What's happening
Jimmy's Fight
“I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
I can't begin to know what you're going through
I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you”
“Tunnel” by Third Day
Jimmy is a ten year old boy that attends the Ryves Youth Center. He will tell you that he enjoys spending time there - playing basketball, eating dinner, seeing his friends, working on his homework and most recently, joining the boxing program.
It is boxing that provides perhaps the most compelling account of what Jimmy represents to our program. On day two of a recent boxing tournament, Jimmy was in contention for a Silver Gloves title as he faced a more experienced and taller opponent. It was obvious that the odds were against him as he stood in the ring with his too large boxing shirt cinched in the back so it wouldn’t interfere as he competed. He wore his basketball pants and shoes - a stark contrast to his opponent who was dressed in clothes and shoes designed for the boxing ring. However, none of this seemed to matter to him, that is until the speakers announced his name and the room erupted into cheers of “Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy!”
From my perspective, it seemed Jimmy was trying to ignore the crowd noise. For three 1-minute rounds Jimmy worked hard exchanging punches with his opponent and never backed down, though he was outmatched on a physical level; and all the while his expression didn’t seem to change. As he finished the bout and stood in the middle of the ring you could see he gave everything he had, but it wasn’t enough to win a decision.
Jimmy stepped out of the ring and as he was examined by the doctor, I couldn’t help but notice his continued lack of expression. I think I would have been relieved and exhausted. His mom was understandably in tears at the prospect of her child having been in a potentially harmful situation, but she was also very proud that Jimmy had chosen to join the boxing club and compete. And what I soon learned was that Jimmy’s reluctance when hearing the crowd cheering for him was based on a perception from past experiences that led him to believe people were yelling at him in anger. Jimmy wasn’t accustomed to the possibility that people would be cheering for him to win.
Perhaps even more compelling than this – just two weeks ago Jimmy and his family had buried his step-brother who had died in a motorcycle accident. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was on Jimmy’s mind as he stepped into the ring.
In spite of not taking home the title that day, I hope Jimmy gained some level of confidence and knowledge that the effort itself has its own measure of victory and that not trying, even when we face adversity in our lives, is simply not the way to live.
There are likely thousands of “Jimmy’s” out there looking for that certain someone who will notice them, take an interest in them, encourage them and validate them. I’ve heard it said that it takes a village – but it starts with you and me.
John C. Etling
NAP Credits Still Available Before Year-end
Are you looking for an opportunity to reduce your state income tax liability while helping feed hungry 
individuals in west-central Indiana? If so, you may be interested in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits. Unlike a tax deduction, NAP credits are applied to your Indiana state tax liability – the bottom line taxes owed after all deductions are taken.
For every dollar you give ($100 minimum) to Catholic Charities, you may receive up to 50% of the contribution as a direct tax credit on your state income taxes.
Additionally, because Catholic Charities is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, a NAP contribution may also be taken as a federal tax deduction. (Consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.)
Your NAP donation to Catholic Charities will be used to support either:
- Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank to procure, warehouse, and distribute more than 2 million pounds of food to more than 32,000 people in west-central Indiana
- Bethany House Emergency Shelter to provide temporary housing, food, clothing, case management to single women, married couples, and families
Tax credits will be made available on July 1, 2011 on a first-come first-served basis. A limited amount are available. Please contact Jennifer Buell, (812)232-1447, or click here for donation details. Form NC-10 must be filed with donation in order to be eligible for credits.
Ten Ways to Help End Hunger
- Volunteer at a local food pantry
- Volunteer at Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank
- Coordinate a Food & Funds drive in your neighborhood or at your work, school, or church - Donate what you receive to the Foodbank
- Volunteer at a local soup kitchen like the one at Bethany House
- Engage your elected officials to support Child Nutrition legislation
- Empty your pockets each day and save your change for one month - Donate your savings to the Foodbank
- Fight hunger in a big way by giving up something small. THCC Foodbank can distribute 5 meals for every $1 received. 1 cup coffee = 10 meals, a fast food lunch = 25 meals, one week of lunches = 125 meals.
- Find out about the poor and hungry in our communities by reading the 2010 Feeding America Hunger in America Executive Summary
- Now through November, purchase specially marked Snickers bars and text or enter the code to help provide 2 additional meals to the Feeding America network.
- Go to Feeding America's website and find out how you can become more involved in the fight against hunger.
Point in Time Count Results
Results of the 2011 statewide Point In Time count of the homeless, conducted on January 26, 2011, are now available. Volunteers from shelter providers, churches, and social service agencies were trained and guided in completing surveys with those living in shelters, on the streets, in parks, late night coffee houses, or wherever they may call home. Results of the count help determine the population of homeless and precariously housed individuals and families in each region of the state. State funding for helping the homeless is partially based on the numbers recorded on that day.
For information about how you can help with the 2012 PIT count, please call Dottye at Bethany House at 812-232-4978.
Newsletters and Annual Reports
In order to keep you informed we mail newsletters and distribute them through our parishes throughout the year. They are also available below in electronic format.
