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In the News

Oct. 13, 2009	NBC Los Angeles - Channel 4 “OC Bargain-Hunters Score Thrifty Deals” By Vikki Vargas ORANGE - Everything old is new again. They stop by in between classes, fondling the denim and silk, looking for a bargain. Students at Chapman University are shopping at a second-hand store that comes to them twice a week. The tented store sells jeans for $6 and sweaters for $4, all in the name of charity. It's run by Casa Teresa, a shelter for pregnant homeless women. All the clothing is donated by other resale stores. And it's not just Casa Teresa, which clears about $4,000 a month at the kiosk. Goodwill has seen its annual sales grow to $32 million in Orange County. For deal hunters who can't make it into a brick-and-mortar location, shopgoodwill.com has more than 10,000 listings. Plus, armed with some thrifty pointers, Goodwill shoppers can scoop up quite a few bargains: Stop in frequently since most shops have a constant turnover of merchandise. Talk to sales staff and find out which days new merchandise is put out for sale. That way, you'll get the first opportunity to get the best merchandise. Many Goodwills put out new merchandise daily, so serious shoppers may want to stop in on a regular basis to find out what's new. Introduce yourself to the staff, and ask them about items you're looking for or what they would suggest as a good buy. Establish yourself as a regular customer and the staff may even call you to let you know when certain items arrive in the store. Find out store policies on markdowns, holds and the methods of payment your Goodwill accepts. If policies aren't posted, ask the sales staff about them. For the Online Version – Click Here
Oct. 13-15, 2009,	NBC Los Angeles - Channel 4 OC Bargain-Hunters Score Thrifty Deals By Vikki Vargas (STORY AIRED THREE TIMES)
Oct. 12, 2008	The Panther “Day of Service Helps Community, City” By Kerrianne Rivas For some students and alumni, making bandanas for dogs at OC Animal Care is a better use of a Sunday morning than sleeping in.  Several students sat in groups of three to four, cutting strips of fabric and writing phrases on them such as “Adopt Me” for homeless dogs at the animal shelter.  “I’m here to give back and help out the dogs that need a home,” said Alberto M. Lacayo-Herrera, a 2004 alumnus. This is all part of the first Chapman Day of Service, hosted by Student Civic Engagement, which began around 9 a.m. yesterday as a kick off to Chapman’s Give A Little Bit campaign.  More than a hundred volunteers headed to five off-campus sites including: Casa Teresa, Mary’s Kitchen, YMCA of Orange, Pretend City Children’s Museum, and the Santa Ana Youth Expo. Many also stayed on campus to do projects, like making bandanas.  “Service to the community is a responsibility we all have,” said Chris Hutchison, associate director of Student and Campus Life.  Cherry On Top, Belshire Environmental Services, Inc., Sodexo and Watson Drug and Soda Fountain were a few of the event’s sponsors. Chapman’s past Make a Difference Days were organized similarly to the Day of Service, but did not involve as many students, said Justin Koppelman, program coordinator for Student Civic Engagement.  This year the program is pushing short-term activities to create a foundation for students to continue volunteering beyond one-day events, Koppelman said.  The Give A Little Bit campaign is a two-year service commitment by Chapman to give 150,000 hours of community service to Orange County in celebration of Chapman’s 150th anniversary in 2011, according to the university’s Web site. President Jim Doti said that he thinks Chapman can exceed the 150,000 hour goal at the Day of Service opening ceremony.  Mayor of Orange Carolyn Cavecche thanked Chapman and said later that service is needed now more than ever because of the economy.  The event ended at 12:30 p.m. with a volunteer fair where students could talk with representatives from community agencies and have lunch provided by Sodexo.  Senior Marisa Conner, service program assistant, said some students remain in a college bubble.  “As college students, it is our civic duty to use our knowledge and expertise to go and help our community,” she said. For Online Version – Click Here

Oct. 5, 2008

The Panther “Non-Profit Organizations Look for Funding” By Caroline Stegner After taking a semester off of work, senior Connor McGinn did not expect many people to remember him. But when he entered the Blind Children’s Learning Center, a 4-year-old boy knew who entered the building just at the sound of his voice.  Since 2007, McGinn has provided tutoring services at the non-profit, which is currently suffering from the poor economy.   Chapman students like McGinn have shown an interest in volunteering and working at non-profits for internship credit or to simply lend a hand. But while interest is up, funding is not. Organizations like the Blind Children’s Learning Center in Santa Ana, and Casa Teresa in Orange lost funding in 2008. Individual donations dropped because of the economic downturn, forcing the non-profits to rely on more support from foundations and government agencies. To counteract the economic situation, non-profits are increasing fundraising efforts and applying to more foundations for grants.  According to Natalie Bishop, program officer for Orange County Community Foundation and a 2006 alumna, the need for services like food, shelter and housing assistance is much greater because of the lack of funds.  “[Non-profits] really have to re-think fundraising. A lot of the time they’ll just do one gala, but no one is going,” said Bishop. “They just have to be more creative.” Non-profits are generally comprised of charities or service organizations which use funds to assist others and pursue the goals of their mission statement. Funding typically comes from three different areas: government agencies, foundations and primarily individual donations, Bishop said. Bishop has noticed a trend in non-profit organizations cutting or creating different plans for staff to save money. For example, some programs are using part-time staff or are sharing staffers among themselves, she said.  “Two non-profits will use one person and split the cost,” said Bishop. “There’s a lot more collaboration, which is a good thing anyways.” The Orange County Community Foundation provides several grant programs for struggling non-profits. The program typically gives $20-$25 million a year to non-profits, with only $1 million of the total from its own endowment and the rest from donors. The organization was directly affected by the economic downturn, Bishop said. Compared to the usual $800,000 raised, the program only gave $250,000 this year. But by increasing its effort to attract donors from the community they serve, the organization was able to raise $830,000 in April 2009, Bishop said.  “We’re a little bit like a bank,” Bishop said. “People give us money whenever they want and get a tax deduction.” Non-profits like the Blind Children’s Learning Center have also noticed a decline in funding. The organization focuses on aiding blind and visually impaired pre-school children from 6 months to 6 years old. However, the organization also provides services to students up to 21 years old. Kim Neuhauser, president and executive director of the Blind Children’s Learning Center, noticed individual donors and corporations decreasing financial support in October 2008. Two of the Center’s events, a golf tournament run by Johnson & Johnson and a 5K walk, did not raise as much money as in previous years, she said.  The two events raised a total of $107,000 in the 2007-08 fiscal year, while only $78,000 was raised in the 2008-09 fiscal year, Neuhauser said.  She received the first clue that something was going on when Johnson & Johnson cancelled the golf tournament for the 2009-10 fiscal year due to a lack of funds. “When we budgeted for this coming year, we budgeted very conservatively,” Neuhauser said. “We expect this trend of fewer donations to continue next year.”  During the 2007-08 fiscal year, the Blind Children’s Learning Center raised $1,030,000 from individual donations, the government and corporations. But for the 2008-09 fiscal year the program raised only $954,000, Neuhauser said. About $334 million of the state budget was cut from the Department of Developmental Services, Neuhauser said. As a result, students with special needs now receive two hours of service, instead of four, she said.   “When children don’t get access to education, particularly those who are visually impaired, they get so far behind and it’s very hard for them to catch up,” Neuhauser said. “Budget cuts are really devastating to the children.”  McGinn decided to work at the Blind Children’s Learning Center as a part of Chapman’s work-study program.  “Rather than pushing papers behind a desk I actually get to work with kids and make a difference,” McGinn said. “It’s so much more interesting to work with people.”  McGinn often works as a math and English tutor in a classroom of about six to 10 children. He also plays with them, which usually involves working with textures like mud, water or Velcro, he said. “[The job] has nothing to do with my major. It’s just the fact that I get to play with little kids all day,” McGinn said. “People get back from work and [complain] that they had to do this and that, but I get to finger paint and play with blocks.” Like the Blind Children’s Learning Center, Casa Teresa provides services to the less fortunate, specifically pregnant and homeless women. The program currently houses about 25 women who live in the homes for a few months or up to two years, said Terri Anderson, finance manager for Casa Teresa.  Although Anderson noticed a downturn in individual donations beginning in summer 2008, she also saw foundations providing more funding, she said.  “The foundations upped the ante a little bit, knowing that most non-profits were going to see a downturn in individuals,” said Anderson. “They kind of filled in the gap.” In the 2007-08 fiscal year, Casa Teresa received $559,916 from individual donations, which decreased to $369,443 in the 2008-09 fiscal year, according to Anderson. When the program noticed the decline in contributions, they decided to increase fundraising efforts and applications to foundations for grants.  Last year, Casa Teresa submitted about four grant proposals each month, while this year about six are proposed each month. The process of requesting a grant can take up to nine months to be evaluated and accepted, Anderson said.  “Even though we know there’s going to be a pull back, we’re going to apply for more [grants],” Anderson said. Senior Marisa Conner, service program assistant in the Department of Student and Campus Life, started volunteering for Casa Teresa in fall 2007. Conner was drawn to the organization’s purpose and proximity to campus, she said. As a volunteer, Conner primarily worked as a baby sitter while the mothers attended educational classes through Casa Teresa and went grocery or clothing shopping. This year, she applied as an intern for Casa Teresa through Chapman’s internship program to receive credit. Her duties as an intern include sitting in on meetings and shadowing the house moms, which is the equivalent to a supervisor in the homes.   “The house moms are basically in charge of everything that’s going on during the time they’re on duty, like overseeing volunteers,” said Conner. “They kind of run the place.” The economic situation has not been entirely negative for non-profit organizations, however.  Anderson said the program has seen an increase in students applying for internships, mainly ones from Chapman, Cal State Fullerton and the University of Notre Dame. In addition to interns, Casa Teresa has a strong base of support and people who have volunteered for more than 30 years, she said.  “Even though funding dipped a little, it’s not like [the volunteers] are gone,” said Anderson. The Blind Children’s Learning Center has also seen a rise in students applying for internships. Currently, the program has 14 Cal State Fullerton interns and a couple of work-study students from Chapman, Neuhauser said. The organization has also seen a rise in volunteers, specifically people who are unemployed and want to do something constructive, she said.  Both non-profit organizations have learned to cope with the current economic situation and have found ways to make up for the loss of funds.  “We think we’re coming out of the recession but still think we won’t see the full benefits for nine months to a year,” Anderson said. “But we’re hanging in there.” For Online Version – Click Here

July / August 2009

The Old Towne Orange Plaza Review Community Cares - “Reach Out and Help Someone” By Julie Bawden-Davis CASA TERESA CLOTHING SALES Casa Teresa provides a temporary home and on-going support for pregnant women 18 years of age and older who are alone.  This summer on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. they are selling clothes at the Grand St. parking lot across from First Presbyterian Church.  Sales from the gently used clothes, shoes and purses, which run from $2-$10, help provide diapers and toiletries for the organization.  Contact Yvonne Aguilera at yaguilera@casateresa.com, or 714.538.4860 x 20.

