Deirdre’s House - Helping Child Victims


By: Maria Vinci Savettiere, Esq., Executive Director of Deirdre’s House

Deirdre’s House, the Center for Morris County’s child victims of abuse and/or neglect, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the National Philoptochos Society for providing funding through their Children’s Medical Fund that will allow us to not only reestablish the Deirdre’s House on site medical program but will also give us the ability to address a national critical shortage of physicians who are trained as pediatric abuse specialists. Currently, less than twenty doctors per year are trained in this specialty, leaving thousands of child victims without the specialized care they need and prosecutors without the experts they need to convict those who harm our children. 

Deirdre’s House plays a critical role in Morris County’s ability to address the needs of childhood victims of physical and sexual abuse. DH is the only site in Morris County where a child victim can be forensically interviewed and digitally recorded by law enforcement, medically examined and treated, and clinically counseled in English and in Spanish, all under one roof, all free of charge. Since 1996, Deirdre’s House has opened the door to hope and healing for child victims 28,000 times.  The core mission of Deirdre’s House is to provide justice in all its forms to child victims and their non-offending care-givers.
Certainly, an important part of justice is the prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators. Those who harm children must be held accountable for their crimes. But just as certainly, justice is about insuring that victims are treated with care and dignity. Justice is making sure that lives that are wrongly interrupted can still be happy and successful by ensuring that the trauma of the present is not carried into the future. On site non-traumatizing medical examinations and treatment are a critical part of achieving justice for child victims. Compassionate medical care is an important part of the healing process. Child victims that are carefully diagnosed and treated by pediatric abuse specialists have a much greater chance of overcoming their abuse and going on to lead successful and happy lives. 

Why are medical examinations for child victims by a pediatric abuse specialist so critical? A doctor who is specifically trained as a pediatric abuse specialist is a vital part of the investigative and prosecutorial team. First and foremost, because the burden of proof in any criminal case is so very high-a prosecutor must overcome reasonable doubt in all members of a jury in order to convict a dangerous pedophile and insure that they will never hurt another child. By gathering and documenting physical evidence this specially trained pediatrician becomes the expert witness of choice in any prosecution and is able to corroborate statements that a child has made in their forensic interview about the assault. This physician can be the critical difference in the conviction of someone that has victimized a child.

Another reason that a pediatric abuse specialist is so important when treating a child victim is that because a child is accustomed to sharing information about their bodies with a doctor, oftentimes children will disclose information to a pediatric abuse physician that they would not disclose to anyone else. In addition, many times children look to our doctor to tell them that they will be OK and that no one will be able to tell just by looking at them that they have been abused or assaulted.  In addition, a pediatric abuse specialist can rule out abuse so parents are not wrongfully accused and children get the medical attention they need.

Again, we are so grateful to the National Philoptochos Society for partnering with Deirdre’s House to provide critical on site, non-traumatizing medical treatment for child victims. The impact of this funding will affect the lives of thousands of children and their families for many years to come.

If you would like more information about Deirdre’s House or ways you can help, please refer to our website www.deirdreshouse.org.
I ask all who read this blog to remember to report suspected incidences of child abuse to the DCPP at 1-877-NJ Abuse or your local law enforcement or prosecutors office. We, as a community, are the first line of defense for children who may be suffering silently among us.  Please do not allow child victims to suffer in silence. By reporting suspected abuse and neglect you could save a child’s life. 

*The Deidre O’Brien Child Advocacy Center, Inc. in Morristown, New Jersey received a grant of $35,000 from the National Philoptochos Society’s Children’s Medical Fund for an on-site Medical Program for Child Victims of Physical and Sexual Abuse and/or Neglect.




*The above pictures are of (from top to bottom): a clinical counseling room, a forensic room and a medical room.

Philoptochos Possible!


April 2017
Marilynn Jemas, St. Louis, Missouri
 
Years ago, Audrey Hepburn stated “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible!”
That one word ignites our ability to think outside the box, to tap into hidden potential and then churn out the expectancy of great things to come.
Audrey’s comment perfectly personifies Philoptochos!  Our members possess a resolute CAN DO attitude that really defines who we are. We have built a strong reputation for solving problems. Accepting difficult challenges and accomplishing the mission of helping those in need.
What if each Philoptochos member would adopt this “I’m possible” strategy? Can we shift our gears up several notches to capture “I’m Possible” thinking? What more could Philoptochos achieve if we rev up our engines way past the familiar and move on into to the realm of “anything is possible”?
Every National Philoptochos Biennial Convention highlights the many challenges that Philoptochos tackles and achieves. The 2016 Biennial Convention in Nashville was a great example of the spirit of Philoptochos.  Each daily session and agenda radiated the good works of our beloved organization!
As convention delegates celebrated our 85th anniversary, they were presented with a tremendous array of societal problems and how different chapters had addressed working with these issues. Delegates were filled with pride for these kinds of inspiring tales and eager to return to their own chapters to tackle new initiatives of their own. All were transformed by the information received. A crescendo of cheering was so loud that those outside the meeting room could not help but note the exuberance!
In our own chapters, each of us can be a cheerleader for Philoptochos, spreading our positive message with pride. We can build upon the legacy of all the hardworking, determined members before us, knowing that it is now our turn to leapfrog Philoptochos into a full future, never fearing to explore new possibilities or challenges.
Now in our 86th year, let’s continue to be confident that more positive achievements are possible. Dare to expect that more interest and enthusiasm is possible, that increased membership is possible and that greater service to those is need is possible. Remember, “I’m Possible!”    

