[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ST. CLARE'S HOME: SERVING HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN NORTH SAN 
                              DIEGO COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 4, 1997

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Sister Clare 
Frawley and her St. Clare's Home, located in Escondido, CA, in my 
congressional district.
  During the recent district work period, I had the privilege of 
visiting St. Clare's Home for myself. What I found was a true refuge 
where women and children in tremendous need could find real hope. In 
those tragic instances where people are victims of domestic violence, 
child abuse, or worse, in North San Diego County they have the loving 
arms of St. Clare's Home to find hope and rest. Furthermore, the St. 
Clare's Home staff work to prevent child abuse, domestic violence, 
substance abuse and sexual abuse in the community through educational 
and other programs. All together, St. Clare's Home provides emergency 
shelter, a maternity home complete with prenatal care and child-rearing 
education, a transitional program, a child care and learning center, 
substance abuse treatment programs, a counseling center, and much more.
  I came away impressed and humbled by the love and care that Sister 
Clare Frawley and her staff put into the work of St. Clare's Home. They 
are truly doing the Lord's work in our community.
  I ask that the following statement, a history of St. Clare's Home, be 
entered into the permanent Record of the Congress of the United States, 
as a thankful tribute to their staff's work in the community I 
represent.

                    The History of St. Clare's Home

       In 1983, Sister Claire Frawley founded St. Clare's Home. 
     Before that time there was no shelter facility for homeless 
     women and children in North County. Sister Claire recognized 
     the urgent need when a young pregnant woman with two small 
     children arrived at the door of her Youth Ministry. They had 
     not eaten in two days and were in despair. There was no 
     shelter facility to help them. Armed with a firm resolution 
     and a prayer, Sister Claire took them home with her for the 
     weekend. Shortly thereafter, she rented a house for this 
     little family and another young mother in need. As they came 
     to her door, the poor, the tired, the hungry and the hurt, 
     Sister Claire found more beds and more food . . . and so 
     Saint Clare's Home began.
       From the very beginning, St. Clare's Home has been a 
     community leader in the prevention of child abuse and 
     domestic violence. 90% of St. Clare's residents come from 
     domestic violence and sexual abuse with substance abuse 
     addictions as a result of the street life they've endured.
       It became the mission of Sister Claire Frawley to provide 
     food, shelter, clothing, medical care, transportation, 
     psychological counseling, continuing education, job skills 
     training, encouragement and unconditional love. Most of St. 
     Clare's young residents have never known unconditional caring 
     or lived in an environment of emotional support. Their 
     emotional response to these acts of kindness is simply 
     overwhelming. Their letters and poems of gratitude, pictures 
     and art decorate Sister Claire's office and the hallways of 
     St. Clare's administrative office. Even St. Clare's Home logo 
     is a loving reminder of a small child who simply drew a 
     picture with the caption, ``I love my home.'' This small 
     picture appears on each piece of letterhead and business card 
     at St. Clare's Home.
       Over the years, St. Clare's Home has evolved into a public 
     nonprofit nondenominational agency serving over 3,250 
     homeless women and children throughout the County. Today, St. 
     Clare's operates eight residential shelter homes supervised 
     by trained Case Managers and the Little Angels Learning 
     Center for children's day care, play therapy and counseling 
     services. The recent addition of a Counseling and Resource 
     Center provided the opportunity to expand educational and 
     program services. This new facility has served to enhance the 
     women's perspective with broader exposure, motivated their 
     desire for personal growth, assisted them in goal setting and 
     achievement, and boosted their self confidence . . . all 
     steps toward their ultimate goals: self worth and 
     independence.
       Homeless women and children may stay at St. Clare's Home 
     for 2 years. Although predicting the time it takes to repair 
     a broken spirit is nearly impossible, St. Clare's Home sets 
     precedent for program longevity in San Diego County, 
     providing aftercare services to assure a successful 
     transition to independence. St. Clare's Home is funded by 
     generous corporations like UPS, foundations, individuals and 
     government grants. St. Clare's Thrift Shoppe receives inkind 
     gifts and has the loyal support of longtime volunteers and 
     service clubs.

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