 volunteers, including 114 students and 7 interns).

Our outcomes for fiscal year 2013-2014:

● 100% of our clients had their otherwise unobtainable needs for safe shelter and food met.

● 100% of clients demonstrated improvement in English language skills.

● 100% of workforce-ready clients sought and/or gained employment by end of residency.

● 100% of eligible clients received mainstream assistance.

● 85% of clients who achieved asylum or achieved permanent residence cards live independently

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La Posada Client Outputs and Outcomes for 2013-2014////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

La Posada ProvidenciaStatement of Activity and Changes in Net Assets For the year ended June 30, 2014

RevenuesIn Kind $71,206 Grants and Contributions $307,382 Special Events $63,086 Sisters of Divine Providence $295,638 Rent $10,050 Interest $410Total Revenues $747,772

ExpendituresServices to Clients $408,205 Management and Administrative $38,523 Fundraising $39,839Total Expenditures $486,567

Change in Net Assets $261,205 Net Assets, Beginning of Year $131,202Net Assets, End of Year $392,407

Provincial Leadership TeamMary Francis Fletcher, CDPMaria Fest, CDP Donna Marie Gribschaw, CDPAna Lydia Sonera Matos, CDP Mary Traupman, CDP

Serving Board of DirectorsDeborah L. Grayson, Chairperson

Elaine Margaret Adams, Vice-Chairperson

Leticia G. Eads, Secretary

Justin Brandon Rock, MBA Treasurer

Abigail D. Molina

Masa Karim Myers

Paula M. Olivarez

Melissa Saldivar, MASW, LCSW

Sister Ana Lydia Sonera Matos, CDP

StaffSister Zita Telkamp, CDP Program Director

Alma Gonzalez-Rock Development Coordinator

Sister Thérèse Cunningham, SHSp, Client Mentor

Sister Margaret Mertens, CDP Volunteer Coordinator

Michelle Yates Data Entry Specialist

Monica Peña-Rasmussen, Client Coordinator

Joseph Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Programs Coordinator

Frances Gutierrez Food Specialist La Posada Providencia30094 Marydale RoadSan Benito, TX 78586Tel: (956) 399-3826Fax: (956) 399-2898 Email: cdplaposada@lppshelter.org

Clients Statistics by Countries and Continents

La Posada

“The gift we can offer others is so simple a thing as hope.” Daniel Berrigan

Dear Friends,

In this issue of La Posada’s Annual Report, I welcome the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for your generous support. Your gifts have helped us through times of change, challenge and hope at our shelter.

Change, challenge and hope are always in the air at La Posada. Almost daily there is a change in our client roster as individuals arrive at our shelter seeking safety, hospitality and assistance. They depart La Posada in hopes of finding a place to live without fear, a place to be accepted, a place to find a job, and, eventually, a place to be able to say they are United States citizens.

Changes in immigration and detention policies occurring during the 2014 fiscal year changed the demographics of the arriving client population. During this fiscal year, we welcomed 1,411 immigrants and asylees—555 were women and 631 were children. In November 2013, we received our 7,000th client during our 25th year of welcoming and giving hope to the stranger.

Challenges included renovations and improvements in housing and property. All of this made possible thanks to grants and to you, our generous donors, who have given us the “gift of hope:”

-A new septic system for the men’s dorm was installed in March.

-The bathroom in the women’s dorm has been completely renovated from the floor to the ceiling, including all new fixtures—a June project.

Hope was given to us through the many volunteers we welcomed who offered their help and guidance, especially: our year-round volunteers, Mary Ann and Peter Wingert, Mary Gillogly, and Mary Abbott; our visitors from afar: Winter Texans; seminarians Jesse Garza and Rene Gaytan from the Brownsville Diocese; child psychologist Janet Marcus from Chicago; Sisters Loretta Jean Schorr and Theresa Stegman, from Pittsburgh Pa.; high school seniors Carmen McCanna from Winnetka, Il. and Megan Retana from Boston, Ma.; Marlene McClain, an associate of the Sisters of Divine Providence from Pennsylvania who volunteered with us for six months; and the interns who came to us via the intern program at the University of Texas – Pan American School of Social Work. You were all truly a gift of hope. We also held numerous successful fundraisers and made connections with hundreds of new donors who believe in our mission.