Blessing Bags and Blankets for the Homeless


Offering Dignity and Warmth to Chicago’s Tent Residents

March 2017
Arlene Siavelis Kehl and Katherine Siavelis
St. Andrew’s, Chicago, Illinois
It has always been a part of Philoptochos’ mission “to help the poor, the destitute, the hungry…the unemployed…”, but there are times in all of our lives when we encounter those in need who tug especially at our hearts.  One of those times was in the fall when our St. Andrew’s Women’s Philoptochos Society (SAWPS) and our local Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) students at Loyola University of Chicago learned of a group of homeless people living in tents under four viaducts along Lake Shore Drive in the city’s Uptown neighborhood.
Problems Identified:  How will the residents in the tent cities survive the winter months?  What will happen to those residents if the city takes away their tents and forces them to relocate?  What happens to the viaduct dwellers if there are not enough homeless shelters for them to relocate?
Although we, the SAWPS and the OCF from Loyola, want to be compassionate and solve completely the problems of our fellow men, sometimes we can only offer partial, short-term solutions to help those in need as they face life’s challenges.  This was the case with the residents of the tent cities.
In talking with the residents, we learned that they needed blankets, essential clothing, toiletries and non-perishable foodstuffs, and wanted fast food gift cards to help them get by and survive during the winter and early spring.  These conversations led us to developing our two-gallon size Blessing Bags.  Each Blessing Bag contained a hat, scarf, gloves, socks, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, toothbrush holder, comb, granola bars, fruit snacks and a McDonald’s gift card.  We sourced competitively Blessing Bag supplies along with the Blankets, assembled them, distributed them to the residents, and fundraised for sponsorships to offset the cost of the supplies and blankets.
Short-Term Solution Implemented:  Team of SAWPS members, OCF students and clergy visited the residents of the tent cities to minister to them in their time of need and to provide them with Blessing Bags and Blankets offering these individuals dignity and warmth during the cold months in Chicago.  May God bless the residents, keep them safe, and show how much we at St. Andrew’s care for our fellow men.  



Philoptochos Role Models Are Shining Stars


January 2017
Lekita Essa, Raleigh, North Carolina

My first experiences at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, NC still warm my heart. The outpouring of love and friendship made me want to become a part of the community and get involved.

My nouna, Pota Vallas, one of the founding members of our Philoptochos chapter, brought me to my first Philoptochos meeting. I did not fully understand the meaning of philanthropia or the value of this connection for me. I was moved by its mission statement: to aid the poor, to promote charitable works, to preserve and perpetuate our faith traditions and promote community participation. I found myself wanting to participate and dedicate myself to the work of our Philoptochos chapter.   

Each Philoptochos sister I have come to know has influenced my life and helped form my thoughts and actions. On any given subject, we have as many passionate thoughts and opinions as we have members, but by the end of each meeting, there is consensus.   

In particular, there are four Philoptochos women who have been mentors and role models to me.   

Pota Vallas, my nouna, now 108 years young, inspires me through her life as an immigrant, a business woman and a community leader. She has shown that being a “friend to the poor” is of utmost importance. She has taught me that not everyone has the talent or ability to work an event, but if we can’t be working, we need to be a major consumer or supporter! The key is to be involved and give back.    

Artie Sarayotis and Mitsa Capetanos, two of our “50 plus years” members continue to teach me the true meaning of service.  Mitsa arrived from Greece in 1959. Four days later, she attended her first Philoptochos meeting at Holy Trinity!   Artie moved to Raleigh from New York almost 40 years ago and brought many new ideas. Artie and Mitsa make a great team, having served as chapter officers and event chairpersons, always inspiring others with their leadership and positive approach.   

Each leads by example, selflessly giving their time and talent, teaching that everyone should utilize their unique gifts to help others. Artie, walking spry with a walker and Mitsa, active with her cane, are the first to show up for meetings. Observing their lives and all they give, nudges me to inventory my own life and how I might serve.   

Like many of you, I have the pleasure of having friendships with Philoptochos women from other cities. The enthusiasm of Evan Scurtis for Philoptochos is contagious. Evan lives in Miami and is a long-time Philoptochos member of the St. Sophia parish. A natural leader, she deftly reaches out and serves Philoptochos on the chapter, Metropolis and National levels. She generously shares her knowledge and time with others and inspires those around her to give more of themselves.    