May 2009

The Orange County Catholic “Casa Teresa Announces 2009 Mother of the Year Honorees” By Ashley Winters DIOCESAN NEWS - Casa Teresa, a nonprofit organization that provides a temporary home and ongoing support for pregnant women aged 18 and older, is hosting the first Mother of the Year Awards on Thursday, May 28, at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Casa Teresa will be recognizing women in the community, as well as a Casa Teresa graduate, who have balanced motherhood, community involvement, professional endeavors, and philanthropy. The event will include dinner, presentations by family of each honoree, and the awards presentation. This year’s honorees include Casa Teresa co-founder Sally Sullivan, a mother of seven; mother of four Susan Strader, an advocate for children, the arts and the community; and Frances Carrillo, a former Casa Teresa resident who is a mother of three. All the honorees represent Casa Teresa’s goal of empowering women to be independent and to be good parents. “We are pleased to recognize these women and create awareness about Casa Teresa,” says Casa Teresa Announces 2009 Mother of the Year Honorees Casa Teresa Executive Director Stacey Proctor.  “I am looking forward to the event and celebrating each honoree’s accomplishments with Casa Teresa and the community.” For the past 30 years, Casa Teresa has been home to more than 2,300 pregnant women. Counseling and educational programs prepare these women to make loving and informed life decisions for themselves and their babies. The program has three separate residential programs: The Parenting Program, the Adoption Program “Hannah’s House,” and the Transition Program (Phase I and Phase II) for single mothers. The Casa Teresa experience is transformational, offering women with no means of support the opportunity to become self-sufficient and independent. For information about the Mother of the Year Dinner and Casa Teresa, call 714-538-4860 . Frances Carrillo                        Susan Strader                           Sally Sullivan For the Online Version – Click Here

April 13, 2009 and April 16, 2009

The Orange County Register and The Orange City News “Students Lend a Hand at Casa Teresa” By Pamela Sailor ORANGE - Casa Teresa, an Orange nonprofit organization that provides a temporary home and ongoing support for pregnant women 18 and older, was recently selected to be part of South Jr. High School’s annual Service Day. The students were on spring break last week and volunteered their time to come out and give back to the community. Twenty students from the Anaheim school arrived at 8:45 a.m. Friday morning to plant donated flowers around Casa Teresa’s facilities and cook in the kitchen. The noise of eager planters and the smell of fresh-baked goods brightened the hearts of Casa Teresa’s residents and staff. One of Casa Teresa’s residents, Trina said, “I feel so lucky to have them here, even though I have to depend on myself, it is nice to receive help and support.” For the past 30 years, Casa Teresa has been home to more than 2,300 pregnant women. Counseling and educational programs prepare these women to make loving and informed life decisions for themselves and their babies. Information: 714-538-4860. Pamela Sailor is marketing and special events manager for Casa Teresa. South Jr. High students help beautify the grounds at Casa Teresa in Orange. Students present Casa Teresa flowers. Anaheim students help out in the kitchen. Casa Teresa resident Angie and baby Addison take time to smell the flowers. CLICK Here to Read The Orange County Register Article Online CLICK Here to Read The Orange City News Article Online (View Page 7)

Feb. 8, 2009

The Orange County Register “Hobby Meets History at Museum’s Quilting Event” By Jaimee Lynn Fletcher SANTA ANA - The Bowers Museum displays historic textiles and caters to local enthusiasts.  A modern-day hobby mingled with a proud and practical tradition on Sunday as dozens of Orange County quilters and enthusiasts perused the Bowers Museum's "All About Quilts" exhibit and quilt fair.  Quilting demonstrations and vendors showed the art form's latest techniques, while walls draped with vibrant and intricate quilts dating back to 1775 outlined the history of how quilting came to be an American tradition. Today's patchwork pieces are created to tell stories, encourage community involvement and help various philanthropic causes, much like in the past, some quilters said.  Pioneer women in the early 1800s sewed the patched blankets from pieces of old clothing as a necessity for their families. The pastime also became a way for women to bond, according to the exhibit. Civil War-era story quilts were said to be maps to lead slaves out of imprisonment. The blankets would lead men and women through the Underground Railroad to safety, the exhibit explained.  Wives and mothers of Civil War soldiers also made quilts for the men to use as bedding when they were fighting in the field. During the Depression, quilting served as an economics-savvy hobby. Scraps of fabric were collected and sewn together to make an impressive and eclectic piece of art that also served a functional purpose, the exhibit showed. Although enthusiasm for quilting seemed to taper off in the 1950s and 1960s, the founding principles of the hobby have inspired more than 400 Orange County residents to join O.C.'s Quilters Guild, said Jeanne Sandow, 57, of Santa Ana.  "It's a heritage," Sandow said. "I have a quilt that my great-great-great-grandmother made from 1855.  "It's also a great pastime."  Sandow has been quilting since she was a teenager. The self-taught quilter's works are meticulously pieced together with perfect, even stitching and colorful patterns. The quilting guild, she said, is a good bonding experience for residents who share the same passion. Guild members sometimes work on pieces together, much like the pioneer women, and at other times create their own pieces to share at meetings, Sandow said. Peggy Calvert, 58, of Orange said today's quilting also maintains the historical storytelling function while serving various philanthropic causes.  "We've created quilts for local veterans and we've donated to many charities including Casa Teresa," she said.  The guild also created a quilt for a local library to encourage children to read, similar to the Civil War-era quilts that acted as maps or family stories.  "We created children's story-character archetypes and hung it on the wall," she said. "That idea of communicating through quilting was there." Although some techniques have changed over time, the O.C. Quilters Guild strives to hang on to the centuries-old tradition that members hope will continue to be passed on to future generations.  "It's just a great way to be part of your community," Calvert said. The Bowers Museum's "American Quilts: 200 Years of Tradition" exhibit will be on display until March 15. For Online Version – Click Here

October 2008

The Journal “Casa Teresa: A Mother’s Day to Remember” By: Tracy Thacker, Casa Teresa Volunteer A woman’s first Mother’s Day should be unforgettable.  For the expectant and new mothers of Casa Teresa, a temporary home for pregnant women who are over the age of 18 and alone, Mother’s Day truly was a celebration because members of the Order of Malta were there to serve and share in this special day.  Hosted and orchestrated by Knight Lou Oddo and his wife Diana, with Provisional Knight, Terry McGaughan and his wife, Kathy, a bountiful, homemade, classic, Italian lunch of lasagna was served and enjoyed by the mothers while they socialized and played with their children. All present were thankful that day, including one Casa Teresa mother, Lorena, whose life has been drastically changed by the Casa Teresa program.  In her earlier years, Lorena had been involved in drugs, which led to her being sent to jail and losing custody of her twelve and nine year old daughters. After being released, Lorena discovered she was pregnant, which was when she called for help.  Located in Orange, California, Casa Teresa is a safe haven for women over the age of 18 who find themselves pregnant with nowhere to turn. Through the counseling, educational programs and ongoing support Casa Teresa provides, Lorena has regained her relationship with her two daughters, has a beautiful new son, and is able to support herself. “They have helped me to redo my life, and to recover my children,” Lorena expressed. “I feel so thankful that this place has given me the opportunity to raise my boy.” Like many of the other 2,300 women that Casa Teresa has helped during the last thirty years, Lorena is very thankful for the help and support that Casa Teresa has provided for her. Founded in 1976 by Neill and Sally Sullivan of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, California, Casa Teresa has been home to thousands of women who have become self sufficient and independent. Casa Teresa offers single mothers three, separate, residential programs, The Parenting Program, The Adoption Program (“Hannah’s House”), and the Transition Program (Phase I & II).  The goal at Casa Teresa is to assist motivated, young women during their pregnancy to break the cycle of dependency and abuse by providing psychological and career counseling, financial and case management, education, and the tools for a successful transition back into society. Women can stay at Casa Teresa for up to two years. During this time mothers are supported while they strive to obtain a job or further their education. The members of the Order of Malta continue to support the goals of Casa Teresa by teaching nutrition classes to the residents, encouraging the residents and hosting Mass.  The grant monies that Casa Teresa receives annually from the Order of Malta benefit the programs that Casa Teresa offers its residents. The relationship between these two organizations continues to grow.  “This place gives them a second opportunity,” said Diana Oddo. “How many times can you say that you received a second opportunity?” Without the support that this sober and supportive environment provides, many mothers would not be in the positive position they are in today. For the Online Version – Click Here

Oct. 02 2008

The Orange County Register “What’s On Our Minds” By Minday Schauer and Paul Rodriguez Frances Carrillo, 42, Anaheim.  "I work at Casa Teresa, a home for single moms and teach a sexual integrity workshop once a week. I see a lot of pain. Most woman are broken who use their bodies as an object instead of a special and intricate part of their being. The media is responsible." For Online Version – Click Here