Once again, I thank each and every donor for supporting us through these changing, challenging and hopeful times. Thank you for providing food for our table, for keeping our lights on, the water running and our program growing. Thank you for helping us keep hope alive in the hearts of those thousands of individuals who we welcomed as strangers, and left as our sisters and brothers.

In God’s Providence,

Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, Program Director

Countries of Origin in the Fiscal Year: 28

● Africa (127 clients): Congo-3; Eritrea-62; Ethiopia-38; Ivory Coast-1; Nigeria-1; Rwanda-5; Somalia-14; Sudan-3.

● Asia (21 clients): Bangladesh-4; China-3; India-4; Nepal-3; Sri Lanka-7.

● Europe (8 clients): Albania-6; Romania-1; Spain-1.

● South America (11): Brazil-2; Ecuador-7; Peru-2.

● North America (Central America and the Caribbean included) (1,244 clients): Belize-3, Cuba-56, Dominican Republic-1, El Salvador-196, Guatemala-226, Honduras-706, Mexico-37, Nicaragua-6, USA-13.

Thank You to Our Partners

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AAdams Farms - Keith & Elaine AdamsA & M Nursing Services, LLCMary Stowers AbbottMartha AbregoMary AdamsAleido AgadoCelia AlonzoAlpha Delta KappaSister Jane Frances AmbroseAmerican Bar AssociationAndrews FoundationAnonymousCatalina ArenasRolando ArguijoMaria R. ArratiaCynthia ArteagaShirley G. AsmussenDennis Austin

B B & R Asset Management Group LLCJohn BachmannRobert G. BachmannMarie A. BakkeGranville D. BargerMary BarkkariGilberto Y. BarreraMary C. BarrettSusan BarrettDiana BaslerJanice BeamanKarl R. BearMelissa BenavidezGary & Cheryl BleierBless Investments & Properties, LLCBoyd BlihoudeMsgr. Francis X. BloodBluffton UniversityFrank and Linda BolbeckerIrma G. BramlettKathleen W. BrindleyDuane BrownMary A. Bruemmer

CLaura B. CalderoniBeverly A. Camper

Olga F. CantareroNario Rene CantuSimon and Josefina CantuMary C. CariniJavier CarpioRosanna CatanzariteCatholic Daughters of the Americas #2420Catholic Daughters of the Americas #2448Herminia Laurel CavazosOlga A. CañasCDP Associates - PittsburghGisela ChapaChaparral Portable & Modular Buildings, Inc.Amalia CharlesChick-Fil-AChuy’s Custom SportsThe City of God FoundationKaren A. ClarkDaniel G. CoatesCongregation of Divine Providence, Inc.Francis L. ConlinAntionette ConnaughtonBenigna ContrerasSelina ContuCristela CoronaJanie CoronaMaria R. CoronaAdriana CorralTammy Cotton-JenningsToni CraneBarbara CrawfordGilberto Alturo CrequeSister Thérèse Cunningham, SHSpThomas C. Cunningham

DPaul DarrowBeth DavisSerapio de la Rosa Jr. DDSAnna G. De La FuenteGloria G. De LeonChristina M. DeconciniJavier DeleonJulie DelgadilloBoubacar Biro DialloDiocese of BrownsvilleDominican Sisters of Springfield Illinois

Ellen DouglasEverett J. DriskillClare E. DuffyDurable Medical EquipmentKimberly Duvall

ECarl and Leticia EadsTed EilermanEmergency Food and Shelter ProgramElizabeth EnglandAudrey EngleJudy EngleOliver A. EschbachEvangelical Lutheran Church in America

FCharlene FiggeF. Nuala FilbergRodney FinkNivia Nieves FischSister Mary Francis Fletcher, CDPJaime FloresKatrina Kleinwachter FortneyKaren FossomFoundation for the CarolinasHenry Franco-SalinasSister Mary Gabriel Friedel, CDPRev J. FriedelFry’s Prescription Pharmacy

GFelisa GainesCarol GalbanNicole M. GambleAnna GarciaCristela GarciaMaryann D. GarridoCecilia Garza-GarciaSylvia Garza-PerezSarah GaviganEdward V. GeorgeKatherine GerlichHoward GilloglyChristina Z. M. GoldenGomez, Fragoso & Associates, LLCElsie GomezCynthia Gonzalez