Through the example of her own life, Evan has given me a deeper understanding of the true mission of Philoptochos. Her simple, yet powerful, description of our mission is engraved in my mind and heart, “The core mission of Philoptochos is social service – Philanthropy”. She practices this every day. She seeks to have a positive impact on every life she touches and her dedication to Philoptochos continues to inspire me to do the same.

  
Philoptochos sisters have taught me that we are responsible to give and volunteer with an open heart. We are here to serve, to inspire to work side by side, to be respectful, to teach and be taught.  As we continue our journey of philanthropia, may we always enjoy each other every step of the way!  

Volunteers Make a Difference at St. Michael’s Home


May 2016
Aspasia Melis, Tenafly, New Jersey
 
 
As Philoptochos members, we share the desire to be of service and to give, in some way, our time, talents or compassion to those in need.  One tie that bonds us together was often instilled in our own homes, from our mothers and yiayias, who taught the importance of caregiving and nurturing.  As Greek Orthodox faithful, we place great value on the importance of family.  Our parents and grandparents-- many who journeyed to America for opportunity-- always stressed the importance of the Church and tradition.
 
During my term as President of the Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos, I quickly realized the value and beauty of St. Michael’s Home for the Aged, located in Yonkers, New York.  St. Michael’s Home is an adult care facility for the elderly members of our community.   From my first visit to St. Michael’s Home, where I met with the Director, His Grace Bishop Andonios and the beloved residents, I realized that the Philoptochos needed to help this sacred mission of our Church.
 
It was important for me to inform all the Philoptochos chapters in our Metropolis, about
the benefits of St. Michael's Home for the Aged and to ask that they share information about this institution with others in their  communities.  The chapters enthusiastically adopted St. Michael's Home as one of our Metropolis projects. They wanted to work with, and help serve these elderly residents, who were once able to give so much to us.
 
Chapters were encouraged to provide interested members with the opportunity to join an organized group of St. Michael’s Home volunteers. Thirty years later, this group still exists. This is where our caregiving and nurturing is able to shine! We visit the Home to help bring enjoyment and comfort to those whose lives can be sad and lonely. Together we host monthly birthday parties with gifts, cake and singing. We celebrate special holidays such as Greek Independence Day, the Fourth of July and October 28th.
 
In addition, the committee organizes various theme parties for Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day. Other enjoyable activities include bowling games, exercise classes, dancing, singing, jokes and storytelling. The residents are treated to activities away from St. Michael’s Home. Various Philoptochos chapters host luncheons in their honor and there are dinners at local Greek tavernas. Many groups are invited to perform. These include carolers during the Christmas season, Goyans performing plays during “Sights and Sounds” and bouzouki players who come and fill the air with the favorite music of the residents.
 
Over the years, the volunteers have found their niches and their own ways to help. Some arrange and prepare these events, some decorate, others coordinate songs and dances. There are those who tell jokes that never fail to bring tons of laughter! The rewards for our volunteer work have been so wonderful. To see the residents of St. Michael’s Home enjoying themselves, to hear their laughter, to form special bonds with these individuals, never fails to encourage us to do more for this very special place.
 
Their happiness is our happiness.
 

Membership Growth Takes a Personal Touch

April 2016
Alexis Limberakis, Ambler, PA
Philoptochos is Philanthropy-Fellowship-Faith in Action!
Membership growth and retention is a key component to the success of any organization and Philoptochos is no exception.

Although the annual Membership Drive begins in January, membership growth should be on the agenda of every Philoptochos chapter all year. As members ourselves, we should always realize that this entails the responsibility to let all women in our parish know about the extraordinary work that each Philoptochos chapter does.

Members are the face of Philoptochos and its best recruiting tool! In my experience I have learned that the best way to reach women is the “one on one” approach. I have surprisingly learned that many women had not joined because no one had ever asked them to do so!

I have also been surprised to learn that many women do not know the purpose  of Philoptochos.  This revelation has led me to realize that many of us automatically assume that everyone knows about our philanthropic mission. Or maybe chapters are waiting to  be approached by potential members. Either one of these scenarios will not help increase the membership level of any chapter!
What simple issues to resolve! There are many opportunities to introduce others to our dynamic organization. So often there are new members in a parish or long time parishioners who have never joined. Take a few moments to explain and enlighten these individuals about the scope of our philanthropy!  A friendly smile and an invitation to come to a Philoptochos meeting can go a long way!

Sometimes we are faced with the challenge of changing certain perceptions about Philoptochos. Perceptions that we are simply “the ladies that bake”. While baking is still part of most chapters, it truly is a small part. As members, we need to present the bigger picture of Philoptochos philanthropy, which is certainly not funded only by bake sales.
In the February/March 2016 issue of the Orthodox Observer, it was reported that National Philoptochos disbursed $1.74 million for philanthropy. This impressive figure does not include what the different Metropolis boards disburse nor does it include what the more than 400 local chapters disburse. What a stellar example of philanthropy we have in our parishes! Use this information as a way to educate others on the ability of Philoptochos to help those in need.