Sept. 20 2008

The Orange County Register “Girls Haul Trash for Diaper Cash and Vaccines” By Vic Jolly The Norman girls' effort to raise money for a local non-profit has led Pampers to donate 1,000 tetanus vaccines to UNICEF.  NORTH TUSTIN - Tooth fairy money. Some shoe leather and elbow grease. And a fair amount of stinky neighborhood trash.  When the idea took root in Claire Norman's head as she watched a Pampers commercial during summer break, the 11-year-old could not have guessed how it would all come together.  The faces of the "cute and cuddly" babies from various parts of the world on her television screen are what got her attention, recalls the Arroyo Elementary School fifth-grader. Pampers had pledged to match each specially marked bag of diaper purchased with a vaccine donation to UNICEF for babies and moms in underdeveloped countries of the world.  "Personally, I hate shots," said Claire, smiling through her braces. But this seemed important.  So, over the next few days, she bugged her mother, Jane. Claire called her over whenever the commercial played. Jane Norman, 40, a homemaker in the middle of a divorce, her hands full raising Claire and her two younger sisters, Grace, 9, and Mary, 6, wondered what they could do.  At first, mom had an "Oh, geez" moment. But Claire wasn't giving up.  "I thought if I could get the diapers and give them to one of the babies who need them, then they could get the shots," she recalled thinking. Claire already had helped an elderly neighbor take out her trash, so she thought if she could do that for some of their other neighbors and raise some money, she could buy a bunch of diapers.  Mom encouraged her and helped write out a paragraph that explained the 1 pack of Pampers = 1 vaccine commercial.  Grandma Peggy Van Steenhuyse suggested they donate the diapers to Casa Teresa in Orange, a nonprofit that for 30 years has provided shelter and support for pregnant women 18 years of age and older. With a colorful flier in hand and previous experience taking out trash, the Norman sisters made their pitch.  "Hi, we're raising money for babies, what's your name?" is how the girls introduced themselves to neighbors, Grace recalled. Many of the neighbors contributed without asking the girls to haul trash.  Claire, Grace and little Mary took out about 20 neighbors' trash for two weeks and even put the empty cans back the next day. The $155.78 the Norman girls ended up raising included some $20 of their own – Mary parted with $8 of her $12 in tooth fairy money and the rest came from the sisters' piggy banks.  But hauling trash cans during the hot, mid-August days of summer is not without its icky parts.  "A lot of them were heavy and really stinky," said Claire.  "When they came back, honest to goodness, they were sweaty," said Jane Norman, gesturing with her hands around the side of her face.  But in the end, it was worth the effort, say the girls and their mother, who are not strangers to helping those in need. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the family put up a displaced family from Louisiana in a guest room at their Los Angeles home, where the Normans lived before moving to North Tustin. And, the Normans also helped furnish a house for another Katrina family.  "I am really proud of me and my sisters," said Claire, "Kids our age should try to make a difference, big or small. … It makes you feel good." Touched by the girls' effort, Pampers has decided to send 1,000 tetanus vaccines to UNICEF.  The local Albertsons has donated another $127 in diapers and the Norman girls are now ready to deliver 900 to 1,000 diapers to Casa Teresa, which plans to recognize the sisters for their community-conscious attitude. Claire will receive the nonprofit's "Making a Difference" award on Tuesday.  "It's remarkable to see young ladies having an impact at such a young age," said Pamela Sailor, a spokeswoman for Casa Teresa.  (Left) ABOVE AND BEYOND: Sisters Grace, 9, Claire, 11, and Mary Norman, 6, from left, are pictured outside of their home in North Tustin. The girls went door-to-door in their neighborhood to raise money for Casa Teresa, a shelter for single mothers. (Right) FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Sisters Grace, 9, Mary, 6, and Claire Norman, 11, from right, are pictured with a mountain of diapers outside of their North Tustin home. The girls went door-to-door in their neighborhood to raise money to donate diapers for Casa Teresa, a shelter for single mothers. CHRISTINA HOUSE, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER For Online Version – Click Here

August 2008

The Orange County Catholic By Amanda Leon On Sept. 23, Tustin residents Claire, 11, Grace, 9, and Mary Norman, 6, received Casa Teresa’s “Making a Difference” award, presented by Michelle Baehner, last year’s recipient. City of Orange Mayor Carolyn Caveeche and the Tustin City Council presented the young girls with appreciation awards in honor of their Changing the World, One Diaper at a Time contribution to Casa Teresa, a home for pregnant women who are alone, and their effort to help babies around the world. In exchange for donations for their “Please Help Babies” campaign, the Norman girls raised $157.46 by taking out their neighbors’ trash for two weeks. With their hard-earned donations in hand, the girls headed to the diaper aisle and made sure to buy Pampers brand to support the “One Pack = One Vaccine” campaign, which provides vaccination to mothers and babies in need in underdeveloped countries. Their actions were enough to inspire Procter & Gamble to match their donation to Casa Teresa and to donate 1,000 vaccines in their names. Albertson’s was also touched when they saw the young girls purchasing 20 packs of Pampers, and decided to match their contribution of diapers to the women’s shelter. “We are so touched and impressed by the Norman girls’ efforts to provide us with this highly needed item,” said Jim Lester, executive director for Casa Teresa. “It is heart-warming to see people, especially so young, taking an active role in Casa Teresa and in its mission to lead moms on a path toward a brighter future for themselves and their babies.” Claire, Grace, and Mary’s total contribution of just under 1,000 diapers—a $433.97 value—will help alleviate a portion of the costs needed to purchase the 52,000 diapers used annually by the babies at Casa Teresa. “The extraordinary kindness shown by these young girls and people like them is what allows Casa Teresa to help the ever-growing population of homeless women and babies,” said Pamela Sailor, spokesperson for Casa Teresa. “The Norman girls are such a blessing to us.” Casa Teresa provides a temporary home and ongoing support for pregnant women 18 years and older who are alone. Counseling and educational programs prepare these women to make loving and informed life decisions for themselves and their babies. Casa Teresa offers three separate residential programs: The Parenting Program, the Adoption Program “Hannah’s House,” and the Transition Program (Phase I and Phase II) for single mothers. Over the past thirty years, Casa Teresa has been home to more than 2,300 pregnant women. Information: 714-538-4860 or www.casateresa.com. OCC For Online Version – Click Here

May 16, 2008

Excelsior “Celebrating the opportunity of being a mother after a life of abuse and drug addiction, Lorraine Antilia passed the weekend of the Day of the Mothers next to her three children” By Courtney Bacalso For Lorraine Antilia, Gabriel, her baby of 14 months, is a gift of God, a gift that she was on the verge of losing on account of the evils from her past, but now feels fortunate of having.  Antilia was one of the mothers that celebrated Mother’s Day at Casa Teresa this past Sunday and who gave thanks for the opportunity to be able to be there next to her children.  “This place gives them a second opportunity,” said Diana Oddo, who collaborates with Casa Teresa to help single mothers.  “How many times can you say that you received a second opportunity?”  This second opportunity was what managed to change the life of Antilia.  Before entering at Casa Teresa, Antilia was involved in drugs and served time in jail.  During that same time, Antilla lost custody completely of her daughters, Aliana, now 12 years old, and Alexandría, 9.  When she was put on probation, Antilia wanted to redo her life.  But things got complicated when she realized that she was pregnant.  “I had just left jail,” said Antilia.  “I was not in a position to have a family”.  It was then that Casa Teresa helped.  “They have helped me to redo my life, and to recover my children,” said Antilia.  Casa Teresa is a home that offers support to single mothers, many of whom have suffered abuse, but now have the desire to improve their lives.  Casa Teresa helps these women to provide a better opportunity for their children.  “If I had to describe Casa Teresa in a few words I would say that we are a place that breaks the cycle of abuse,” said Pamela Sailor, a spokesman of Casa Teresa.  The program is divided into two parts.  The mothers attend the first part of the program when they are pregnant to when their babies are approximately two months old.  Later the mothers can pass to the second phase of the program, the Transition Program, where they live communally with other mothers.  The final phase of the program is where the mothers live in loft-style apartments that Casa Teresa provides to help to establish the feeling of independence.  During this extra time, the mothers have the opportunity to learn how to be responsible of their personal finances, to improve their self-esteem, to plan for the future and how to be better mothers.  “I needed to improve myself,” said Alina Kamae, another of the mothers that resides at Casa Teresa.  “I needed to improve my life for me and for my daughter, and needed to begin to take responsibility for my actions,” said Kamae.  Now Kamae has a healthy girl of 13 months, has obtained work and is prepared to live alone.  “After Casa Teresa, these women will no longer have to depend on anyone,” said Oddo.  “They will be able to depend on themselves”.  Antilia plans to do the same thing.  After approximately two years of living at Casa Teresa, Antilia celebrated Mother’s Day with her three children.  Now, Antilia is prepared to finish the last phase of the program, and says that if it wasn’t for Casa Teresa, she would never have recovered her daughters, much less to have been a mother for Gabriel.  “I feel so thankful that this place has given me the opportunity to raise my boy,” said Antilia among sobs.  “I love my son and I give thanks that he is alive.”

March 2, 2008

The Panther “Vagina Monologues Address Serious Issues with Comedic Twist” By Matt Grager “Vagina. The word sounds like an infection at best.”  This was one of the first shocking lines delivered, in a monologue by junior Laura Zempel, in the Feb. 29 performance of the “Vagina Monologues.” As the production progressed, these words seemed less outrageous as the audience listened to comparisons of the female genitalia to freeways and flowers, descriptions of vaginas dressed in pearls and pink tutus and suggestive language from cast members that included statements like, “slow down,” and “come inside.”  Each actress had a chance in the spotlight, but every monologue personified one entity: the vagina itself. The performance in the Irvine Lecture Hall combined humorous and somber moments to encourage women to become comfortable with their bodies and sexuality and to think critically about women’s issues around the globe. “It’s 2008, and men and women still aren’t comfortable talking about the vagina,” said Erica Cohn, the director of the show. “This brings the issue to the forefront. It gives women the opportunity to feel more comfortable talking about their needs and their sexuality.” Eve Ensler, the writer of “Vagina Monologues,” created V-day, an organization dedicated to preventing violence against women. Ensler asks that each performance of her play donate proceeds to local women’s causes. Some of the funds from the Feb. 29 performance were donated to Casa Teresa, a local temporary home for pregnant women. Representatives from this home, along with volunteers from other charities such as Beads for Life - which develops Ugandan communities by selling their beaded jewelry - and Sexual Assault Victim Services - the rape crisis center for Orange County – set up tables to inform audience members about women’s issues as they entered the show. “How could we not come to ‘Vagina Monologues’?” said Christina Beecher, volunteer coordinator for Sexual Assualt Victim Services. “[What] with V-Day and all the work Eve Ensler has done to stop violence towards women.” In addition to raising money for charities, portions of the play were written to raise the level of social consciousness among audience members about specific issues such as rape and female genital mutilation. One monologue, titled “My Vagina Was My Village,” is the first-person story of a Bosnian woman who is raped by enemy soldiers. “I haven’t experienced anything like that personally,” said junior Akiko Katagiri, who performed the piece. “I really want to let people know this is a reality. People get caught up in the little things and overlook these huge issues.” The genuine tone of the monologue also seemed to resonate with audience members. “I knew that stuff happened, but having it poetically told was much more powerful,” said Meredith Fay, a junior from UCI. However, the show was not all serious in nature.  One monologue was the comedic story of a prostitute who only pleasures women, and considers herself something of a moaning connoisseur. The actress began reciting the differences between “clit moans” and “vaginal moans,” and then touched on a new level of suggestive language while describing “mountaintop moans” and “machine gun moans.”  Though frequent sexual antics were aimed at making women feel more comfortable with their bodies and sexuality, the play offered meaning for male audience members as well.   “It was really eye-opening for me as a male,” said junior James Akau. “It made me more wary of how I [should] treat women. They’re a whole other species.” The Panther Online

