OCR Text |
Show Monday. May 13, 1991 The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Eight St. Vincent de Pay) Center helps commynity All this is very important because the center By Dave Macfarlane Chronicle Feature Writer Nearly five years ago the St. Vincent De Paul Center, "Salt Lake's soup kitchen," was located on the west side of the city near 300 S. 400 West. At that time the center was staying afloat while providing food, clothing and services to the needy, but operating in a building and with a budget that were in less than satisfactory condition. Then a wonderful thing happened. A fire broke out and burned the old center to the ground. That may sound a little funny, but often a real tragedy can motivate people to help others in need. Such has been the case with the St. Vincent De Paul Center. "I look at it the fire as being an act of God. It destroyed a place that was really pretty decrepit," Ann Bero, administrative assistant for the center, said. "The community just came to our need and we built this facility, which is really a very lovely facility." The community responded quickly after the fire, Bero said, moving the St. Vincent De Paul operation temporarily into the Mexican Civic Center so that none of the meals served to the needy were missed. Work began on a new center in its current location at 437 W. 200 South, with people donating much of the time, materials and professional labor needed and soon a new St. Vincent De Paul Center sprang up on the west side. In cases of tragedy, such as the fire, people often jump to aid in the initial rebuilding process but lose interest in helping after this is done. However, that didn't happen with the center. "It was through that effort of the community following the fire I think that we have built up our volunteer program," Bero said. "We have about 50 volunteer groups that come in. They come from just about every segment of the population. We've got the Japanese Church of Christ, Lutheran Churches, Episcopal Churches, LDS Communications, numerous Catholic Churches and the Bennion Center. Pretty good r e high the last Friday of June, but we hit an March of 674 clients. The sad, heartbreaking thing is the number of women and children that we see." These women and children are exactly the focus of a fund raiser that is upcoming at the St. Vincent De Paul Center. A benefit luncheon and fashion show will be held at the center on Saturday, May 18. The cost of the meal is $10 with the money going to the center generally, but specifically towards the purchase of new nighchairs for the many small children that eat there on a daily basis. "Last year's event was a real success," Claudia Nakano, publicity coordinator of the luncheon, said of last year's inaugural benefit. "We would like to involve more of the community this year. Everyone is invited, anyone who wishes to come down. A lot of people who can't make it are donating the $10, so people are more than welcome to do that, too." Bero feels that in the five years since the old center burned down, the new St. Vincent De Paul Center has all-tim- coverage." basically exists on the help of volunteers. What money paying a few employees. The they have goes toward mid-day meal five days a week to a serve food they use is donated, as is much of the labor to prepare the meals. But it is donations of more than just food that make St. Vincent De Paul a community center, not just a soup kitchen. "There are many programs that are carried on here," Bero said. This means that the center self-sufficien- exists not only to feed the needy that live in the homeless shelter and in low income housing nearby, but also to try and help people get back on their feet "We have upwards of 600 to 700 people " that are coming now daily, Ann Bero, administrative assistant for the St. Vincent de Paul Center, said, "...we hit e an high the last Friday of March of 674 clients. The sad heartbreaking thing is the number of women and children that we see." become much more well known and has benefited all-tim- and take care of themselves. Included in these services are programs in drug and alcohol counseling, job service and referral, legal aid, dental work, which is performed by any of 65 volunteer dentists, and there is also an optometry program for those who need help with their eyes. Also, a clothing room is kept for anyone who comes in needing new clothes. Bero emphasized that the center is open to anyone at all who comes in. No one is ever turned away. Lately, the number of people in need appears to be growing as more and more have come in for food and assistance. "We have upwards of 600 to 700 people that are coming now daily," Bero said. "Our numbers have just risen drastically in the past two months. We don't really know the reason why. We normally see an increase around about this time of year, into May and from this notoriety. They have begun to receive fresh fruits and vegetables and. will be the recipients of milk from the LDS Church, a difficult item to get donated and very much in demand. Also, lunch is now being served by other organizations through the center on Saturday and Sunday when the center itself is not serving meals. Despite this increase in aid there has also been an increase in demand so there is always a need for more help. "We are desperately in need of getting some extra help down here from 1:30 to 3:30," Bero said. Unfortunately it takes more work to prepare fresh vegetables than to open a can. So, while the donation of vegetables causes more work, the nutritional value makes it worth the while. "We know the number of needy is not going to drop in the next couple of months, it just couldn't," Bero said. Indeed, with warm weather approaching, the numbers may do nothing but go up. Those interested in contacting the St. Vincent De Paul Center for tickets to the benefit luncheon, or to volunteer help, can call 534-150- 0. sexuality THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL from page seven discriminated BICYCLE 156 East 200 South 731 East 2100 South (801) Hrs. 9:30-6:0- 0 363-372- (801) 7 (Sat. 9:30-5:0- 0) Hrs. 9:30-7:0- 0 484-040- 4 (Sat. 9:30-5:0- OFF 30 OFF GOOD WITH THIS COUPON OR U OF U I.D. MARK MILLER SUBARU 3734 South State (801) Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 268-373- 4 Mark Miller Subaru is pleased to announce our 5th annual service clinic to be held 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM May 18th 1991 Free 25 Point Inspection Free Door Prizes Free Soft Drinks & Donuts Factory Representatives on hand to answer any question you may have. against," people's differences has been one of the most interesting aspects of the class. "The instructor Mike Tyler doesn't just teach you about people's differences, but tries to make one aware of differences and understand why people are different," Byers said. She added that the lectures are presented in such a manner that nothing is deemed "right or wrong." "We just 7 "Over the years we have received letters from the ultra-rigwing, reactionary groups that say the U. shouldn't be teaching this class because it promotes immorality4 and1 the textbook is pornographic because it shows nude people doing nude things," she said. Reagan and Tyler both commented they have also received comments from some parents who are surprised when they see their child's textbook. "The textbooks we use have ht he class, said that learning about mmTiresmm fin "sexual terrorists." added. Holly Byers, a student in the Car Racks 20 the class has come under fire from those she referred to as learn that there are differences," she said. Because many members of society have a "no see, no hear, no speak" attitude towards human sexuality, some students find this class too much to handle. Reagan said that on average about 2 percent of the students drop the class within the first week. "These people get shocked when on the first day they hear the terms penis, testicle and vagina said out been reviewed nationally and are used in most universities. The material is accurate, factual and direct. It is not provocative nor is it meant to be provocative. The text is meant to give correct information and to help people to make more informed decisions about their own sexual life," Reagan said. The popularity of this class has created a student demand that exceeds class supply. Between two classes this quarter, Tyler said he teaches about 350 students. Due to the number of students the class is presented in a lecture format. Tyler said he would prefer a smaller group of 20-3- 0 students sex, it comes in conflict with which would enable him to have their religious norms. No one has more detailed discussions with ever talked about sexual matters the students. He added that with to them before and they are not. the large class many students are quite sure that listening to this is afraid or embarrassed to ask moral," she said. questions. loud," she said. "I think when these students actually hear me talking about Overall the class has been a success at the university. Reagan said she appreciates the U. supporting the course and standing by her in times when Human sexuality is offered each quarter under women's studies or health education. Consult the class schedule for times and dates. Volunteer. APPOINTMENTS FILL FAST CALL EARLY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT! For Subarus Only American Heart Association |