I believe that many people, including  younger women and millennials, want to do hands-on outreach and just need an outlet to do so. Philoptochos  offers that avenue. It cannot be overemphasized that the more members we have, the greater effect we will have in changing lives for the better.
It is my hope that all members make that extra effort to bring all Greek Orthodox women into our Sisterhood. Use the personal approach and also be approachable! Women do join because someone reached out to acknowledge and welcome them to experience philanthropy, faith and fellowship in action!

Life Lessons Learned in Philoptochos

December 2015
Thea Martin, Pittsburgh, PA

In Philoptochos, as in life, it is important to cultivate and teach the young. We continually work to come up with ways to engage our young Orthodox women because it is important to keep our organization alive.
When I joined Philoptochos over ten years ago, I was among the youngest members. I was new to my church, newly married, and looking for a way to create a foundation for my future life. Why not Philoptochos?  I was told that Philoptochos was an organization for yiayias who cooked and I probably wouldn’t like it. Perhaps, but my yiayias were no longer on this earth. I had never learned to cook, so at the very least, why not give it a shot?

It was actually very cool. Long standing members would call me after each meeting to gage my thoughts and ask my opinion, but mainly they called to make sure that I would be attending the next monthly meeting. To be honest, the extra attention was what kept me coming back. After all, the snacks were good and I enjoyed the interaction between the women.​ I especially loved the raised voices speaking Greek. I didn’t always understand, but somehow I knew what they were saying. 
We ended each meeting with a prayer and kissed each other good night. Ah…this was a family. My parents divorced when I was very young and my mother was not Greek. I was never part of GOYA, and I never experienced fun, loud, family holidays. But now, sitting around a table with fifteen or so women who openly expressed their thoughts and showed agape to all, it all felt natural to me. I wasn’t quite sure why, but I knew that Philoptochos was going to be a game changer in my life.

It is said that a wise person learns from their mistakes. A wiser person learns from the mistakes of others. But the wisest person learns from the success of others. I am always learning from the successes of more experienced leaders. I have experienced my share of mistakes, but I know that I have learned from them.
First lesson learned:

​It was probably not wise to send an invitation for a Philoptochos event that stated, “Yiayias stay home…you can babysit”. After being elected chapter president, my vice p​resident and secretary (who were also close to my age) ​thought it was time to shake things up a little.  We decided to hold a membership social that would take place in the evening and we put much effort into the planning. 

We designed a postcard that was mailed to over five hundred parish families.
We were excited to let everyone know they would enjoy an evening of creative hors d’oeuvres as well as Philopo-tini’s- our version of a cosmopolitan martini. While focusing on trying to attract young new members, we excitedly expressed an idea to them: “Yiayias stay home….you can babysit”.

Oops. What we thought was lighthearted and funny, ended up upsetting quite a few people. There were many phone calls that week. But in the end, we apologized to those we upset and when the dust settled, we had seventeen new members!
Second lesson learned:

My chapter’s largest fundraiser each year was our Mini Food Fair, a popular community event that raised money for our philanthropy. We younger members had learned a lot from watching our “seasoned” members negotiate with vendors, choose the best products, organize, and plan this huge endeavor. And we learned how to show respect to all.
Sometimes change is difficult, especially if things are working well. Over the years my vice president and I had many ideas that we thought would help our food fair achieve even greater success.

“What if we sold beer and wine at our food fair?” we asked during a meeting. We put numbers together to show the additional amount of money that we could raise. We were pleasantly surprised when there was little objection. We thought was official. That year our food fair would include beer and wine. Then the phone calls began. Some members did not believe that alcohol belonged at a Philoptochos event. Some said they would boycott. Oops again.
We didn’t know what to expect. This was our first attempt at change as leaders of Philoptochos. Here we were again, causing turmoil. My executive board met one evening to talk about leadership and what we hoped to achieve. That was a very special night.  We decided that our term was going to be all or nothing, beginning with the food fair.  With the fair just a few weeks away, any changes that we made needed happen quickly.

After the meeting, we headed to lock the community center doors. We heard chanting upstairs. We headed upstairs to inform whoever was there to lock the doors when they left. In addition, we went outside to see if we knew any cars in the parking lot. We realized that there was no one upstairs and no recognizable cars.
We all looked at each other and left.

That year, the revenue and profit of our fair doubled. The church bulletin’s headline read, “Mini Food Fair, Not So Mini Anymore”.
Looking back, we know the chanting we heard that night was a sign. Everything was going to be okay. And it has been. This year, our renamed Autumn Food Fair made over $60,000. As always, the money raised will go to our Holy Cross Philoptochos mission.

While we honor the traditions and customs we have been handed down, it is important to remember that young members can lend new ideas to our organization. Encouraging them and giving them an opportunity to have a voice helps them feel engaged. We can also learn new lessons from them. Working together, we can make Philoptochos a stronger organization and shepherd it into a bright future.

 

“How did you get involved with Philoptochos?”