February 25, 2008

The Panther “Numerous Campus Groups Work to Prevent Violence Against Women” By Sarah Young V-Day is no longer about romance; it is about violence. In an effort to stop violence against women, “The Vagina Monologues” creator Eve Ensler started an organization called V-Day. This global movement is one beneficiary of Chapman’s second annual production of “The Vagina Monologues,” showing Feb. 29 and March 1 in the Irvine Lecture Hall. The production is an example of an effort made by one of Chapman’s on-campus groups dedicated to preventing violence on campus. By providing information and hosting educational events throughout the year, numerous campus organizations aim to keep students and faculty conscientious and interactive in an attempt to curtail violence against women. “The first step in ending violence, or more specifically violence against women, is to bring awareness to the Chapman community,” said junior Michelle Pascucci, producer of the Vagina Monologues. “‘[The] Vagina Monologues’ discusses issues ranging from tampons to Bosnian women’s rape testimonies.” “The Vagina Monoglues” will donate proceeds to Casa Teresa, an Orange County program that provides a support network for single pregnant women. The program was first involved with the Chapman community in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  “Usually we have to pound on doors to get donations,” said Pamela Sailor, Casa Teresa marketing and special events manager. “But Chapman students came to us and it has been a great partnership.” Chapman groups and Orange County organizations such as Bead for Life, Planned Parenthood, Community Service Programs, and C.A.R.E.S. will also be represented at “The Vagina Monologues” with tables set up to provide information on preventing violence against women.  Based at Chapman, C.A.R.E.S. - Creating a Rape-free Environment for Students - comprises student volunteers. The group educates and empowers others about issues of rape and sexual assault. This advocacy group hosts educational programs and events such as The Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night. The Clothesline Project is an annual event that displays T-shirts color-coded to represent acts of violence and advocacy. Chapman has modified this national project to represent violence against boys and men as well as including advocacy shirts from members of the Chapman community to speak out against all types of violence. “Violence is a people’s issue, not a women’s issue,” said Smith. Take Back the Night, another event that speaks out against sexual and domestic violence, includes an open mic portion that gives people their voice, said Smith. “It’s difficult for a lot of people to talk about and report their experiences,” said Pascucci. “These events allow students and faculty members to create their own way of speaking out and preventing violence.” In a 2004-2007 Public Safety department annual security report, there were 13 reported assaults and one reported rape on Chapman University-controlled property. “These statistics show a consistently low violence rate on campus,” said Randy Burba, Chief of Public Safety. “But for me, one instance is too many.” However, violence is not just a campus safety concern. It is just as problematic in the classroom when dealing with writing as a form of self-expression, said Richard Ruppel, the English department chair. “People are used to violence in novels, stories and film,” said Ruppel. “But difficulties arise when people are affected by it and it’s up to the teacher to be the judge and make the students feel safe in their classrooms.” If these expressions of violence become excessive, personal or targeted towards others, the professor will contact the department chair, confer with the students involved and possibly contact on-campus counseling services or public safety if the problem becomes extreme, according to Ruppel. Outside of the classroom, Public Safety plays an integral role in keeping the campus predator-free. The blue emergency phone booths on school grounds are checked once a month for maintenance, lighting surveys are conducted frequently, safety walks are performed annually to check for weaknesses in campus security and Operation Safe Ride is provided for students whenever needed, according to Burba. “We try to produce an environment where people are less likely to be victimized,” said Burba. “And since Chapman has a small campus and student population, we are able to look out for each other.” In addition to keeping the campus looking and feeling safe, Public Safety’s goal is to teach students about violence prevention by providing information and self-defense training, said Burba. “By educating students about violence, they are able to take care of themselves and then take care of others,” said Burba. Public Safety teaches defense tactics for women, ages 16 and older, as part of their Rape Awareness Defense (R.A.D.) classes every semester. The program, taught by Public Safety Lt. Craig Lee, is broken up into three days. The first focuses on education, the second covers defense tactics and the third teaches hands-on training. Once the program is completed, each person becomes R.A.D. certified. A group session outside of the scheduled classes of up to 15 people can be arranged by contacting Lt. Lee.  “The Provost Office and C.A.R.E.S. group have been through the program,” said Lee. “We are in the process of getting the residence assistants R.A.D. certified and we would love to get the sororities involved too.” These events, programs and classes give students the opportunity to receive education, but the key to achieving non-violence is to take action, according to Smith. Today we have mistaken the idea of violence and non-violence,” Smith said. “Being non-violent does not mean that we are passive, it means that we are more mature.” The Panther Online

November 8, 2007

The Orange County Register “Get a Jump on Your Holiday Shopping” By Lisa Liddane If you're looking for holiday décor for your home or want to get a jump start on gift shopping, check out the Christmas Company Nov. 16-19 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center at Fair Drive and the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa. More than 100 select vendors are featured, including The Gift Box in Balboa Island, The Carved Horse in San Juan Capistrano, Model Metalworks Inc. in Huntington Beach and Nautical Luxuries in Irvine, among other locals. The four-day event kicks off with a preferred shopping breakfast ($30) that gives you first dibs from 8 a.m. to 10.a.m on Nov. 16. There's also early bird shopping ($20) from 8 a.m. to10 a.m. on Nov. 17. General admission tickets ($10) are valid from 10 a.m. to10 p.m. Nov. 16, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 17-19, and can be purchased at the door. Most of the proceeds of the event go to Junior League of Orange County beneficiaries such as the Orange County Bar Foundation, Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center, Casa Teresa Inc., Girls Inc., Orangewood Children's Foundation's Bridges to Higher Learning, Impact Orange County, and Bear Hugs. For breakfast tickets and information, go to www.jlocc.org or call 949-263-3785. For Online Version – Click Here

November 8, 2007

L.A. SPLASH Magazines Worldwide “1^st Annual Christmas With a Conscience Fashion Charity Extravaganza – Hosted by Actress and Philanthropic Designer Christina Fulton & Weston Coppola-Cage” By Quang Bui Christina Fulton and Weston Coppola-Cage will be presenting FULCAGE’s winter collection on December 5th at Boulevard 3 from 7pm to 12am. They will be supporting the Fulton-Cage’s Single Mom Foundation. The two designers served as ambassadors for single mothers and now unite their expressive and luxurious designs with their obligations to help single mothers. The FULCAGE fashion charity extravaganza will be a one-stop Christmas shop. There will be the FULCAGE designs, hors d’oeuvres, comedy, dancing and a gifting room inside Boulevard 3. Starbucks is also generously sponsoring the event. The objective of FULCAGE is to support and raise awareness of single parenthood, a dormant issue that affects over ten million families in the US . Christina Fulton, a single mom, actress and designer, established this clothing line and charity to support single parents across the country. The clothing line features headwear and apparel for men, women, and children. They also feature a collection of dog apparel. Some of the clothing lines include "Single Mom," "Mom Squad," "Dad Squad" and "Rock on Single Mom." These collections are available online for purchase and in Los Angeles boutiques and will be available for purchase at the Christmas with a Conscience Fashion Charity Extravaganza. A portion of all sales from this line are donated to the Single Mom Foundation. Their goal is to establish funding, opportunities and resources to improve the status and living conditions of single mothers in need. Christina, who founded the foundation, is also working on an upcoming reality show about single moms and fund raising within the community with Tijuana Productions. The FULCAGE mission statement is: “ Save America ’s Single Moms and We’ll Save Our Children!” Expected guests to cross the red carpet include Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, Thomas Jayne, Marla Maples, Tiffany Trump, Cedric the Entertainer, Rex Lee and many others. Actor comedian Pauly Shore will be hosting the event and Brittney Powell, the honored single mom, will be presenting. Dr. Michael Niccole will also be helping the Single Mom Actress Britney Powell. It is a touching story and Fox News has agreed to follow the story of a struggling single Mom’s dream coming true during Christmas. Christina Fulton was also recently crowned the celebrity ambassador by Casa Teresa, a non-profit organization that provides temporary homes and on-going support for pregnant women 18 years and older. In the past year she has done humanitarian work for The Single Mom Foundation, Haven Hills, Hats Off to Cancer, Driving Donors and her community outreach within inner city kids. With Sheriff Lee Baca on her advisory board her outreach expands beyond single parents. She also is continuing her movie career along side her philanthropic work. Attend the 1st Annual Christmas with a Conscience Fashion Charity Extravaganza at Boulevard 3 and get your Christmas gifts while supporting single mothers. The event will start at 7pm and go till 12am. $100 donations grants general admission including food, drinks and entro to the raffle. $500 donation grants you access to the VIP celebrity lounge, a VIP gift bag valued over $2500, and auto entry to the VIP raffle. All Donations are Tax Exempt and go to the Charities. For Donations or Tickets call 323.655.5300 or visit www.FULCAGE.com L.A. SPLASH Magazines Worldwide

November 6, 2007

The Orange County Register “The Gift of Giving; How Charity Works” By Peter Larsen CASA TERESA - The mission: "We are a home for pregnant women who have nowhere to go," said spokeswoman Pamela Sailor. In addition to providing a place to live during their pregnancies, Casa Teresa has expanded over the years to offer educational programs aimed at helping the women learn to live on their own and provide stable homes for their families. The process: The mothers at Casa Teresa are offered everything from nutrition and health classes to job training to counseling to help them break the cycle of poverty, addiction or other poor life choices. If accepted into the program during their pregnancies, they can stay for up to two years. The people: The organization has 21 full- or part-time employees, and about 225 volunteers donate their effort each year. The jobs: Volunteers do everything from baby-sitting while the new mothers attend classes to cooking meals as part of nutrition training. Some offer their own special skills – a photographer shot Christmas portraits, a poet taught poetry classes. Donations are important, too, Sailor said. To support one woman in the program costs $17,775 yearly.  For more: www.casateresa.com Photos - CINDY YAMANAKA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER NAPTIME: Single mom Brandy Ford, 31, rocks her four-month-old son Michael Anthony after giving him his bottle.  The Casa Teresa resident's day consisted of two parenting classes, work and a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. SPARKLING PERSONALITY: Brandy Ford's eye shadow matches her personality. Taken at the Casa Teresa home in Orange where she lives. Ford kisses her four-month-old son Michael Anthony good night. The single mom says she "runs with God" now. For Online Version – Click Here

