Summer 2024 FOCUS Newsletter
Dear Friends of Epiphany,
As you look through this issue of FOCUS, you will see how blessed we are at Epiphany Center. The pictures and articles highlight the joys and successes we have enjoyed these past six months.
Like all newsletters that you receive from the organizations you support, the pictures can go only so far. They tell you facts, but the emotions and feelings have to be imagined from what you see and hear. When you read Mia’s story of how she went from using marijuana at the age of 8 to her completing Epiphany Center at 30, you are left to imagine the pain and struggles of those years, as well as the sense of joy, relief and gratitude she feels living a sober life in order to be the Mom to her little girl that she didn’t have herself.
On Wednesday evenings, former clients are welcome to come back for supper. I usually eat with our clients on Wednesdays and overheard former clients saying how they feel like they are coming home when they come here. One alumna told me she would go out of her way to drive by because being here had changed her life. I think of the analogy of a life preserver being thrown to a drowning person. We have the life preservers, but each woman has to grab on to it with all her strength and determination. With your help we supply the tools for sobriety, so the women can do the work.
In this issue, you’ll learn about the success of our Benefit Party & Show and Mother’s Day Luncheon, which reflect diligence, hard work, caring and love of our League members and those, like you, who support our events and our ministry for those God sends us.
At the Benefit, we honored Mrs. La Verne Reiterman with the St. Louise Award. Unlike agencies that give annual awards, we save the St. Louise award for an extraordinary individual who has shown exceptional dedication to the Center and our women. La Verne is 98, still drives and attends all of the League meetings, and is always on the committee to plan, pick up and serve the food for special luncheons with our women throughout the year. She lovingly shares her wisdom and encouragement. She exhibits all of the Epiphany Center Vincentian values, especially Respect, Compassion and Advocacy.
I thank God for LaVerne Reiterman and for each of you.
Gratefully,
Sister Betty Marie Dunkel, D.C.
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