November 2015
Diana Jianas, Newport Beach, CA

Many members grew up in the church, with membership a natural progression, “like your mother”.  For others, we became members for one reason only; someone approached us and personally asked us to join.
I am a convert and Greek on my mother’s side. Growing up, with no Greek church close by we attended our local Episcopal church.  When I started to date my future Greek husband Alex, I decided to join the Greek Church.  I was not approached to join Philoptochos so I was content to stay away.  The church we were attending began to experience some difficult challenges and we were moving out of the area so the timing was right for us to start going to a new church, which was not Greek Orthodox.  We attended the church for a couple years but I always felt something was missing.  During this break from Orthodoxy, I did have the extraordinary opportunity to go to the Patriarchate and meet His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.  After that meeting, I knew I had to make my way back to the Greek Church.

We began attending St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, California.  It is a beautiful church of a modern design and mosaic Byzantine-style iconography, which was quite a change from the traditional Greek Church we had been attending.  Not only did the church look different, the services were conducted in English and the congregation was much younger and very friendly.  I immediately felt like we had found a home.
One Sunday at coffee hour, National Board member Kathy Gabriel personally asked me to join Philoptochos. Her motto, as National Membership chairman, was INVITE, EMBRACE, INVOLVE.  Her invitation has had a lasting impact on my life and I can never thank her enough.

My cousin, Celeste Moschos, who is also on our National Board, told me while on that trip to the Patriarchate, that some of her dearest, closest friendships were a result of her involvement in Philoptochos.  I now know what she meant as I cherish my friendships with fellow Chapter, Metropolis and National Philoptochos sisters.
Reach out to someone who might just be waiting for that invitation. Perhaps you will find that they just wanted to feel included. As Philoptochos members we need to reach members through personal contact and by extending that invitation, it could change their life too.

 

The Joy of Cooking


October 2015
Valine Georgeson, Atlanta, Georgia

We have all heard comments from time to time from individuals who express a desire that Philoptochos eliminate all forms of cooking from its activities. In their mind, cooking is not an activity that will attract new members or keep current members interested. The idea of pastry baking is sometimes equated with the end of the world!
Well, I am here to talk about the pleasure and value of cooking together as Philoptochos women! As someone who has done a great deal of cooking and baking for Philoptochos fundraising and hospitality, I have come to realize that when our members are cooking together, there is so much more happening in the kitchen than food preparation.

What do I mean by this?
The kitchen is a great place to teach and to be taught. Of course, you can learn recipes or cooking techniques, but often the lessons taught or the dialogue exchanged has nothing to do with food.

Cooking inspires memory and when hands are busy, our chefs will share stories from their lives, loving, painful or humorous, with words that they might not share in another setting.
And laughter! We laugh a great deal when we cook and what better way to bond and enjoy volunteer work than in a lighthearted atmosphere? One friend always says that our cooking projects are the best therapy in the world.

I love, that even in 2015, we continue certain cooking traditions and that the recipes we use were handed down from members who are no longer with us. Hand-crafted food items are such a huge focus in the food world. I like to think that Philoptochos has been way ahead of that trend for a very long time!
And here is another great thing about cooking together. In my large parish in Atlanta, there are many individuals who are newcomers or who are recent converts to Orthodoxy. It is not always easy to meet parishioners when coming to a new church. So many times women have learned about a Philoptochos cooking project. They walk in the door knowing no one, and leave with a different sense of community. Working together with others means that you learn names, or as is often the case, the newcomer finds that she shares many acquaintances with those already there. Once a new convert thanked us for welcoming her and noted that she now felt “part of the team”.

Our members are talented and gifted in so many areas. They are constantly creating new ways and projects to address fundraising and membership. We need these ideas to grow and serve those whom we are charged with helping. Let’s always continue to encourage this kind of creativity and thinking outside the box.
But let’s not lock those kitchen doors!

Cooking with and for Philoptochos is a good thing.

Guidelines for Submitting a Blog Entry

Welcome to the blogsite of the National Philoptochos Society!

Through blog entries, we want to bring together the voices of Philoptochos women from around the country. By sharing  personal observations and small stories, these entries can serve as food for thought and inspiration.

Blog entry guidelines are easy and your cooperation in following them is most appreciated! Thank you for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!

·      Word limit of 350-400

·      There must be a Philoptochos connection to your entry

·      Please remember that paragraphs are your friend! One long paragraph is not a good format

·      The blog should be your observation and thoughts on the topic or story that you choose

·      Topics may be, but certainly not limited to, acts of kindness, personal observations on something that your chapter has done, a memorable Philoptochos moment, be it poignant or humorous, a Philoptochos woman who inspired you along the way, the excitement and challenges of philanthropy, fundraising and reaching a goal. There are so many possibilities out there!

·      Please include your name, city and parish name with your entry
 
Entries should be submitted to:  communications@philoptochos.org

A Call to Service

September 2015
By Helen Ballerano, Boca Raton, Florida

Happy New Year!  September 1st begins a new ecclesiastical year and affords us the perfect opportunity to begin anew in our commitment of stewardship to our faith and our church.

