International Order of Alhambra - Porto Caravan #104 Service & Support

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

SERVICE AND SUPPORT

Porto Caravan makes charitable contributions to the International Order of Alhambra and to a number of local charities. The principle sources of funds for these contributions are church collections and newspaper recycling. All money from church collections are for the Caravan's Special "Kids-Special Needs" program. Currently these funds go to Paul VI Catholic High School Options Program, and the Diocese "Keyboards for Kids" program. Earnings from newspaper recycling provide funds for contributions to the International Order and for local charities that assist persons developmentally disabled. Brief descriptions and information about the charities which Porto Caravan supports follow:

PAUL VI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS PROGRAM

Paul VI Catholic High School Options Program provides a quality modified inclusive education in a Catholic Christian environment for high school age students with developmental disabilities. PVI Options nurtures the maturation of inquisitive, creative, confident and motivated students. The goal is to maximize students' potential while enabling their independence. A primary goal for each student is to be as fully integrated as possible into the total life of the school community. The program serves students with mild and moderate mental retardation. Each Options student is assigned a peer mentor and must take core curriculum classes designed to their individual needs. Paul VI students generously sign up to be peer mentors for students in the Options program.

KEYBOARDS FOR KIDS PROGRAM

The Office of Catholic Schools for the Arlington Diocese conducts a Keyboard for Kids program. This program provides students who have learning and/or physical disabilities with an easy to use word processor for note-taking, spreadsheets, and composition purposes. The device allows students to enter and edit text. Information can then be sent to a computer for formatting or directly to a printer. The AlphaSmart is the device used in the diocese. It is smaller and more portable than a computer and provides students the opportunity to learn in spite of their disabilities.

GABRIEL HOMES, INC.

Gabriel Homes, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization which provides community residential programs and a supportive, homelike environment for adults with developmental disabilities. Residents must be 18 years or older, live in Fairfax County, Virginia, and must have been diagnosed as mentally retarded. Gabriel Homes advocates a society which fosters the rights and potentials of these persons. It is dedicated to:

Providing residential placement and skills training for adults with developmental disabilities;

Fully integrating residents into the communities in which their homes are located;

Representing and advocating support for the needs of persons with disabilities;

Refocusing public perceptions of the abilities of persons with disabilities to make significant contributions to their communities;

Fostering involvement of the community in serving the needs of persons with disabilities;

Maintaining and strengthening the partnership of professionals and volunteers;

Expanding the donor base which helps to support Gabriel Homes efforts;

Opening additional group homes, apartments, and other community living alternatives to serve those in need.

Gabriel Homes presently administers four homes, and a fifth is scheduled to open soon. All are located in Fairfax County, Virginia. The one located in Herndon, Virginia is an Alhambra House, and the home for six residents. Gabriel Homes is a recipient of Porto Caravan’s annual charitable donations.

Past Grand Commander T. Patrick Hammeke is a past president of Gabriel Homes, Inc. The current president is Rev. Bob Cilinski. Fr. Cilinski is the Pastor of All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, Virginia.

CENTRAL FAIRFAX SERVICES

Central Fairfax Services (CFS) is a non-profit company providing employment for more than two hundred adults with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy and related disabilities. It provides an opportunity for these persons to learn new skills, socialize, earn wages and participate in community activities. This type of company is commonly known as a sheltered workshop.

CFS bids on commercial jobs involving mailings, printing and duplication. They have been processing Porto Caravan’s monthly newsletter and mail-outs for our charity projects for more than five years. CFS has done an outstanding job on all our requested tasks. Porto has been supporting the efforts of this great organization with an annual donation for more than ten years.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

	Porto Caravan #104 is honored by its partnership with Fairfax Special Olympics. Porto sponsors the Special Olympics Group Home Basketball League in Northern Virginia. This is the only basketball league in the world founded for the exclusive use of athletes with mental retardation residing in group homes. Porto has sponsored this league since its inception in 1990. Porto's annual donation pays for gym space, uniforms, equipment and expenses for two group home teams to travel to the annual Virginia Special Olympics State games. There are currently ten teams in the league. Porto is pleased that Gabriel Homes (home of our Alhambra House) is the current defending champion.
Also, Porto participates in the Fairfax Special Olympics Track and Field Meet held every year on the first Saturday in May. Our Sir Nobles and Sultanas manage and judge the Standing Long Jump venue. This is a favorite event, giving us the opportunity to interact with many of the competing Special Olympians. Last year over 100 athletes participated in the long jump and over 300 athletes in the entire meet.
Porto is proud of its support of God's Special Athletes!

ASSOCIATION FOR RETARDED CITIZENS
OF GREATER PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

This association has programs that serve 700 children, teens and adults with mental retardation in Prince William County. It operates two child care centers serving 80 children and teens with mental retardation, six group homes and a supported living program for adults, a day support program, two vocational programs, recreation, respite care, transportation and family support programs.

VILLA MARIA

The Villa Maria Work/Study Centre, Ltd., is a private non-profit, non-discriminatory, day center for adults, eighteen years and older, that are developmentally disabled. The five day, year around program offers their clients individual planned programs as deemed appropriate; academic enhancements in basic reading, math, spelling communication/vocational training, community service projects and planned socials. Most of all to accomplish in each client a sense of confidence and self-esteem with a growth of friendships and to encourage a respect for their purpose and their possibilities in life.

WILDFLOUR BREAD MILL

Wildflour Bread Mill is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing training and meaningful employment for folks with developmental disabilities. Its workers are men and women, ages 21-53, with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness, autism and other physical disabilities. Some live in group homes. Some live with their families. Pictured at right, Grand Scribe Eugene Sheehan visits with some of the staff of the Wildflour Bread Mill.

FR. McCROSSAN SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to participating in the Scholarship program of the International Order of Alhambra, Porto Caravan has a memorial fund dedicated to Father Joseph McCrossan, a Chaplain to Porto Caravan at the time of his death. Scholarships are awarded annually to students living or teaching in the Commonwealth of Virginia, training in special education and attending an accredited college or university in the United States. Recently, Porto broadened the scope of this program to include scholarships for high school students that are developmentally disabled and instituted additional fund raising efforts to cover these costs.

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