Oct. 29, 2007

Excelsior “Otra Opción Para las Madres Solteras;  Casa Teresa Ofrece Ahora Cuidados Infantiles con la Apertura de un Nuevo Centro” Por Laura Bucio Casa Teresa, un centro que ofrece cuidados a mujeres embarazadas, ahora también puede ofrecerles un lugar de cuidado infantil. Todas aquellas mujeres que han recibido ayuda previamente pueden dejar a sus niños en Casa Teresa durante el día.  En Centro de Cuidado Infantil Dorothy Von der Ahe, de Casa Teresa, abrió sus puertas la semana pasada y ya hay varios niños que están recibiendo cuidados.  El centro fue abierto con la colaboración de la Iglesia presbiteriana, que se ha comprometido a pagar a los empleados que trabajan en el centro. “No creo que haya nadie que haya recibido esta clase de cuidados cuando era pequeño”, dijo Pamela Sailor, gerente de ventas y eventos especiales en Casa Teresa. Sailor asegura que la iglesia ha contratado a personas que han estudiado específicamente acerca de los cuidados infantiles. Las madres que dejan ahí a sus pequeños pueden estar seguras de que sus niños están recibiendo el cuidado apropiado. En el nuevo centro los niños pueden participar en varias actividades que los ayudan a crecer y a desarrollar sus sentidos, afirmó Sailor. Casa Teresa comenzó como un lugar donde las mujeres embarazadas de pocos recursos podían acudir para obtener ayuda. Después de un tiempo la casa añadió dos programas a sus servicios. Es lo que ellos llaman transiciones uno y dos. En estos programas las mujeres que ya han dado a luz a sus bebés tienen la oportunidad de asistir a la escuela. Casa Teresa también les da asesoría acerca de cuidados para sus bebés, cuidados del hogar y administración del dinero, dijo Sailor. Ahora, con la apertura del Centro de Cuidado Infantil, Casa Teresa puede ofrecerles a las madres ayuda para el cuidado de sus niños. Según Sailor muchas veces estas mujeres llegan a pagar hasta la mitad de su sueldo completo en el cuidado de sus niños. Las mujeres que acuden a Casa Teresa tienen la oportunidad de recibir ayuda a lo largo de su embarazo y hasta que logran una estabilidad económica y mental, afirmó Sailor. “Muchas de estas mujeres nunca han tenido la oportunidad de llevar una vida normal”, dijo Sailor.   “Y hasta ahora este es el único lugar que puede dársela”. For Online Version – Click Here

Oct. 25, 2007 ELISABETH DEFFNER ORANGE PEOPLE

The Orange City News “Senior House Mother Keeps Things Running at Casa Teresa” By Elisabeth Deffner As the senior house mother at Orange’s Casa Teresa—a shelter for single pregnant women—Frances Carrillo does everything from checking the residents’ chore chart, to organizing donations that flow into the shelter, to meeting with the residents one-on-one when they have a problem or a question—or they just need someone to talk to.  “The girls are always coming to me, which I love,” Carrillo said. “It means they trust me.  They’re going through a lot. They depend on us for shelter, depend on us to be kind to them—I never forget that.” Since she started in the newly-created position last year, Carrillo and her colleagues have initiated some new programs, like “Casa Bucks.” Residents can earn the bucks and then use them to “go shopping” for baby supplies and maternity clothes that have been donated to the shelter. “This way they really feel like they’ve earned something,” Carrillo explained. “Can you imagine having to ask every time you need something?” The reality is that these are women in difficult situations—some of them fleeing abusive homes, some of them trying to leave homelessness. Sometimes they arrive at Casa Teresa with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing. If they need to make an emergency purchase—like medication—Carrillo gives them a gift card to a store like Target or Food 4 Less (residents have to return the gift cards and give Carrillo their receipts, so the shelter can maintain an accounting of expenditures). Gift cards are among Carrillo’s favorite donations, though she notes that Casa Teresa also needs new baby car seats, new twin mattresses, and small loveseats to replace the old ones in the shelter’s bedrooms. The dignity and safety of each resident—Casa Teresa has the capacity for 16 women—have been at the forefront of staff’s and volunteers’ minds since the shelter was established 30 years ago. The mission is to help residents achieve self-sufficiency and independence—and to have a chance at a space in Transition I or Transition II, which can extend the Casa Teresa stay till a resident’s baby is 20 months old. Program requirements are simple: residents have to attend school or have a job, save their money, and comply with any court-ordered programs.  Residents are also provided with computer training, job skill assessment, and career development classes. Casa Teresa has grown extensively since Carrillo first encountered it as a scared, pregnant 18-year-old. The staff was much smaller and so was the shelter. (Most recently, Casa Teresa celebrated the opening of the Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center, based at the downtown Orange First Presbyterian Church.) But one thing has remained the same over the intervening years: the support residents gain not only from staff and volunteers, but from each other.   “It’s amazing what happens to them while they’re here,” Carrillo said. “They all become better people while they’re here. They feel like they’re really loved here.”  Carrillo is open with residents about her firsthand experience as a Casa Teresa resident, and she laughs when she says that one of the best things about being a past resident is that the women staying at Casa Teresa now can never snap at her, “You don’t know what it’s like.” Now a mother of three, Carrillo had worked as a police records clerk, a parking control officer, and a dispatcher for the Santa Ana Police Department. She took some time off to be home with her youngest son when he was just starting school, but missed the camaraderie of the workplace.  With her husband, she often discussed what her ideal job would be. “I wish I could be at Casa Teresa and be a housemom or something,” she told him more than once. She started volunteering her photography skills at the shelter, and told executive director Lissa Callaghan to keep her in mind if there was a part-time opening. A few months later, Callaghan phoned to offer her a newly-developed fulltime position.  “It was just from God,” Carrillo said. “How many people get to do what they’ve always dreamed of?  I feel like I really have a purpose in my life.” Orange City News Link

Oct. 18, 2007

The Orange City News “Child Berth; New Infant Care Center in Orange Provides Vital Service for Low-Income Mothers on the Edge” By Gwendolyn Driscoll ORANGE – Brandy Ford knows what a bad childhood means.  When she was 5, her parents divorced.  When she was 12, her alcoholic mother offered her a beer.  When she was 15, she gave birth to her first child, a baby girl she gave up for adoption.  “I couldn't cope,” she says. “It was too hard.”  A drug addiction, bad choices and jail – she was arrested 14 times for drug dealing in one year alone – followed. So did another child, a now-11-year-old boy named Anthony Michael who lives with his father's parents. Today, the 34-year-old Ford is a mother again to a five-month-old boy named Michael Anthony – the mirror-image name chosen so that Ford feels “I have both my boys together.”  She says she is determined, she says, to both fight her addiction and provide her newborn with a childhood far different than her own.  It is why, each morning, she walks her baby to a brightly painted building filled with the offspring of women just like her – new mothers on the edge of homelessness, addiction and poverty. Center opening The building is the latest brainchild of Casa Teresa, the Orange-based charity that provides shelter and intensive parenting classes to women like Brandy.  The organization's support includes helping homeless mothers to find jobs. Until now, however, it has not included in-house childcare, a crippling obstacle for many low-income women trying to hold down those jobs.  On Thursday, Casa Teresa and a coalition of partners and supporters opened an infant care center for its high-risk, low-income clientele. The goal: give mothers a safe place to leave their children so that they can find jobs. Unsubsidized childcare can cost from $3,000 to $9,000 a year or more and low-income families, overwhelmingly headed by single mothers, may spend up to 56 percent of their income on child care, according to the Center for Law and Social Policy. Because of the high labor involved, infant care is typically more expensive than other kinds of care – about $12,000 a year, according to Callaghan.  “The cost of living is very difficult in Orange County,” said Lissa Callaghan, executive director of Casa Teresa. “For single moms childcare is a big chunk of their income and housing is the other chunk and then what do they eat?” The 800-square-foot, $200,000 Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center at the First Presbyterian Church of Orange can house up to 12 children between the ages of 2 months and 2 years.  Callaghan said that low-income mothers are often referred to “bottom of the barrel” child care providers, with occasionally unpleasant results.  “Our women would come home and say (about their child care provider) ‘'I think (all she did was) sit in a swing all day.’ Or, ‘she came home with a bruise,’” says Callaghan. “You don't know what's happening … and when you're a working mom at poverty level you don't have any control.” The new infant center has cribs and toys but does not use rockers or swings – “we want people always interacting with the infants, not just sitting them in front of a TV” says Pamela Sailor, a Casa Teresa spokesperson.  Inside the Center, a portion of the wall is devoted to photographs of each child.  “It's beautiful,” says Ford. “I just feel welcome. I feel safe. And they have a schedule going on – that's something I wish I had with when I was young.” Big obstacles Casa Teresa's about 35 residents struggle with the additional psychological burdens of homelessness, addiction and, as in Ford's case, past felonies.  Many employers won't hire felons, Callaghan said. Felons are also not eligible for some social service benefits, such as the “CalWORKS” state welfare programs.  The Casa Teresa infant center charges $1,000 a month per child but much of that money is reimbursed through state programs and grants. Callaghan said the Orange County charity the Children's Home Society might subsidize some or all of Ford's childcare costs.  If not, Ford will pay a nominal fee for child care, yet to be determined, based on her income level.  “They understand you're in a tight squeeze,” Ford said. Ford currently works a minimum wage job at a Togo 's restaurant near the Orange Mall and takes home a monthly salary of about $900.  She must also attend three addiction programs a week, as well as be tested twice a week for drugs.  She must accomplish both work and rehab within the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours of the infant care center. How would Ford pay for childcare without help?  “I wouldn't know,” she says. “I couldn't tell you that.”  Two hundred dollars of her salary goes to Casa Teresa as “rent” – a mostly symbolic contribution to her own rehabilitation, according to Sailor. Ford is also saving to buy a car. She has other ambitions as well: a high school diploma, a college degree in business administration, her own Togo 's franchise one day.  She has less than two years to make a start. Casa Teresa residents may house their children at the center up to the age of two. After that, they are expected to complete their own rehabilitation program, secure stable work, and move out. Despite her low pay and the addiction that perpetually gnaws at her – she is only ten months sober – Ford says she is confident she will succeed, in large part because of a renewed faith in God.  “I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him,” she says. “I'm starting to run his way. Because every time I go my way I end up in hand cuffs.” Infant care What: Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center Where: First Presbyterian Church, 191 N. Olive, Orange  Who: The center, which houses as many as 1 2 children up to 2 years old, is open to residents of Casa Teresa, an Orange-based charity that helps low-income single mothers recovering from homelessness and substance abuse. Cost: The center charges $250 a week; much of that money is reimbursed through state child care programs or grants. Call: 714-538-4860 NAPTIME: Single mom Brandy Ford, 31, rocks her four-month old son Michael Anthony after giving him his bottle. The Casa Teresa resident’s day consisted of two parenting classes, work and a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. MUCH IN COMMON: From left: Brandy Ford, left, picks up her son Michael Anthony, 4 months, and jokes with her best friend Nicole Skipper holding her daughter Destiny, 2 months. The Casa Teresa residents picked up their babies at the Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center in Orange. Orange City News Link