As the philanthropic arm of the church, Philoptochos is the true embodiment of Christian stewardship and an ideal way for us, as Orthodox women, to contribute our time and talent.  All Orthodox women are invited and welcomed to participate in the Philoptochos mission,  to offer compassionate charity and benevolence, to preserve and perpetuate our Orthodox Christian values and family, and to promote our Greek Orthodox faith and traditions.

Philoptochos has a huge charge and with it the tremendous responsibility of fulfilling its mission, from the smallest parish chapter, up through Metropolis and National levels. With thousands of members, Philoptochos has the distinction of being one of the largest Christian women's faith based philanthropic organizations in the country. That's an accomplishment we should all be proud of!  And yet, in many ways, Philoptochos struggles with being recognized, or even known, sometimes even within the walls of our churches.  And many women, especially young women, are reluctant to join. But why?

It is probably fair to say that most women with school age children do not hesitate to join their child’s school PTA.  As parents, we never question supporting our child's education or their school. Joining the PTA is a given. It certainly was for me, as I'm confident it was for you. However, do we as Orthodox women have that same attitude and spirit about joining our parish Philoptochos? How awesome would it be, if 80 or 90, or even 100% of the women of our parishes joined Philoptochos? Our strength, reach and potential would be extraordinary!

My own personal sense is that when we truly understand and embrace the meaning of Christian stewardship in our life, then our commitment and support of our church and its ministries naturally grows.   Welcoming each day with a Christ-focused and church-centered life, is the embodiment and true essence of stewardship.

Every day, Philoptochos women offer their time, talent and treasure to meeting the needs of our church and local parish families and by serving the greater community.  There are teams of women who visit the sick and the elderly, who serve at soup kitchens, who organize events and fundraisers, and who volunteer in so many ways throughout their communities.  The Sunday coffee hours and numerous fundraisers benefit local and national causes that are worthy of our support. Philoptochos responds in times of crisis, as with the financial struggles in Greece, or when a natural disaster occurs in all parts of the world.

Embarking on this new ecclesiastical year, we should prayerfully reflect on the role of our faith and church in our own life. Let’s embrace this year by honoring our blessings through personal stewardship to Philoptochos and by inviting women of all ages to join us in this call to faithful service.

Manhattan Caravan Feeds the Hungry!

August 2015
By Georgia Vlitas, Staten Island, NY and Jennifer Constantin, Scarsdale, NY

Talk about flexibility!  When we got to 33rd Street and 7th Avenue last night, a street sign greeted us announcing the street was closed because a pedestrian plaza was under construction in “our” spot.  As we were trying to determine where to set up, one of our guests tapped on our car window to tell us to go around the block to 33rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues and he would find our guests and let them know where we would be set up for the night!  Amazing! 
So off we went – a four car caravan - to a new location!  As we were arriving, some of our guests were waiting for us, and they actually helped us set up our tables and bins.  We were a little concerned, thinking that most of the guests would not be able to find us, but we knew that would be the best option since the circumstances were beyond our control.

It was a little disappointing at first because very few guests showed up, but as the evening progressed some of our guests found us and said, “We’ve been looking for you Greeks!” and “We are so happy to see you!”
Thank you to Lily Katos for purchasing the ingredients for the delicious beef stew and to Fr. Dionysios Anagnostopoulos from Holy Cross Church in Whitestone, New York for being our personal chef and preparing it!  Thank you to Nellie Logothetides, Evellyn Tsiadis, Annie Sullivan and Tina Marie Vlitas for your help and donations. Fr. Demetrios Kazakis from St. Nicholas in West Babylon, New York, was warmly greeting and engaging our guests during this trying time for his parish after the recent fire in their church. The photos of the damage to their church brought us all to tears.

Despite the “new location” and hot & humid evening, we were able to distribute our homemade beef stew, Metro Café sandwiches and wraps, koulourakia made by the residents of St. Michael’s home, granola bars, clementines, cold water and juice. We also distributed socks and toiletries. (The ladies especially loved the Clinique lipstick!) We may have left, hot and tired, but it was another rewarding experience in the life of Philoptochos outreach!
Due to our relocation, we still had stew, rolls, snacks, and fruit,  but God is always there watching over us and as Jennifer arrived at a men’s shelter to deliver the remaining food items, she saw men waiting outside the shelter in the heat.  Upon entering, she learned that they had run very low on food, so the men waiting outside had been turned away! She hadn’t even finished unpacking the car before one of the men told her how delicious the stew was.  He was already eating it!

What started out as an uncertain evening, ended up allowing these men to enter an air-conditioned shelter, and be fed a delicious meal instead of sleeping on the streets! When life gives you lemons….


Christ the Good Shepherd Autism Camp

July 2015
By Maria Snider, Atlanta, GA

Over Memorial Day weekend this year, I served as one of the camp counselors at the Christ the Good Shepherd Camp. This camp was sponsored by the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos for Orthodox children in our Metropolis and held at the Diakonia Retreat Center in South Carolina.

