Familia

A few years ago my brother, Jeff, sent me this picture.  He said that it reminded him of what I have found & really what many people hope to find.  I have found Taller de Jose. For the last 4+ years I have called this Non Profit "my job" or "my work", but really it is one of my passions.  

Taller de Jose is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Chicago.  It is a community resource center that offers accompaniment to any person in need.  No one is turned away.  Accompaniment is walking with people on their journey and assisting and empowering them to access services or resources that they and their families may need.  We sit and listen to people tell their stories, some heartbreaking and others beautiful and joyful.  We help them make phone calls they are afraid to make because of language barriers, lack of knowledge, and simple fear.  We walk with our clients from our office to the bus or train then to any appointment, court hearing, office, that they need so that they have someone with them to support them, guide them, teach them, and listen.  That is what makes Taller de Jose unique-- we walk with people.  We are one with people.  Simply walking together, learning together, crying together, and laughing together.

In 2008 I came to Taller de Jose a young, eager, college graduate ready to take on the world.  Taller de Jose was not open when I arrived.  I worked for a month with our Executive Director, Sr. Kathy, a social work intern, and Sr. Theresa, a volunteer to get the place ready to open.  We were picking up donated furniture, computers, office supplies, making fliers, business cards, making copies of office keys, visiting churches, schools, and nonprofits to get the word out about what we were trying to do.  Then one day, almost FIVE years ago today, we opened our doors.  I learned how to listen with my heart and what it really means to be present with someone.  There are many stories of clients that stick out in my mind, and I hope to convey them best I can in this blog during the rest of my training, because these are the people I am running for.  These are some of the people that will give me a reason to carry on and finish the race when I am angry, hurting, dehydrated, and tired--their stories give me motivation.

There is one story I will tell quickly and leave the others for future posts since this one is rather long.  My very first accompaniment.  Dolores was a young mother that was fighting for full custody of her three children.  She had tried every legal aid agency in the city of Chicago, but unfortunately her ex had gotten to all of them first and because of conflict of interest policies none of them could help.  We even called together to double check but nothing.  So, I decided to offer to go with her to court since that was what we said our mission was, right?  When I offered Dolores immediately perked up "Oh you would do that for me?"  "Yeah, absolutely!"  I said yes, but inside I was nervous and scared.  Why?  This wasn't my court hearing--but for some reason I felt a strong connection to Dolores.  We went.  I sat next to Dolores who had tissue in her hand and was shaking until her name was called.  She got up & went in front of the judge.  They asked questions and conversed and before I knew it she was done asking me to follow her outside of the court room.  She did not get full custody of children.  Crying and upset she looked at me and said "Lisa, gracias por acompañarme, siempre me siento estúpida cuando voy solita" (Lisa, thank you for accompanying me, I always feel so stupid when I go by myself.)  There you have it.  The power of simply "being with" is an amazing thing.  Just as we at Taller de Jose have been there to be present and walk with our clients, there are people in my life who have been present and with me, especially while I train for this marathon.  My mom, dad, brothers, Erik, co-workers, boss, friends, running partners ( Lara, Mackenzie, Cuda, Jess), roommates, colleagues, and many more. I can not thank all of these people enough for walking with me through great times and not so great times-- you all have given me the strength and encouragement to (for the second time) meet this challenge & run 26 miles.  Please support me by donating to Taller de Jose (top right), so that we can continue our mission of accompaniment. Also, please say a prayer that I make it through my 18 mile training run this weekend! :)