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Spanish-speaking counseling clients get help from friends |
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By Julie Pfitzinger - For The Catholic Spirit
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Tuesday, 01 June 2010 |
As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Emilia Godinez understands that many recent immigrants to this country have stories to share that are, in her words, “beyond the pale.”
Emilia Godinez, a psychotherapist for Catholic Charities, is helping to raise money to provide counseling for immigrants through a concert being given by several of her musician friends June 26 at St. Cecilia in Minneapolis. Godinez talked with them about the need to provide funding for counseling, and the friends proposed the idea of a benefit concert. Photo by Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Many are suffering from the effects of the difficult economy, worried about their families, and in need of a fluent Spanish speaker willing to listen to them and help lighten their emotional burdens.
Godinez, a psychotherapist, is a member of the counseling services staff
at Catholic Charities in St. Paul and the only counselor who speaks
Spanish. Though she is committed to helping those in need, Godinez said
the economy has made her job more challenging.
The number of potential clients to the counseling department at
Catholic Charities who lack the insurance to pay for mental health
services has risen by more than 70 percent in the past year. At the same
time, the waiting list for counseling services has doubled in recent
months; the organization also noted an increased need among members of
the Hispanic community.
“Because of the economic downturn, there is just not as much money
available from Catholic Charities for counseling services,” said
Godinez, who has been on staff since January. “For those who want
counseling, if they do not have insurance, it is unlikely they would
be able to pay out-of-pocket costs for a session. It is prohibitive for
them.”
A few weeks ago, Godinez was talking with some of her friends, who are
musicians, about the number of people in need of mental health services
from Catholic Charities who are facing a roadblock when it comes to
paying for those services.
Benefit concert
» What: “Panorama”: A Benefit Concert for Catholic Charities Counseling Division.
» Time: 7 p.m.
» Date: Saturday, June 26.
» Place: Church of St. Cecilia, 2357 Bayless Place, St. Paul.
Tickets are $20 at the door, or call Nora at (651) 647-3164 to reserve tickets in advance or to make a donation. All proceeds benefit Catholic Charities counseling services.
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Generous friends step up
Godinez was touched by “the incredibly generous spirit” of her friends,
who suggested putting on a benefit concert specifically for the Catholic
Charities counseling division as a way to help members of the Latino
population receive the care they need.
The concert is not sponsored by Catholic Charities; proceeds from this
fundraiser will be contributed to the counseling services department and
used to provide financial assistance to clients.
Godinez’ friends took their idea one step further — they invited Julia
Bogorad, principal flutist for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, to
participate in the event at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 26, at the Church of
St. Cecilia in St. Paul, and she agreed.
Bob Hindel, a Twin Cities pianist and composer and friend to both
Bogorad and Godinez, is creating a program called “Panorama: Music from
Across the Centuries and Around the World” for the benefit concert.
“Since Catholic Charities reaches out to people from all around the
world, I thought this theme would be appropriate,” Hindel said.
Bogorad, an internationally acclaimed flutist, will be playing a flute
sonata by Handel, a piece by Paul Hindemith and another piece by Albert
Roussel entitled “Jouers de Flûte,” which highlights flutists
throughout the centuries.
There will also be a suite of pieces written by Hindel featuring several
musical styles such as Latin American, Chinese, gypsy and the blues.
Godinez said she is hopeful that the generous efforts of her musical
friends will have a positive impact on the counseling division of
Catholic Charities.
“I always say that the minute a client has the wherewithal to call a
mental health professional, that is when the healing process begins. It
is a difficult step,” she said.
“To see them as soon as possible and to have money available to help
them right away will make such a difference.”
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