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The Sisters of Divine Providence are blessed to share our ministry with many others who care about our brothers and sisters seeking a new home in our beloved country. In particular, we thank the following who have shared so generously with us during the past fiscal year:

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Esperanza GonzalezDeacon JG GonzalezMarisela GonzalezMary F. GonzalezJodilyn M. GoodwinMatthew GorgesMaria Del Carmen GranaCarol GrannonCarol GrannumBobby J GrantlandMary Ellen GrayDebbie GraysonRoy GreenFlavia GronskiPerla GuerreroGulf Transport & StorageMary M. Gunning

HH.E.B.Ann E. HallLaura HamreJennifer HarburySheryl HarrisHarry S. & Isabel C Cameron FoundationBrad G HartHealth SpringsCarla F Cambiasso HelferDolores HernandezJames R. HessGlenn HillJuan Chuy HinojosaLinda L. HoefflinMary Ann HoelscherSister Hilary Hooks, CDPScott HorneySharon F. Huck

IAnne IkponmwonbaLarry and Angie Imming

JKimi JacksonDonna K JacobsenYoun JangMargarita JaramilloKrista L. Sanda JohnsonRuth JohnsonGloria M. JonesLauren JoynerJohn M. Jurica

KJulia A. Kellman and Phil MillerJohn G & Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial FoundationSister Moira Kenny RSMKum KimDianne KlimoJeanne KohserVirginia L KorakJoseph J KraemerPaul Kralik

LTeri A LaBuwiCatherine M. LaClairBarbara A. LamberthLaw Firm of Cathy J. Potter, PLLCLaw Office of Dolores G. ZarateLaw Office of Gilberto HinojosaLaw Office of Kyle D. BrownLaw Office of Mohammed OmerLCWR Region 12 Border Project FundFrances LealMary Elizabeth LearyKathleen M. LeeMartha LewisLiberty Income TaxGary LindsayMeredith LinskySteven M. LinskyLoaves & FishesBonnie LongElia Cornejo LopezJohn G. Lopez, Jr.Migdalia LopezJames R. and Annette M. LovelaceMary R. LucasEddie Lucio IIIEddie Lucio Jr.Sister Maura Luffy, CDPJulia E. Lynn

MMagic Valley Riders Motorcycle Club, Inc.Juan A. Maldonado, MDJanet MarcusDr. & Mrs. Vince MarinoCarol Ann MarshallMarco Ivan MartellMary S. MartinezSam MartinezSylvia S. Martinez

Mary Mother of the ChurchJohn R MatolMarlene McClainMary Lou McClanahanJudge Arturo McDonaldSandra McDonaldRev. Terence P. McGrathBen McKibbensEileen McMonigalRaymond J. MenkeSandy MercadoSister Margaret Mertens, CDPMissionary Oblates of Mary ImmaculateMolina Law GroupMark and Abigail MolinaGloria Elizabeth MoncivaisBlanca MontemayorPat MontgomeryBernadine W. MonyakMorado’s Pest ControlBertha MoradoDavid Moyer-DienerRaymond F. MurguiaMichael and Margie Myers

NSister Margit Nagy CDPNithya NathanNational Guard Mike and Cathy NielsonAlma Lee Northcross

OPatricia A. O’HaraDorothy T. Odelehr

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La Posada 2013-2014 By the Numbers

● 110 clients received political asylum

● 16 clients received a juvenile visa

● 8 clients received permanent residency cards

● 103 clients received employment permits

● 35 clients received Social Security cards

● 2 clients received ID cards

Diana OlivarezPaula M. OlivarezMarian OliverMary Ann OlsonMarcus Obaseki OluwaseunVictor L. OttenlipsOur Lady of Fatima Catholic ParishOur Lady, Star of the Sea Catholic Church

PRosalinda PadronSister Lisa Paffrath, CDPPalenque McAllen Management, Inc.Toni PalterRoger Lee PaulusRev. and Mrs. Ryan PedersonJoleen D. PeltierElva PenaOfelia R. PenaHerminia H. PerezMary PezeshkiMelissa PeñaMyra PeñaMost Rev. Raymundo PeñaJoann F. PiselPlaza de Oro / SKC Enterprises, Inc.Debra PoeJoan M. PostCathy J. PotterVicki M PriceLynn P. PrietoProBar

