By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Problems force couple into poverty

SUPERIOR -- Last month, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development launched a new national awareness campaign that references the nearly 36 million poor Americans. To bring these struggles to the forefront, CCHD tabbed January as Poverty Awareness Month. In observance of this month and to learn firsthand about the plight of the less fortunate, Tricia Duhaime, grant specialist for the diocesan office of CCHD, visited with a poor couple in their Superior home. Out of respect, the Catholic Herald agreed not to reveal their identity.

When Barb and Brad were married 15 years ago they had many hopes and dreams. "We had normal little problems, but life was good," Barb said.

Since October 2004, these hopes and dreams have turned to many tears and nightmares. Helping put a damper on their happiness are an ever increasing list of health problems and skyrocketing medical costs associated with their individual list of debilitating illnesses.

Brad suffers from emphysema and diabetes and Barb is in constant pain from arthritis and bursitis.

Despite his illnesses, "Brad went to work until recently because we had nothing," Barb said. "I've been waiting for (Social Security) disability for a few years and I am still waiting for a hearing date."

Brad's medicines and treatments are over $100 a month and Barb takes eight prescribed medicines daily that cost another $100 a month. Unable to work, the couple is also hard-pressed to make a $350 monthly rental payment on their mobile home.

They did mention that one utility company has been patient in working out payment options. "But we still owe them over $2,000," Barb said.

Being in the midst of the winter months, Barb and Brad have had to maintain a supply of propane gas, estimated at $480 for a full tank. Facing these and other bills, Barb said she takes life one day at a time.

"That's all I can do or otherwise I would go crazy," she said.

In these trying times, Barb admitted doing a lot of praying to God. "There are some days where I just sit and cry," she said.

Even though they are struggling financially, Barb realizes there are others who who are also poor. "It's not just us," she said.

For those living in most rural parts of the Superior diocese, Duhaime said, noticing poverty is harder than if they were in a metropolitan area.

"In northern Wisconsin, we don't necessarily see it (poverty) when we are driving down the street," she said. "There are families living in the country with no running water and they still use outhouses. Poverty is often hidden in this neck of the woods and it's easy to not see it."

Wisconsin's poverty rate increased by .9 percent during 2003, the latest figures available. According to data provided by Wisconsin's Council on Children and Families, the state's poverty rate in 2003, for those 18 years old and over, was 9.2 percent.

"Our poverty rates are going up, instead of going down," Duhaime said.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is one group that offers assistance to those in need. During their 2003-04 fiscal year, the society in Superior connected with 293 individuals or families requesting assistance.

Barb and Brad are just one couple that has been aided by Superior's St. Vincent group. Barb praised their generosity. "They have been a godsend from day one," she said. "They have done so much. Including bringing us food, paid our rent and for meds."

During the year, the group distributed over $23,000 for assistance with rent, utility bills, food, gas and other miscellaneous needs.

"Our local conference will try to meet a person's immediate needs, whether it be material, emotional or spiritual," said Sr. Rita Schneider, SSND, president of the Superior conference.

Since they have no thrift store, most funds come from donations.

In its fight against poverty in Merrill, St. Vincent de Paul offers a weekly free medical clinic. Since opening last year, over 150 people have received care, said Denis McCarthy, conference president.

"We have a number of local medical staff that volunteer," McCarthy said. "It's been used and given people an opportunity to seek medical assistance that they wouldn't have otherwise."

Proceeds from its thrift store fund conference aid to the poor in Merrill. "Without our store our conference wouldn't be able to do much," McCarthy said. "We help anybody and feel if there is a need, we try to meet it."

Last year in Merrill, the society assisted some 250 clients, in the estimated amount of $42,181. The aid was given toward rent, food, utilities and medications. They also gave out vouchers for purchases from the thrift store.

Unlike St. Vincent's, CCHD is a "hand up" organization that assists the poor indirectly, through local self-help organizations. In the diocese, a collection in support of CCHD is taken each June.

Organizations can apply for grants. "Those organizations, seeking the grants, work with the poor," Duhaime said.

Comunidad Hispana is one program implemented in the diocese with the assistance of a CCHD grant. The grass roots effort was first initiated by the Holy Cross Sisters in Merrill and is now a self-sufficient outreach to the Hispanic and Latino population in this area.

Since it inception, the CCHD campaign has provided seed money to train leaders in the community for projects that are initiated and led by low-income people themselves. Over the years, CCHD has offered a total of $270 million to more than 4,000 such projects. During this current year, the campaign is supporting 330 local projects in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands .

Established in 1970 by the U.S. Catholic Bishops, the CCHD is one of the largest private funders of self-help programs initiated and led by poor people in the United States. Committed to the permanent elimination of poverty and injustice in the U.S., CCHD has supported more than 4,000 programs nationwide that know no racial or religious boundaries -- projects that help create jobs, improve neighborhoods and allow people to find a way out of poverty not just for a day, but a lifetime.

St. Vincent de Paul to receive funds collected at dedication

SUPERIOR -- The collection taken up during the Cathedral of Christ the King Dedication Mass totaled about $2,200. The money will go to the St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart of Jesus Conference in Superior.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005