At the time of the camp, I was finishing up a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, specializing in working with children and adolescents. The other counselors came from various universities, cities and backgrounds, each bringing their own unique experiences to make this camp truly special.

Eight families with children on the Autism Spectrum, attended the camp. I witnessed the excitement in their eyes, as many of these children had never been to a camp that was designed to fit their specific needs. Including volunteers, families, priests and other volunteers, there were over 60 individuals there.

An Autism specialist, Catherine Faherty, trained the counselors and staff members prior to the family arrivals and helped to make the camp Autism-friendly. We wanted the campers to feel accepted and to be able to participate in traditional camp activities. The camp also included a spiritual component with morning and evening prayer services each day conducted by Father Paul Kaplanis from Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta and Father Panayiotis Papageorgiou from Holy Transfiguration in Marietta, Ga. In addition, Paula Marchman, from the Metropolis of Atlanta Family Services committee, taught about Christ the Good Shepherd and Psalm 23 throughout the weekend.

The weekend began with the families arriving on Friday night. The first night, the children went on a scavenger hunt to get acquainted with the campgrounds, engaged in games and enjoyed a campfire sing-a-long. I watched the children clap happily and gleefully sing the songs.

Saturday began with decorating iconostasios and balancing on the ropes course. The children had a teaching lesson about liturgical articles with Father Paul where he discussed and showed items like the Holy Chalice. Next came canoeing and fishing.

On Sunday morning, the campers and their families attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at Diakonia Center chapel. Some of the male campers served as altar boys. I enjoyed hearing the campers both sing hymns and read aloud during the services. Sunday afternoon was filled with more camp activities and on Sunday evening a social was held where everyone listened to music and danced. I could feel the energy and enthusiasm exuding from these children.

On Monday morning, everyone departed for their homes, Not only did the children have a blast at their first camping experience, but the parents appeared relaxed the entire weekend. They had been able to enjoy the campgrounds alone or with each other, while their children were with their counselors.

Many of the children asked if there would be Christ the Good Shepherd camp again next year. My hope is that this camp will continue each year and to serve as a safe and supportive place for these children to try activities that they have never done before. It was a great weekend!

Teaching and Philoptochos – A Great Combination

June 2015
By Marilynn Jemas, St. Louis, MO
 
Years ago I attended a National Philoptochos Biennial Convention and it was there that my theory was hatched.  In the meeting room, during a lively discussion about autism, I observed that the group of 500 attendees contained an abundance of members from the teaching profession. Since that time, there have been many regular occurrences at Philoptochos meetings and events that strongly support my original observation. Philoptochos attracts many teachers who become active and involved members. On my own Metropolis of Chicago Board, the President, 1st Vice President and Chapter Advisor, along with several Board Members, all belong to the teaching profession. I am also a teacher.

All Philoptochos women are amazing! Each member weaves her own particular talents and career skills into the fabric of our Philoptochos in the same way that many individual women blend their nicest stitches to fashion a fancy quilt.   We are most certainly a diverse group of women who readily share our service-oriented mindset with others of all paths. Philoptochos is fortunate to have this unique blending of women.

What is attracting so many teachers to participate wholeheartedly in Philoptochos? It seems teachers feel comfortable in this atmosphere. Our organization provides a supportive environment for teachers to utilize their communication skills, people skills and creativity. Teachers subscribe to the same, “More WE, less ME!” philosophy as do Philoptochos members. Teachers combine unselfish caring with compassionate action, day after day.

As Philoptochos volunteers, we represent generations of women that have worked hard, dedicating time and energy to make a difference for individuals today as well as future generations. It is often said that teaching is a calling to do something more for another person and to give something back to our fellow man. It is obvious that Philoptochos volunteers also feel a deep calling in their lives and willingly dedicate their efforts to a cause greater than themselves. 

Dr. Laura Schlessinger expressed it well when she stated, “We have all touched other people and known it, but we have all touched some people and never known it. Either way, each person has something to give.  And it is in the giving to one another that each one of our lives become meaningful.” So, whether you are a Philoptochos member and a teacher, or a Philoptochos member and not a teacher, it is the dedication of your time and talent to this organization that will add so much joy to your giving and living.

What do those in the teaching profession bring to Philoptochos? Teachers are self-starters and problem solvers. They raise the bar with their enthusiasm, motivation and innovation. Teachers are leaders and can carve a path for others to follow. They are quick to connect with others and form relationships that lead to lasting friendships.  Teachers are great communicators, good listeners and appreciate the value of humor in problem solving.

Philoptochos is a collaborative effort. Many women from all over our country put their best efforts together, pool their resources and volunteer to successfully serve others. Robert John Meehan said about teachers, “The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration our growth is limited to our own perspectives.” The same can be said about the women of Philoptochos. Working together, we can continue to achieve great things.
 

What Is Autism?

