Houston New Media

Mollie Washington, 77, feels good about her participation 13 years as a volunteer in the Senior Companions program, saying it has helped her feel energetic and even improved her health.

For that, she is grateful and she gives God all the praise and honor, thanking Him for enabling her to do what she does.

Mollie learned about the program shortly after she retired and asked her daughter to help her find “something to do,” because she knew she would deteriorate if she stayed home and watched television.

Mollie rarely misses a day of her volunteer commitment. When she does, she can’t wait to get back to doing what she loves: being a companion for “Miss Miller” sitting with her; reading the Bible to her; fixing breakfast for her; and even helping her with bathing.

On a recent “day off,” Mollie received a call from “Miss Miller,” saying she was lonesome. Mollie assured her someone else would be there with her, but she replied, “I don’t care who comes, I want to see you.”

Mollie is grateful to have a reason to get out of the house every day. She had triple bypass surgery seven years ago and back surgery four years ago. After each one, she asked her doctors, “When can I go back to volunteering?”

As soon as she was given permission to resume her normal activities, she was back. Not even arthritis and having to walk with a cane could keep her away.

Most of all, she is grateful that she has the opportunity to meet people, often becoming like family to those who have no one else to care for them.

Mollie Washington, 77, feels good about her participation 13 years as a volunteer in the Senior Companions program, saying it has helped her feel energetic and even improved her health.

For that, she is grateful and she gives God all the praise and honor, thanking Him for enabling her to do what she does.

Mollie learned about the program shortly after she retired and asked her daughter to help her find “something to do,” because she knew she would deteriorate if she stayed home and watched television.

Mollie rarely misses a day of her volunteer commitment. When she does, she can’t wait to get back to doing what she loves: being a companion for “Miss Miller” sitting with her; reading the Bible to her; fixing breakfast for her; and even helping her with bathing.

On a recent “day off,” Mollie received a call from “Miss Miller,” saying she was lonesome. Mollie assured her someone else would be there with her, but she replied, “I don’t care who comes, I want to see you.”

Mollie is grateful to have a reason to get out of the house every day. She had triple bypass surgery seven years ago and back surgery four years ago. After each one, she asked her doctors, “When can I go back to volunteering?”

As soon as she was given permission to resume her normal activities, she was back. Not even arthritis and having to walk with a cane could keep her away.

Most of all, she is grateful that she has the opportunity to meet people, often becoming like family to those who have no one else to care for them.

Mollie Washington, 77, feels good about her participation 13 years as a volunteer in the Senior Companions program, saying it has helped her feel energetic and even improved her health.

For that, she is grateful and she gives God all the praise and honor, thanking Him for enabling her to do what she does.

Mollie learned about the program shortly after she retired and asked her daughter to help her find “something to do,” because she knew she would deteriorate if she stayed home and watched television.

Mollie rarely misses a day of her volunteer commitment. When she does, she can’t wait to get back to doing what she loves: being a companion for “Miss Miller” sitting with her; reading the Bible to her; fixing breakfast for her; and even helping her with bathing.

On a recent “day off,” Mollie received a call from “Miss Miller,” saying she was lonesome. Mollie assured her someone else would be there with her, but she replied, “I don’t care who comes, I want to see you.”

Mollie is grateful to have a reason to get out of the house every day. She had triple bypass surgery seven years ago and back surgery four years ago. After each one, she asked her doctors, “When can I go back to volunteering?”

As soon as she was given permission to resume her normal activities, she was back. Not even arthritis and having to walk with a cane could keep her away.

Most of all, she is grateful that she has the opportunity to meet people, often becoming like family to those who have no one else to care for them.

Esperanza, 45, suffered decades of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of a violent husband who took every opportunity to insult, humiliate and control her.

Her husband often beat her and intimidated her with weapons and threatened to use them to kill her and her five children.

On a few occasions, Esperanza attempted to escape. However, he always found her and told her that he would have her deported, never allowing her to see her children again.

With the help of her employer, Esperanza came to Catholic Charities to find out if she might be eligible for citizenship. The staff of Catholic Charities’ Cabrini Center for Legal Assistance began reviewing her case while also referring her to a Catholic Charities’ family counselor.

After intensive counseling, Esperanza was finally able to tell her story. She explained to the Cabrini staff that before she met her husband, she already had a son due to a sexual assault in her own country.

After learning about the long history of abuse the staff decided to file a petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In cases of abuse, VAWA protects undocumented victims of domestic violence who are terrorized by their husbands or partners.

A couple of months after submitting her petition, Esperanza received her first legal document – her employment authorization card.

Soon after, she received a social security card and drivers’ license and quickly got a second job.

Esperanza was scheduled for her final interview to determine residency. Although she was extremely nervous, she responded to all of the questions.

When the interview was over, the immigration officer told her that her case was granted and she was now a legal permanent resident of the United States. Without saying a word, and with tears in her eyes, she embraced her caseworker.

Esperanza takes pride in the fact that she can now survive on her own and provide for her children.

Esperanza, 45, suffered decades of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of a violent husband who took every opportunity to insult, humiliate and control her.

Her husband often beat her and intimidated her with weapons and threatened to use them to kill her and her five children.

On a few occasions, Esperanza attempted to escape. However, he always found her and told her that he would have her deported, never allowing her to see her children again.

With the help of her employer, Esperanza came to Catholic Charities to find out if she might be eligible for citizenship. The staff of Catholic Charities’ Cabrini Center for Legal Assistance began reviewing her case while also referring her to a Catholic Charities’ family counselor.

After intensive counseling, Esperanza was finally able to tell her story. She explained to the Cabrini staff that before she met her husband, she already had a son due to a sexual assault in her own country.

After learning about the long history of abuse the staff decided to file a petition under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In cases of abuse, VAWA protects undocumented victims of domestic violence who are terrorized by their husbands or partners.

A couple of months after submitting her petition, Esperanza received her first legal document – her employment authorization card.

Soon after, she received a social security card and drivers’ license and quickly got a second job.

Esperanza was scheduled for her final interview to determine residency. Although she was extremely nervous, she responded to all of the questions.

When the interview was over, the immigration officer told her that her case was granted and she was now a legal permanent resident of the United States. Without saying a word, and with tears in her eyes, she embraced her caseworker.

Esperanza takes pride in the fact that she can now survive on her own and provide for her children.

Trini Mendenhall Sosa has always believed that success comes from unity – that when people join together in support of a common goal, they will invariably accomplish more.

She views her relationship with Catholic Charities the same way.

From her first personal experience of the agency, through an invitation from then-Archbishop Fiorenza to attend an event, to her current experience as the first individual woman slated to receive the prestigious Msgr. John J. Roach Award at the 2008 Spirit of Charity Gala, Trini has always considered it an honor to be involved with the many people who bring the mission of Catholic Charities to life.

“There’s so much love at Catholic Charities,” says Trini. It resonates throughout the building – from social workers, the lawyers, all the staff. You can feel it. People in need can feel that warmth when they come in and ask for help.”

Trini has done so much to contribute to that feeling of love.

Through her many hours of volunteer service, including time as the Chair of the Board of Directors and the co-founder of the Caritas Circle Giving Society, Trini has given of her time, talent and treasure in service to Catholic Charities’ mission of providing help and creating hope for all those in need.

The 2008 gala, Noche de Serenata, will take place on May 3, 2008 at the InterContinental Hotel. Trini is pleased that the event will feature a Latino influence: “It’s a wonderful way to showcase the diversity of the people we serve.”