Oct. 14, 2007	The Orange County Register “New Infant Care Center in Orange Helps Low-Income Mothers” By Gwendolyn Driscoll ORANGE – Brandy Ford knows what a bad childhood means.  When she was 5, her parents divorced.  When she was 12, her alcoholic mother offered her a beer.  When she was 15, she gave birth to her first child, a baby girl she gave up for adoption.  “I couldn't cope,” she says. “It was too hard.”  A drug addiction, bad choices and jail – she was arrested 14 times for drug dealing in one year alone – followed. So did another child, a now-11-year-old boy named Anthony Michael who lives with his father's parents. Today, the 34-year-old Ford is a mother again to a five-month-old boy named Michael Anthony – the mirror-image name chosen so that Ford feels “I have both my boys together.”  She says she is determined, she says, to both fight her addiction and provide her newborn with a childhood far different than her own.  It is why, each morning, she walks her baby to a brightly painted building filled with the offspring of women just like her – new mothers on the edge of homelessness, addiction and poverty. Center opening The building is the latest brainchild of Casa Teresa, the Orange-based charity that provides shelter and intensive parenting classes to women like Brandy.  The organization's support includes helping homeless mothers to find jobs. Until now, however, it has not included in-house childcare, a crippling obstacle for many low-income women trying to hold down those jobs.  On Thursday, Casa Teresa and a coalition of partners and supporters opened an infant care center for its high-risk, low-income clientele. The goal: give mothers a safe place to leave their children so that they can find jobs. Unsubsidized childcare can cost from $3,000 to $9,000 a year or more and low-income families, overwhelmingly headed by single mothers, may spend up to 56 percent of their income on child care, according to the Center for Law and Social Policy. Because of the high labor involved, infant care is typically more expensive than other kinds of care – about $12,000 a year, according to Callaghan.  “The cost of living is very difficult in Orange County,” said Lissa Callaghan, executive director of Casa Teresa. “For single moms childcare is a big chunk of their income and housing is the other chunk and then what do they eat?” The 800-square-foot, $200,000 Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center at the First Presbyterian Church of Orange can house up to 12 children between the ages of 2 months and 2 years.  Callaghan said that low-income mothers are often referred to “bottom of the barrel” child care providers, with occasionally unpleasant results.  “Our women would come home and say (about their child care provider) ‘'I think (all she did was) sit in a swing all day.’ Or, ‘she came home with a bruise,’” says Callaghan. “You don't know what's happening … and when you're a working mom at poverty level you don't have any control.” The new infant center has cribs and toys but does not use rockers or swings – “we want people always interacting with the infants, not just sitting them in front of a TV” says Pamela Sailor, a Casa Teresa spokesperson.  Inside the Center, a portion of the wall is devoted to photographs of each child.  “It's beautiful,” says Ford. “I just feel welcome. I feel safe. And they have a schedule going on – that's something I wish I had with when I was young.” Big obstacles Casa Teresa's about 35 residents struggle with the additional psychological burdens of homelessness, addiction and, as in Ford's case, past felonies.  Many employers won't hire felons, Callaghan said. Felons are also not eligible for some social service benefits, such as the “CalWORKS” state welfare programs.  The Casa Teresa infant center charges $1,000 a month per child but much of that money is reimbursed through state programs and grants. Callaghan said the Orange County charity the Children's Home Society might subsidize some or all of Ford's childcare costs.  If not, Ford will pay a nominal fee for child care, yet to be determined, based on her income level.  “They understand you're in a tight squeeze,” Ford said. Ford currently works a minimum wage job at a Togo 's restaurant near the Orange Mall and takes home a monthly salary of about $900.  She must also attend three addiction programs a week, as well as be tested twice a week for drugs.  She must accomplish both work and rehab within the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours of the infant care center. How would Ford pay for childcare without help?  “I wouldn't know,” she says. “I couldn't tell you that.”  Two hundred dollars of her salary goes to Casa Teresa as “rent” – a mostly symbolic contribution to her own rehabilitation, according to Sailor. Ford is also saving to buy a car. She has other ambitions as well: a high school diploma, a college degree in business administration, her own Togo 's franchise one day.  She has less than two years to make a start. Casa Teresa residents may house their children at the center up to the age of two. After that, they are expected to complete their own rehabilitation program, secure stable work, and move out. Despite her low pay and the addiction that perpetually gnaws at her – she is only ten months sober – Ford says she is confident she will succeed, in large part because of a renewed faith in God. “I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him,” she says. “I'm starting to run his way. Because every time I go my way I end up in hand cuffs.” Contact the writer: 714-704-3705 or gdriscoll@ocregister.com For Online Version – Click Here
Oct. 11, 2007	The Orange County Register “New Infant Center Opening This Afternoon; Center in Orange Will Serve Single Mothers” By Gwendolyn Driscoll ORANGE –  Casa Teresa will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for its new infant care center, created to serve high-risk, low-income single mothers enrolled in the Orange-based charity's rehabilitation programs. The 800-square-foot, $200,000 Dorothy Von der Ahe Infant Care Center, housed at the nearby First Presbyterian Church of Orange, will care for up to 12 children between the ages of 2 months and 2 years. Orange Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and actress Christina Fulton will attend the 4 p.m. opening of the center, which was constructed with a $159,000 grant from the Weingart Foundation and individual donations. Casa Teresa officials said the center would support low-income single mothers with affordable childcare so that they could concentrate on job training and employment. "Not only are we helping the moms give birth to a healthy baby we're helping them to raise that baby in a safe and stimulating environment," says Lissa Callaghan, Casa Teresa's executive director. For Online Version – Click Here
Oct. 11, 2007	KDOC-TV – DayBreakOC Morning News Oct. 11, 2007 (GO TO CASA TERESA WEBSITE TO VIEW VIDEO)

Oct. 9, 2007

Foothills Sentry “Casa Teresa benefits from creative fundraising” Casa Teresa, a long-term shelter for homeless pregnant women in Orange, announced that one of its benefactors, Paragon Global Resources of Rancho Santa Margarita, has pledged to raise $17,775, which is the cost to support one woman at Casa Teresa for one year. The company will match employee donations from some unusual sources. For example, an employee can donate $10 to the fund and as a reward can wear jeans for a week. A car wash will be held behind the offices, and the company’s service providers will provide a luncheon for the office, which employees can ‘purchase’ for another donation.  For information about Casa Teresa, contact (714) 538-4860. For Online Version – Click Here

September 14, 2007

LA’s The Place “FULCAGE Clothing Line Launches at the Beverly Center” Lori Wilson FULCAGE clothing is the brainchild of actress/designer Christina Fulton and her son Weston Coppola-Cage.  Launching their couture line at the Premier Men store at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, the mother/son duo will donate the proceeds from FULCAGE to directly support the needs of underprivileged single mothers. Celebrities lending their support to the star-studded evening included Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, Marla Maples, UFC champions Bas Rutten and Royce Gracie, comedian Cedric the Entertainer, Himalayan Yogi Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath, musician Marcus Foy, and actor Dwayne Martin among many others. Attendees were entertained by dancing models in the latest FULCAGE fashions for men and women, refreshments generously donated by Roberto Cavalli Vodka, and an assortment of tasty edible treats catered by Chaya. GenLux Magazine served as one of the evening’s premier sponsors.   For her efforts to help single mothers in need, Christina Fulton has been named the Los Angeles Chairwoman for Casa Teresa’s Celebrity Circle of Friends.  Casa Teresa is a non-profit organization that provides temporary home and on-going support for pregnant women 18 years and older.  To further her support of Casa Teresa, Fulton will debut the FULCAGE line in Orange County with a special fundraising event at Melrose Place in Laguna Beach on October 30. The FULCAGE clothing line includes couture for women and men, t-shirts, onesies, dogwear, and decorative mugs. FULCAGE clothing features unique designs with bold and original artwork that is on the cutting edge of fashion. Fulton’s original designs are hand-cut, hand-sewn and made in America . FULCAGE is a charitable organization that gives back to the community. The proceeds from its clothing line go directly to single mothers via Christina’s, Single Mom Foundation, contributing to the housing, education and careers of single parents.  Celebrity supporter of the foundation include Maria Maples, Tiffany Trump, Shar Jackson, Erica Rose and Nicolas Cage. For more information on Christina Fulton’s Single Mom Foundation please go to www.singlemomfoundation.net. www.FULCAGE.com For Online Version – Click Here

August 2007

The Orange County Catholic By Elisabeth Defner When St. Norbert parishioner Michelle Baehner, 12, learned that her cat Oliver was missing, she prayed to God to help her family find the feline – and promised to give all her money to a good cause in gratitude for a prayer answered.  At 3 a.m., Oliver showed up –and Michelle was as good as her word.  She sent $9 to Casa Teresa, a shelter for pregnant women.  Here Baehner, right, receives a certificate of gratitude from Casa Teresa Program Manager, Katie Dever, left and Executive Director Lissa Callaghan.  For Online Version – Click Here