May 2015
By Barbara Vittas, Autism Chairman, Bedford, TX 

Autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.  Autism is a neurological disorder that affects development in areas of social interaction and communication skills.  The most obvious signs of autism tend to emerge between 12 and 18 months of age.  There are no blood or biologic tests for autism so diagnosis is not an exact science.  Making judgments about a child’s behavior identifies it.  ASD is estimated to affect more than 2 million individuals in the U.S. and statistics show that prevalence rates have increased 10 to 17 percents annually in recent years.  Health officials attribute the increase in cases largely to better recognition through wider screening and better diagnosis.

During the July 2008 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Washington, DC, the National Philoptochos Autism Assistance Fund was established.  The purpose of this discretionary fund is to enable Philoptochos to heighten awareness of autism and to provide assistance and support to persons within the autism spectrum.  In addition, it allows us to directly assist families as they struggle to meet out of pocket expenses to ensure that their children receive the critical autism therapies that will help them overcome their developmental disabilities.  In 2014, National Philoptochos Autism Awareness Fund disbursed $14,000 in assistance to individuals dealing with the devastating costs associated with raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder.  Nearly 46,000 individuals and families in the United States began their journey with autism that year.

What we need to remember is that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them.  Children and adults with autism are unable to relate to others in a socially meaningful way and as these children become adults, their ability to develop friendships is impaired, as is their capacity to understand other people’s feelings.  People with autism can often have accompanying learning disabilities.  They face challenges of developing their vocational skills and finding employment as well as developing their independent living skills.
 

Since National Philoptochos established the Autism Assistance Fund, we have learned much and continue to learn about the effects of ASD.  I hope this summary will be of help in enlightening all to the societal challenges faced in assisting families and individuals in dealing with this disability, and that Philoptochos can take an increasingly effective role with our assistance. 
 

"Soup Run"

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, NEW ROCHELLE, NY

 
November 21, 2014
 
We copy below the commentary written by Despina Kartson of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, New Rochelle, NY who organizes the Philoptochos “Soup Run” that ministers to homeless adults who live on the streets of Manhattan.  This project is supported by Philoptochos volunteers who work behind the scenes and on the streets, Fr. Nick Anctil, Proistamenos, and by the entire Holy Trinity family who are instrumental in sustaining this effort.  
 
On the last Thursday of the month, volunteers from Holy Trinity, New Rochelle, NY go to the streets near Penn Station in Manhattan to minister to those whose ‘home’ is the streets near Penn Station. Volunteers prepare and distribute hot food, seasonally appropriate clothing, underwear and toiletries. Perhaps more importantly, they bring friendship - the Holy Trinity volunteers do not refer to the population they serve as “clients” or just as “homeless adults” – rather, they refer to them as “friends”, especially since they have a ‘following’ – many of whom they see each month.   
 
After each “Soup Run”, Despina sends out an email to the volunteers – and more – recapping the night’s events.  We post her reflections about last night’s Soup Run with the hope that you will be moved to participate in and/or replicate projects such as this in your own communities.   
 
Paulette Geanacopoulos 
National Philoptochos Department of Social Work
11.21.2014
 
Dear All –
 
Thanksgiving came early for 120 of our friends on the street last night when we served warm turkey meals and all the fixings – stuffing, cranberry sauce and potatoes, cookies and juice.  They were thankful for the delicious meal and the many warm clothes, socks, underwear and toiletries that we distributed.
 
Imagine some of the ways in which people survive: two sisters said they live on the street but that God provides for them – they serve food at a soup kitchen to other homeless three times a week so at least they know they can eat there. And they were most appreciative of our food. And then there was one man asking for a meal just as we ran out. Another man who was eating our meal offered to share his food with him when seemingly out of the blue, we found one more meal and gave it to him. We were also able to share a hug with a woman who said it would be her first Thanksgiving without her mother who recently passed away – she just wanted a hug, wanted the connection to another.
 
Thank you to Angie Lambros for sponsoring the soup run, John Krondos for cooking, Cynthia Hertzegovitch, Constance Mavrovitis and Kathleen Haverlack for sorting the clothing and toiletries, Sylvia Chandras for coffee and juice and for the many Holy Trinity parishioners who support this moving and worthwhile homeless outreach project.  We offer special thanks and gratitude at this time of year when we consider all that has been given to us and all that we have to give to others.   Happy Thanksgiving!  Please join us next month on December 18.
 
 
Volunteer comments:
 
Cynthia:  I think it’s all about the people-to-people connection in this day of devices - the woman who just wanted a hug - because in the end, that is what we miss the most when people are gone.  It’s why the picture of my dad in my wallet is not a portrait but of him giving me a hug.
 
Maria:  Each time we do our "Run" we are reminded of the awesome power and gentility of God's love.   It teaches me humility and the gift God has given us of each other. 
 
From the Soup Run in August:  As we were giving out food and clothing a gentleman approached and asked how he could help.  He said that he saw we were doing God's work and wanted in some small way to be a part of it.  His name was Khadi and he was from Saudi Arabia.  He took my hand and placed a $50 bill in it and said, "I want to help you buy food."  We thanked each other and as quickly as he came upon us, he was gone. 
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