{"id":1710,"date":"2022-09-07T10:33:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T20:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaii.carpentermediagroup.com\/midweekhawaii\/?p=1710"},"modified":"2022-09-12T14:33:41","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T00:33:41","slug":"catholic-charities-hawaii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaii.carpentermediagroup.com\/midweekhawaii\/catholic-charities-hawaii\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyday Miracles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Honoring 75 years of compassionate work in statewide communities are members of Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i\u2019s executive management team. They are (from left) Paul Kobayashi Jr., Stella Wong, Robert \u201cRob\u201d Van Tassell, Mary Leong Saunders and Tina Andrade.<\/p><\/div>\n

As Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i celebrates its 75th anniversary, it continues to serve as a beacon of hope for the state\u2019s most vulnerable populations \u2014 proof that the miraculous really does happen.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re in the line of work that Robert \u201cRob\u201d Van Tassell is, you\u2019re never really off the clock. Just the other day, someone tapped him on the shoulder when he was waiting in line at a grocery store. The shopper had recognized the logo on his T-shirt and felt compelled to share how Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i had been a lifesaver.<\/p>\n

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Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i\u2019s wide range of programs span from k\u016bpuna services PHOTO COURTESY CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAI\u2018I<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Believe it or not, this is a common occurrence \u2014 and not just for the president and CEO. It happened to vice president of philanthropy Mary Leong Saunders at a Waik\u012bk\u012b hotel a couple of weeks back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe woman said, \u2018I want to introduce myself. I have worked in the hotel industry for over 20 years. When I lost my job during the pandemic, we received rent relief from Catholic Charities and that kept me housed \u2014 just to get me through until I could come back to work,\u2019\u201d recalls Leong Saunders.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t even realize all of the lives you touch because there are so many,\u201d she continues. \u201cHaving people come up to you and say things like that is an incredible experience. It solidifies that the work we\u2019re doing is impactful.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i\u2019s wide range of programs span from k\u016bpuna services to housing for local families PHOTO COURTESY CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAI\u2018I<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

While the nonprofit reaches anywhere between 40,000 and 80,000 people annually, statistically speaking, Van Tassell, Leong Saunders and the rest of the staff who make up the committed team at Catholic Charities Hawai\u2018i are in for quite a few more heartfelt interruptions.<\/p>\n

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the nonprofit, which has offices on Hawai\u2018i Island, Maui, O\u2018ahu and Kaua\u2018i, has carried out its mission of providing social services for the people of the state \u2014 regardless of their background or religion \u2014 each and every day since 1947.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus never questioned anybody about their faith. That was never important,\u201d says Van Tassell. \u201cWe see somebody in need, and we serve them. I think it\u2019s about what Saint Francis said, \u2018Preach often and use words when necessary.\u2019 Our work speaks for our faith and our faith shapes our work.\u201d<\/p>\n