August 14, 2007

The Orange County Register “Girl Donates Life Savings; Thankful for Her Cat’s Return, She Empties Her Piggy Bank” By Erin Welch When Michelle lost her cat, Oliver, she promised to donate all of her money to a good cause if her black-and-white friend came back.  When Oliver returned, Michelle kept to her word and gave $9 from her piggy bank to Casa Teresa, a nonprofit organization for pregnant women.  “Michelle is a giver by heart,” said Michelle’s mother, Helen Baehner. Recently, Michelle received a commendation from Orange City Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and the “Making a Difference” award from Casa Teresa for her donation.  “She’s quite the go-getter,” Cavecche said. “She was so sweet,” Casa Teresa Executive Director Lissa Callaghan said. “When a little girl reaches out, it means a lot.  After visiting Casa Teresa, Michelle decided she wants to work there when she grows up. Q. Why did you decide to give your money to Casa Teresa? A. I thought it was a great cause for women and it was great that the women choose not to abort their baby. I’ve known about it since I was little. For my birthday one year, my friends gave me baby clothes instead of gifts and I gave the clothes to Casa Teresa. When I was little, my mom gave them my baby crib and she told be about it. I thought it was great. Q. Why do you want to work for Casa Teresa when you grow up? A. I don’t know.  I’ve always been trying to figure out what kind of job I want in the future. When I went down there and met with [Casa Teresa staff member] Pamela and she said every time she wakes up in the morning she says, “I love my job” and she can’t wait to go to work. I don’t know why it just hit me, but it seems like a great place to work someday. Q. How has your family influenced you in your decision to be involved with charity? A. They’re a great Christian family and they’ve supported me with everything. They’ve taught me everything I need to know. I’m glad to have parents like them and my brother. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. I’m just a normal person in a normal in world. Contact the Writer: 714-704-3738 or ewelch@ocregister.com

August 9, 2007

The Orange City News “Girl Keeps Promise, gives $9 to Charity; Michelle Baehner Empties Piggy Bank After Her Lost Cat Returns” By Erin Welch When Michelle lost her cat, Oliver, she promised to donate all of her money to a good cause if her black-and-white friend came back.  When Oliver returned, Michelle kept to her word and gave $9 from her piggy bank to Casa Teresa, a nonprofit organization for pregnant women.  “Michelle is a giver by heart,” said Michelle’s mother, Helen Baehner. On July 30, Michelle received a commendation from Orange City Mayor Carolyn Cavecche and the “Making a Difference” award from Casa Teresa for her donation.  “She’s quite the go-getter,” Cavecche said. “She was so sweet,” Casa Teresa Executive Director Lissa Callaghan said. “When a little girl reaches out, it means a lot.  After visiting Casa Teresa, Michelle decided she wants to work there when she grows up. Q. Why did you decide to give your money to Casa Teresa? A. I thought it was a great cause for women and it was great that the women choose not to abort their baby. I’ve known about it since I was little. For my birthday one year, my friends gave me baby clothes instead of gifts and I gave the clothes to Casa Teresa. When I was little, my mom gave them my baby crib and she told be about it. I thought it was great. Q. Why do you want to work for Casa Teresa when you grow up? A. I don’t know.  I’ve always been trying to figure out what kind of job I want in the future. When I went down there and met with [Casa Teresa staff member] Pamela and she said every time she wakes up in the morning she says, “I love my job” and she can’t wait to go to work. I don’t know why it just hit me, but it seems like a great place to work someday. Q. How has your family influenced you in your decision to be involved with charity? A. They’re a great Christian family and they’ve supported me with everything. They’ve taught me everything I need to know. I’m glad to have parents like them and my brother. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. I’m just a normal person in a normal in world. Contact the Writer: 714-704-3738 or ewelch@ocregister.com Click Here For Link to The Orange City News

August 6, 2007

The Orange County Register “Seven FV Girl Scouts Earn Gold Award; Projects included Activities for Seniors, Musicians and Single Mothers” By Danielle Glazer Seven Fountain Valley girl scouts received the Girl Scout Gold Award this year for their work. To receive the award, each Girl Scout had to complete a Gold Award project and 30 hours of using their leadership skills to earn the Girl Scout Gold Leadership Award. Brittany Louise De Bella planned the children's section of the Fountain Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2006. The ceremony featured holiday refreshments, live entertainment, games, crafts, photos with Santa, writing letters to Santa and train rides. More than 200 people attended the event. Kelly Kraus organized the music for the Kingdom Seekers Youth Choir. She helped fill the choir folders with music before rehearsal every week and held a concert at the end of the year.  "I chose this project because I love music and working with people. This allowed me to do both," Kraus wrote. Jennifer Susan Pryor held a craft workshop for 50 senior citizens. She taught them how to sew blankets, pillows, Hershey kiss tulips and flower pens.  Pryor trained 15 volunteers to assist her at the workshop. She donated 600 Valentine's Day favors for three different senior citizen facilities for their Valentine's Day luncheons. Ashley Tara Serota ran the entertainment section of the Garden Grove Relay for Life. She organized games and activities to help spread awareness on cancer and how to prevent it. Hilary Rose Serota planned a ceremony for the Garden Grove Relay for Life event for the American Cancer Society.  "I saw how many people and their families suffered from cancer," Serota wrote. "I wanted to create a ceremony to remember and honor these heroic people." Heather Nicole Talley organized a baby shower for 12 single pregnant women who were part of the Casa Teresa program for single mothers-to-be. The shower included a buffet and gifts for the expecting mothers. Rebecka Barbara Webb produced a play called "Hairum Scarum." She trained a junior troop to help her run the show. Contact the writer: 714-445-6681 or dglazer@ocregister.com For Online Version – Click Here

July 11, 2007

KNBC – Channel 4 – News 5 “Giving Thanks” By Vikki Vargas ORANGE, Calif. – [Colleen Williams] “The return of a missing, pet cat was the answer to the prayers of a little girl in Orange County.  Because of that she made good on a pledge to do a good deed.  Channel 4’s Vikki Vargas is live in the city of Orange now to explain all of this for us.” [Vikki Vargas] “And Colleen, we’re outside of Casa Teresa.  It’s a shelter for unwed mothers and the organizers say they do get a lot of anonymous donations; some big, some small and in their words, every one of them makes a difference. “It was the tone of the handwritten letter that caught someone’s eye.  How the author had just $9.00 to donate but was willing to get it all away because her cat, Oliver, had come home.  In the eyes of this eleven-year-old girl, her prayers had been answered.” [Michelle Baehner] “Please let him come back, because we already lost one cat and I don’t think I could handle another one.” [Vikki Vargas] “Michelle Baehner made a pact with God that night.  If Oliver returned, she would give away every penny in her piggy bank.  About 3:00am her prayer was answered.” [Michelle Baehner] “‘Meow.  Meow!’  You hear a little Oliver at the screen door.  So my dad, I was still sleeping, woke my brother and he told him the cat was home.” [Vikki Vargas] “Anaheim Hills girl made good on her promise, and sent the money to the director of Casa Teresa, Lissa Callaghan.  The organization works with unwed mothers to get them back on their feet.  It was easily enough money to buy a box of diapers.” [Lissa Callaghan, Executive Director] “Every time the mothers see a donation come in, it means ‘somebody cares about me’ and that means a lot to them.” [Vikki Vargas] “The black and white feline named Oliver is about to get a collar and an earlier bed time.  Michelle says he is worth her entire savings.” [Michelle Baehner] “I was probably going to buy an animal book with [the money] but not really.  It was just sitting there, and so I thought ‘Ok God, here it goes.’” [Vikki Vargas] “And believe it or not, even though Michelle wanted Oliver back, she is allergic to cats but she wanted him none the less.  And the folks here, at Casa Teresa, say they plan to give her an award and they are going to call that award “Making a Difference.”  Live in Orange, I’m Vikki Vargas, Channel 4 News.”

July 11, 2007

KNBC – Channel 4 – Blog “Notes From the OC: Viewer Email Creates Story For Broadcast” By Vikki Vargas ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. -- Sometimes our best stories just fall into our laps...or in this case into our email boxes. I get a handful of story ideas from viewers daily. Some are worth holding on to for a rainy day; others get the delete button treatment immediately. I don't remember meeting the woman who sent me this email (staff member from Casa Teresa), but thanks to her we have a wonderful story for our news. It's about a young girl who prayed her cat would come back and when he did, she gave her savings to a local shelter for unwed mothers (Casa Teresa). I suspect with a major bus strike, and planes appearing to fall from the sky, this one might not make the usual headlines. But timing has a lot to do with our decision process. This was one of those rainy days... For Online Version – Click Here

July 2007

Newport Beach [714] “Happening: Casa Teresa” The Founders Guild of Casa Teresa recently held their Spring Luncheon.  Guests attending the event brought baby gifts for the Casa Teresa babies, as well as non-baby items for the women at “Hannah’s House.”  Featured speaker Lissa Callaghan, executive director for Casa Teresa and Frances Carrillo, the past resident and senior house mother presented “Changing Lives for the Better.” http://www.newportbeach714.com/

July 2007

Orange County Catholic “28^th Annual Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $60,000 Left: Casa Teresa founders Neill and Sally Sullivan. Right: Casa Teresa resident, Nicole 9 months pregnant. for Pregnant Women’s Shelter” By Elisabeth Defner On June 4, Casa Teresa—a non profit organization that provides a temporary home and on going support for pregnant women 18 years and older—hosted its 28th Annual Golf Tournament, an all-day event that included a silent auction, 50-50 raffle, awards dinner, and of course golfing. The event raised an estimated $58,000 for Casa Teresa.  “After 28 years, I continue to be amazed and thankful for all the support we receive for our moms and babies through our annual golf tournament,” said Executive Director Lissa Callaghan. For the past 30 years, more than 2,250 pregnant women have found shelter at Casa Teresa.  Counseling and educational programs prepare these women to make loving and informed life decisions for themselves and their babies.  Casa Teresa offers three separate residential programs: The Parenting Program, the Adoption Program “Hannah’s House,” and the Transition Program (Phase I and Phase II) for single mothers. The Casa Teresa experience is transformational, offering women with no means of support the opportunity to become self-sufficient and independent. Orange County Catholic Link

June 15, 2007

The Daily Pilot “Junior League of Orange County Names President” By Jessie Brunner After serving nine years as a dedicated member of the Newport Beach-based Junior League of Orange County, Stacey Kinney of San Juan Capistrano was named president at a recent board meeting, and Kelly Northridge of Newport Beach will now serve as vice president. The 2007-2008 board of directors will also include Carla Dillon of Costa Mesa and Isabelle Ord and Jennifer Martin of Newport Beach.  The nonprofit consists of about 750 women who volunteer to nurture a healthier and safer community while promoting volunteerism. Funds raised annually benefit numerous charitable projects, including Casa Teresa and Girls Inc. For Online Version – Click Here

