A large crowd gathers at the Catholic Charities celebration.
Sentinel photo by Gerry Lewin
More than 900 guests gathered at the Oregon Convention Center Saturday night to support the Catholic Church’s outreach to tens of thousands of disadvantaged people.
For 11 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Portland has held an annual celebration to back its work.
The people served by Catholic Charities include homeless women; at-risk infants and children; pregnant teens; low-income people in need of affordable housing, healthcare, counseling; victims of domestic violence, and low-income immigrants and refugees.
Don and Mary Clark Frisbee, honorary chairpersons, and Bill and Beverly Ashenden, chairpersons, greeted guests at what has become one of Oregon’s largest annual gatherings of the Catholic community.
The celebration marked the 75th anniversary of Catholic Charities in Portland.
It began when Father Lucien Lauerman evaluated the Catholic social welfare work that was going on in the archdiocese and presented his report to a group that was assembled by Archbishop Edward Howard in September 1933.
“From that day forward the scope of the mission of Catholic Charities has grown stronger, wider and more effective with each passing year,” Archbishop John Vlazny told the crowd.
The ballroom-full of people watched a video about Catholic Charities Housing Transitions Program for homeless women. In the video, a woman named Linda sought the help of Catholic Charities after being homeless for seven months, barely surviving on the modest pension of her deceased husband. Catholic Charities provided Linda with permanent supportive housing which has stabilized her life and given her hope for a future filled with hope and opportunity.
“Catholic Charities has consistently dedicated itself to helping people recognize their own God-given dignity and capabilities,” said Dennis Keenan, Catholic Charities executive director for the past 19 years. “We are convinced that people can best claim their dignity, when they are able to realize their potential and achieve independence.”
Catholic Charities announced its capital campaign to raise $12 million for a new service center to be located at the Catholic Charities campus at SE 28th and Powell Boulevard in Portland.
Mark Ganz, president and CEO of The Regence Group, is capital campaign chair for what will be called The Clark Family Center.
“This facility will consolidate seven service programs and administrative offices from five sites into one,” Ganz says of the project. “It will significantly enhance services to clients and save more than $150,000 in annual lease costs.”
The campaign has already raised almost $6 million, half of the required total. Leadership gifts have come from Don and Mark Clark Frisbee-Clark Family Foundation, the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Mike and Tracey Clark.
The evening’s entertainment began with the singing of the De La Salle North Catholic High School Gospel Choir, followed by a solo performance by Sarah Hunt of La Salle Catholic College Preparatory. After dinner, guests danced to the music of the La Salle Catholic College Preparatory Jazz Combo.
The event raised more than $500,000 in operating funds for the programs and services of Catholic Charities.
Major sponsors included Don and Mary Clark Frisbee-Clark Family Foundation, B.P., Lester and Regina John Foundation, and Providence Health and Services.