QMichelle Quiniero

RRachael and Ben Vaughan FoundationMonica RasmussenBill ReaganCheryl M. ReedLaurie ReichCarlos A. RestrepoLev & Linda ReynoldsLucy Reza-MoralesElizabeth Rieser-MurphyRio Grande Valley Area Combined Federal CampaignErv & Joyce RistauFriends of Joe G. RiveraSister Mary Jerome Roberts, CDPDr. RobinsonEmma S. Rocco

Alma & Justin RockJose E. Rodriguez GonzalezOren RootNaomi RosboroughMary & Michael RoseMary RowehlRuiz Law Center, PLLCCarolina RuizCorina RuizFernando RussekJacqueline L. Ryan

SSacred Heart Catholic ChurchIrene SalazarMelissa SaldivarSusana SaldivarJesse SalinasCeleste SanchezElvia C. SanchezLouie M. SanchezMarco SanchezSylvia L. SanchezThelma SanchezScanlan FoundationFr. Henry C. SchmidtSister M. Agnes Schmidt, CDPMary Magdalen SchmidtRoland J. SchoenhoffSister Loretta Jean Schorr, CDPTricia S. ScrivnerSelina D. Salinas Investments, Inc.Selma Ann ShamallaJudy ShepherdSisters of Divine ProvidenceSisters of Divine Providence GeneralateSisters of ProvidenceSisters of Providence, St. Mary of the WoodsSisters of the Holy Spirit & Mary ImmaculateFrank SmudaTencha H. SoriaVictor SpauldingSt. Alban’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Anne, Mother of Mary ChurchSt. Anthony ClinicSt. Francis Xavier-Holy Ghost SchoolSt. Joseph ChurchSt. Pius X ParishSt. Vincent De Paul SocietySister Theresa Stegman, CDPBecky StirzakerLester Stock

Sunburst Rotary Club of HarlingenSharon Swanson

TSister Zita Telkamp, CDPJoanne R. TelkampKathleen TelkampTexas Emergency Solutions GrantTexas InvestmentsTexas Regional BankBonita TeymouriThe Medicine ShoppeThe Robles Law Firm, LLCThrivent Financial for Lutherans RGV ChapterRenee ToftDominga TorresElma TorresmuttRochelle TriggJustin Tulius

UUniversity of the Incarnate Word

VValley Baptist Health SystemValley Transit CompanyCarrie C. Vander HoekShirley VegaRose Mary VierdagLuis Villarreal, JrMary VogelerGary P. Vogt

WAshley Elizabeth WalkerAbby L. WarshowskySara E. WeeksMary Frances and James WeirJames R. WeissGil & Teresa WeyhauptTraci WickettJack L. WilbornJim WilsonRobin Wilson-ClipsonMaryann WingertKathleen WinterAnita M. WintersWilliam E. WiseSister Joan Wolf, CDP

XXavier’s Steak House

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YMatilda Ybarra

Olivia C. Yepez

In HonorariumThe following is a list of the people in whose name we recieved a gift, with the donor’s name listed below.

Grandparents Gilberto Alturo CrequeSister Hilary Hooks CDP Kathleen W. BrindleySister Margaret Mertens, CDP Sister Mary Jerome Roberts, CDPRosa Gomez Valenzuela, 90th Birthday Naomi RosboroughSister Lucy Schmidt, CDP Karen A. ClarkSister Janet Schaffran - Golden Jubilee Laurie ReichSister Zita Telkamp, CDP Joanne R. TelkampSister Joan Wolf, CDP Victor L. Ottenlips

In Memorium Brian Granville D. BargerCharles A. Friedel Mary Gabriel Friedel, CDP Marie and Ray Huff Anita M. WintersIn Memory of Paul R. George Edward V. GeorgeSister Mary Thomas Jirauch, CDP Ted EilermanSister Agnes Schmidt, CDP Mary Magdalen SchmidtSister Elizabeth Menke, CDP Raymond J. MenkeRonald S. Miller Karl R. BearFiliberto Murguia Raymond F. MurguiaJohn A. Odelehr Dorothy T. OdelehrMy Parents Most Rev. Raymundo PeñaRolando Rodriguez Dominga TorresAmparo Salinas Jesse SalinasArthur P. Schmidt Mary Magdalen SchmidtMarcella (Marcy) Siemer Karen A. ClarkTheresa Vogt Gary P. VogtSister Mary Bernarde Winkelmann, CDP Mary Ann HoelscherSister Simone Wolf Joan Wolf, CDPLiz Yannakakis Joan M. Post

Grants AwardedThe Sisters of Divine Providence and the staff at La Posada Providencia thank the following funders who partner with us to “welcome the stranger.”