May 17, 2007

The Orange County Register – Blog – See O.C. “Pirating a Nap” By Jebb Harris Her baby carrier boldly upholstered with a skull and bones motif didn’t keep three-month-old Justice Stanley from a peaceful nap. She and mother Amber Stanley were attending a picnic at Casa Teresa Home in Orange. I was covering the event as a daily assignment, but couldn’t resist the contrast between the angelic sweetness and stark Jolly Roger. Perhaps mom wanted to inoculate her early in life against scary things. For Online Version – Click Here

May 17, 2007

The Orange City News “Together Once More; Mothers, Daughters Reconnect Sunday at Casa Teresa, a Shelter for Single Moms in Orange” By Serena Maria Daniels ORANGE – Linda Skipper, 53, described this Mother’s Day as miraculous.  She dug into a plate of lasagna with her daughter, Nicole Ebeling, 29, who is about to give birth to a daughter, and tearfully explained Ebeling’s transformation. Ebeling and Skipper were among more than 40 other women who joined for lunch Sunday at Casa Teresa to reconnect and enjoy the company of their newly formed families at the shelter.  “It was a Nicole I hadn’t seen in a long time,” Skipper said of her daughter, who arrived at Casa Teresa a month ago. Expectant mothers like Ebeling, often with nowhere else to go, live at the transitional housing program while attending life skills classes or working. They learn how to balance a checkbook, prepare healthy meals and keep a clean house. Donors Lou and Diana Oddo hosted the first-ever Mother’s Day luncheon at Casa Teresa so those without family to visit would not feel alone on the holiday.  “At one time, I was a young mother,” said Diana Oddo, 58. “Luckily, I had my mom and dad, but some of these young mothers don’t have anyone to turn to.” The Oddos donated money and furniture for one of the apartments, where women who are in the program’s long-term transitional housing program can have a more private home environment when their baby arrives. Ebeling said the move into the program has helped her rebuild her relationship with her mom.  “There was no relationship before,” Ebeling said of the years in which she struggled with drug addiction.  “Now, it’s a complete 360,” she said. For more information on the programs at Casa Teresa or to find out how to volunteer, go to www.casateresa.com.

May 14, 2007

The Orange County Register “Together Once More; Mothers, Daughters Reconnect Sunday at Casa Teresa, a Shelter for Single Moms in Orange” By Serena Maria Daniels ORANGE – Linda Skipper, 53, described this Mother’s Day as miraculous.  She dug into a plate of lasagna with her daughter, Nicole Ebeling, 29, who is about to give birth to a daughter, and tearfully explained Ebeling’s transformation. Ebeling and Skipper were among more than 40 other women who joined for lunch Sunday at Casa Teresa to reconnect and enjoy the company of their newly formed families at the shelter.  “It was a Nicole I hadn’t seen in a long time,” Skipper said of her daughter, who arrived at Casa Teresa a month ago. Expectant mothers like Ebeling, often with nowhere else to go, live at the transitional housing program while attending life skills classes or working. They learn how to balance a checkbook, prepare healthy meals and keep a clean house. Donors Lou and Diana Oddo hosted the first-ever Mother’s Day luncheon at Casa Teresa so those without family to visit would not feel alone on the holiday.  “At one time, I was a young mother,” said Diana Oddo, 58. “Luckily, I had my mom and dad, but some of these young mothers don’t have anyone to turn to.” The Oddos donated money and furniture for one of the apartments, where women who are in the program’s long-term transitional housing program can have a more private home environment when their baby arrives. Ebeling said the move into the program has helped her rebuild her relationship with her mom.  “There was no relationship before,” Ebeling said of the years in which she struggled with drug addiction.  “Now, it’s a complete 360,” she said. For more information on the programs at Casa Teresa or to find out how to volunteer, go to www.casateresa.com. For Online Version – Click Here

May 1, 2007

The Orange County Register “Local Elk Lodge Donates to Charities” By Courtney Bacalso The Orange Elks Lodge No. 1475, 211 E. Chapman Ave., donated $4,500 to nine local charities.  The nine groups each received $500. They include: Battered Women’s Transitional Living Center, Pediatric Dialysis for Kids at St. Joseph Hospital, CHOC Foundation for Children to benefit children with cancer, Casa Teresa Home, temporary home for single and pregnant women, House of Hope Rescue Mission, Eli House, a refuge for victims of domestic abuse, Ronald Mc Donald House, which provides a home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at local hospitals, Beverly House Fun, center against domestic violence, Discovery Arts, bringing arts to children with cancer and serious blood disorders. Information: www.elks1475.org or 714-538-1475.

March 1, 2007

Newport Beach [714] Magazine ‘“Home with a Heart’ Recognition Dinner at Bowers Museum” By Martha Green Because of his 29 years of loving service and dedication to single mothers and babies at Casa Teresa, Dr. James Pugh, clinical Physiologist for Casa Teresa, was honored with a Lifetime Dedication Award. The 2nd Annual Recognition Dinner, “Home with a Heart,” was held at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in the new Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing and chaired by Board Member Barbara Roppolo. Prior to the dinner, Casa Teresa’s sponsors and donors attended a VIP cocktail reception and a pre-event viewing of the two newest exhibits, “Ansel Adams: Classic Images,” and the “Treasures from Shangai: 5000 Years of Art and Culture.” Lisa Callaghan, executive director for Casa Teresa thanked and acknowledged her committee which included Patricia Carson, Mary Frome (Casa Teresa Guilds Founder), Leann Marienthal, Pat Morabito, Pamela Sailor (Marketing and Special Events Manager), Jennie Thomas, Katie Dever (Casa Teresa Managing Director), and Josie Traino. A City of Orange Proclamation and a stunning Lladro sculpture, “The Cradle of Life,” were presented to Dr. Pugh by Casa Teresa Board President Keith Eyrich. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Tangata, part of the Patina Restaurant Group, with live music from Kobayashi Entertainment and a special surprise performance by Eric Marienthal, a world-renowned saxophonist with a fabulous rendition of the “Days of Wine and Roses.” www.newportbeach714.com

Feb. 27, 2007

The Orange County Register “2^nd Annual Recognition Dinner Honoring Dr. James Pugh” By Donna Bunce “Casa Teresa is a magical place, and tonight we’re honoring the magician,” said board member and event chairwoman Barbara Roppolo.  The magician is Dr. James Pugh, the honoree Saturday night at Casa Teresa’s “Home with a Heart” recognition dinner, for his 29 years of loving service to single mothers and babies. Casa Teresa’s executive director, Lissa Callaghan, said of its clinical physiologist: “Dr. Pugh has been an inspiration to us all, never tiring of his work to improve the lives of our residents, even making himself available for calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are pleased to award him our Lifetime Dedication Award.” Board president Keith Eyrich presented Pugh a City of Orange Proclamation as well as a beautiful Lladro “The Cradle of Life” sculpture. After a moving video of Pugh’s work, he said, “We’re talking about young women who are pregnant with nowhere to go. You never shut the door or turn away. You just love them.” Held at Bowers Museum in its new Dorothy and Donald Kennedy Wing, the evening event drew 220 guests and included a tempting silent auction followed by a delicious three-course dinner catered by the Patina Restaurant Group. World-class jazz saxophonist Eric Marienthal joined the Baba Elefante Trio in a surprise performance of “The Days of Wine & Roses” in tribute to Pugh, who is a jazz lover and friend. The live auction, energetically orchestrated by auctioneer Dawn Marie Kotsonis, saw Roppolo’s table guests win six of the 10 auction items. Among them, a Las Vegas getaway went to Penny Skow; a Fashion Island offering with hotel, dinner and shopping certificates to Carol and John McDermott; a Chicago weekend went to Anne and Dave Mudgett, and another weekend to Linda and Roger Chaix; dinner for eight in your home by L’Opera Ristorante to the Mudgetts and Rick Loesel; a Newport Harbor cocktail cruise for eight to Isabelle Villasenor; and finally, an adorable pedigreed Shih Tzu puppy to the Mudgetts, who promptly gave it to Pamela Sailor, Casa Teresa’s marketing and special event manager. “She just loves the puppy, and we want her to have it,” Anne said. Skow, who won the Vegas trip, also won the “50-50” cash drawing, which generated $1,500, or $750 to her. “I’m on a roll and leaving for Vegas tonight!” she exclaimed. Another surprise came when Bill Teachout, representing the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, which is providing space for an infant child-care center for the children of Casa Teresa, gave Callaghan an autographed hard hat to visit the construction site. Ropollo acknowledged her committee, which included Patricia Carson, Leann Marienthal (Eric’s wife), Mary Frome (CT Guilds’’ founder), Lori Frome, Pat Morabito, Jennie Thomas, Josie Traino, CT managing director Katie Dever and Sailor. The $90,000 net proceeds will benefit the Orange-based nonprofit’s three residential programs: the Parenting Program, the Adoption Program called Hannah’s House, and the Transition Program for Single Mothers. For Online Version – Click Here

December 2006

Orange Coast Magazine “The Givers; Here are Five Women Who Work the Front Lines of Charity From Behind the Scenes” By Dawn Pettit & Photography By Jason Wallis Whether it’s answering a phone call, planning an upcoming event or lending a ride, these individuals dedicate their time and energy to serving others throughout Orange County.  They may not be front and center at a gala fund-raiser, but they are integral to the success of the organizations they volunteer with.  During this season of giving, we honor them for their infectious spirit and brave efforts to give back to the community. Marguerite Di Stanislao: Since 1999, Marguerite Di Stanislao has helped many pregnant and homeless young women in the parenting and adoption programs at Casa Teresa, a safe home in Orange.  “I have been blessed with a good and plentiful life, and felt the need to give back to the community my talents to help others,” says the retired administrative assistant.  Di Stanislao credits her daughter, Carol, who was president of the agency’s Founders Guild, for encouraging her to join Casa Teresa.  “Volunteering and being part of the guild has blessed me with many long-lasting friends,” she adds.  Each week, the Newport Beach resident screens incoming calls at the Casa Teresa office, some of which are from women who need immediate assistance.  She also plans upcoming projects with the director of volunteers, and in some cases drives the women to their doctor’s appointments.  “The greatest joy comes from the progress of the women, who have gone through the program and will make better lives for themselves and their babies,” says Di Stanislao, who dedicates 350 hours each year to Casa Teresa.  She hopes that sharing her personal experience will encourage others to volunteer.  “What greater gift can we give but [to give] of ourselves?” www.orangecoastmagazine.com