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Cedar Rapids - Site Visit

Tapping our Strength

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

By Sister Jan Cebula, OSF

September 20, 2014

Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “They’re helping me find my strong woman inside. It had been crowded out by negativity.” Words of wisdom from Deborah, whom we met at the Catherine McCauley Center on Day Four.  We were all deeply moved by Carlotta, Amy and Deborah as they shared their personal journeys of transformation from abuse, addiction and prison. “My past doesn’t define who I am today. I’m responsible, acceptable, healthy,” Carlotta told us. We could feel her strength and courage. “I have a passion for change” Amy, who serves on a state commission on homelessness, declared.

Erik, a refugee from Africa, beamed as he looks forward to voting for the first time in November. Charles, who helped him learn English and study for the citizenship test, had tears in his eyes. Wendy, the education program manager, told us they served immigrants from 53 countries last year. Forty three people are on the waiting list. “In Cedar Rapids, Iowa!” I thought. Indeed, we are a country of immigrants.

As we toured the facility, it was clear that Paula Land, the Executive Director, Jennifer Tibbets, the Housing Program Manager, all the staff and the volunteers are focused on the needs of those they serve. Down to the details. Making sure the women feel safe, at home. Finding new approaches for helping people learn English. Learning from those they serve. Everyone being transformed. Changing their community through their dedication and commitment.

As we prepared to leave and people stepped up to sign the bus, I was acutely aware how much Deborah, Carlotta and Amy want to vote, but are prevented from doing so by the governor’s policy change regarding criminal convictions. We have work to do. It’s why we are on the bus.

I thought of people, like Erik, all across our country working hard to support their families, desperately needing a raise in the minimum wage. We have work to do. It’s why we are on the bus.

Our stop at the McCauley Center was a microcosm of what we have experienced all across Iowa. People who deeply care about others, their communities, our country and the future of our democracy. People working for change. People engaged. Together.

Tapping into our strength as We the People. Crowding out the negativity. We’ve felt the energy.

Site Visit at Catherine McCauley Center, Cedar Rapids, IA

Meeting at the McCauley Center

By Sister Marge Clark, BVM

September 20, 2014

The Nuns on the Bus were welcomed to visit the educational and the transitional housing programs, meeting and talking with students and residents, as well as with staff. There are many men and women learning English, history and otherwise preparing for citizenship exams. Many continue work to improve their English beyond that level, even after becoming citizens.

They are enthusiastic about the prospect of voting, once they are citizens.

The transitional housing program supports women without children; many arrive directly from prison release. Those we heard from were open about their struggles, what led them to prison – and about their hurt and frustration about being unable to vote. Amy said, "As people required to follow the laws, we should have input into the system." How very true! It was shocking to learn that the previous two governors had allowed convicted felons to vote once they fulfilled their time in prison and parole. Governor Branstad reversed this, saying that they had to provide regular monthly payments toward restitution before being allowed to vote. They are very hurt by this.

Each of the women spoke to the work of the Center in helping them to regain their sense of self-respect and confidence in being able to be contributing members of society. The McCauley Center provides self-esteem and more intense mental health services to residents, and two referenced their gratitude. When Debbie was diagnosed with diabetes, having just been released from prison, she had no money, and didn't yet have health insurance (prior to ACA). Jennifer, one of the staff members reached into her pocket and pulled out the money for the needed test strips. And, reached into Debbie's heart! No one had ever given from their own resources to meet one of her needs. However, plenty of people had provided her with illegal drugs.

Amy has been in the program for three years, and is working with a group of returning citizens to retrieve their voting privilege. She was thrilled to know that there are two senators proposing to reinstate rights, and improve the status of returning citizens.

Carlotta is the newest resident, released from prison just three weeks ago. It was difficult to get her into the program, as upon release persons are supposed to go back to their home area, to facilitate the work of parole officers. However, she made the case for not returning to Burlington, as those with whom she had gotten into trouble were there, and would seek her out. She is intent on not returning to a destructive lifestyle. The power and conviction of these women is such a tribute to the work of the McCauley Center housing program.

Eric, a young man from Africa, is a student at the Center. He is so excited to vote for the first time in November since he recently became a citizen. He and his McCauley Center teacher both spoke to their pride in him and so many other immigrants working hard to improve their English and their lives. Eric is working in Waterloo, an hour away, at minimum wage. He left to meet up with a carpool to go to Waterloo for a day of overtime, for which they were grateful.

It was such an exhilarating experience to interact with these tremendous people. The thirty-plus other people who came to share were equally touched, and we were all excited to have these clients of the McCauley Center sign the bus. We gave Amy "I am a Voter" buttons, as her group has downloaded the voter support materials from the Nuns on the Bus website and is using them to make voting possible for people in the area! They truly are voting with their actions.