The City of God Foundation $5,000Porticus North America Foundation $38,379Emergency Solutions Grant $148,706Catholic Extension’s Lumen Christi Award $10,000Rachael & Ben Vaughan Foundation $3,500Andrews Foundation $1,500Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods $ 1,0002013 Rio Grande Valley Area Combined Federal Campaign $37Holy Spirit Ministry Support Fund $5,000Scanlan Foundation $9,000Harry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation $7,000LCWR Region XII Border Fund $ 2,500Domestic Hunger Grants, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America $1,500 The John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation $25,000Poverty, Justice and Peace Fund - Dominican Sisters of Springfield, IL $5,000EFSP $ 2,497EFSP State Set-Aisde $2,640

La Posada staff and clients gather to celebrate Earth Day.

Did we miss you? It is important to us that all our generous partners in mission be recognized. If your name has been left off this list, we apologize. Please let us know by contacting Colleen Price at 314-209-9181 or cprice@lpp-room.org.

Thank you to our generous friends who have chosen to remain anonymous. While your name does not appear on these pages, it is recorded in our hearts and spoken in our prayers.

TOTAL: $ 268,259

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www.lppshelter.org

La Posada ProvidenciaA Sponsored Ministry ofThe Sisters of Divine Providence30094 Marydale RoadSan Benito, TX 78586

Mission StatementLa Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home; mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration; and imparts values which witness God’s Providence in our world.

We are constantly updating our website! Connect with us online at www.lppshelter.org.

(San Benito, Texas) Less than a year after La Posada Providencia announced its milestone of reaching 7,000 clients, the shelter welcomed its 8,000th client amidst an unprecedented influx of immigrants arriving in the lower Rio Grande Valley. This surge more than quadrupled the shelter’s annual client intake.

“What a privilege it has been for the Sisters of Divine Providence, the Board, staff, volunteers and donors to have touched so many lives making God’s Providence more visible in the world and giving hope to 8,000 people,” said Program Director Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP. “May God be praised as we continue onward.”

La Posada reached its 7,000th client in November 2013. On June 30, La Posada closed the 2014 fiscal year with a record-breaking number of clients served. In total, La Posada provided assistance to 1,411 clients from 28 different countries, including 555 adult women and 631 children under the age of 18. In years past, the average annual number of clients served totaled 250.

Client No. 8,000Our 8,000th client is a gentleman from a

country in East Africa, whose identity and

country of origin can’t be shared with the public in order to protect the family he left behind. He has been granted political asylum status in the United States. He arrived at La Posada on July 20th.

La Posada’s Client Coordinator, MonicaPeña-Rasmussen, spoke about his case.

“It was a matter of life and death,” Peña-Rasmussen said. “If he didn’t leave, the rebels were going to kill him. The country he was living in is lawless and in chaos. He was assisting the government in restoring order and, because of that, he was in danger.”

Peña-Rasmussen said the client was assaulted and threatened by terrorist groups. He endured a long and dangerous journey

through Africa, South America and Central America before arriving on U.S. soil.

“When I told him he was La Posada’s 8,000th client, he said he was very grateful for centers like La Posada that help people in his situation,” Peña-Rasmussen explained. “He was getting misty-eyed because he said this is his second chance at a life. He couldn’t express with words his thankfulness to land in a place like La Posada that understands and can help him with his situation.”

Not just another numberPeña-Rasmussen said regardless of the

number of clients La Posada receives, each one is treated with the same respect, compassion and dedication.

“For each arriving client, it’s their first experience with us, so we treat them like our first client,” she said. “We always try to put ourselves in their shoes. How would we want to be treated if we were enduring their experience? We all deserve the same dignity.”

La Posada Providencia is all about helping a vulnerable group of individuals with the strength and resources to move forward.

You can learn how you, too, can support this mission by visiting our Ways to Give page at www.lppshelter.org/waystogive.

La Posada Welcomes 8,000th Client

The 8,000th client of La Posada, whose identity can’t be revealed, fled political persecution in his home country in East Africa.