Pat Torrington and other volunteers with Catholic Community Services understand that families — whether they are comprised of one or 100 — matter.
The organization will celebrate that philosophy at Family Matters In The Great Southwest on Jan. 28 at the Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 10000 N. Oracle Road.
“I think this is an opportunity to educate people about the many wonderful programs that Catholic Community Services offer for families of all sizes and configurations. It is important for people to realize that these programs don’t just serve Catholics. They are open to everyone, no matter what religion, culture or ethnic background,” said Torrington, president of the organization’s corporate board of directors and chair of the upcoming fundraiser.
The annual gala will raise funds for more than 40 CCS programs that provide services for families in nine counties throughout Southern Arizona. In the process, it will highlight the diversity of the group’s programs and celebrate three unique local families: Pat and Marilou Lopez and their family; Pedro and Rosario Morales; and Moriah Muñoz.
Each family, while very different, sets a heroic example in the community, according to the charity’s Chief Executive Officer Peg Harmon.
“We are honoring the Lopez family who are heroes in their own right by supporting the community through active involvement and spearheading philanthropy to many different organizations including CCS. Our two other families — Pedro and Rosario Morales and Moriah Muñoz — have been heroic in their lives as well. They have met challenging situations and responded in ways that have helped them as individuals and allowed them to succeed in supporting their children and improving their lives,’ Harmon said.
Pat and Marilou, both graduates of Salpointe Catholic High School and the University of Arizona, have carried on a legacy of giving rooted in their parents and grandparents.
The Lopez family, which dates back to Tucson in the 1880s, boasts volunteers for organizations ranging from Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to the Pima County Merit System; Marilou’s family, the Tornquists, were active in Knights of Columbus, Rotary and many other community organizations.
Marilou’s mother was a founding member of CCS Merilac Lodge, a residential program for pregnant teens and young mothers and their babies that promotes infant bonding and parenting skills along with personal development and education.
Pat and Marilou and their daughters — Katie, Melissa and Elise — have championed organizations such as Arts For All, Reachout Women’s Center, Tu Nidito, Catholic Tuition Support Organization, Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson, Salpointe Catholic High School Board and its foundation and many other nonprofits.
Harmon said the Morales family offers its own inspiration. Pedro and Rosario, who were both born deaf in Mexico, have overcome obstacles ranging from poverty, language barriers and lack of education to loss of family. After many years of hard work, Pedro became a U.S. citizen in 1996; Rosario was naturalized a few years later.
The couple and their four children, who continue to work to better their lives, make their home in Tucson and utilize the CCS Community Outreach Program for the Deaf to help interpret spoken and written English (reading bills, children’s school records, medical reports, etc.). The program also assists with obtaining and maintaining employment, supporting housing needs and connecting with community resources.
Another CCS program participant that shines brightly is Muñoz. Taken into foster care at age 13 due to her mother’s substance abuse, Muñoz was shuffled through group homes for four years. She ran away to rejoin her mother, became addicted to meth and was in jeopardy of losing her infant daughter, Karina, when she was given the option of going to Merilac Lodge. It was a turning point for Muñoz, who overcame her addiction and learned about parenting and conflict resolution along with money management and other life skills. After two years at Merilac Lodge, Muñoz was granted full custody of Karina and moved into her own apartment. She encourages other young mothers to seek CCS support to change their lives with the understanding that “sometimes you have to fall in order to get back up.”
Torrington believes that the stories of the Family Matters honorees will resonate with a broad audience and hopes they will help promote awareness about the unique programs offered by CCS, which often partners with government or social service organizations to maximize services to those in need.
“CCS does everything from providing child care and youth development to caring for seniors and housing for the elderly. Most people don’t realize how expansive their programs are. Wherever they see a need, they try to develop a program to meet that need. For example, they are currently working to develop a residential program for homeless people when they are discharged from the hospital. Other unique programs like COPD help to maximize independence and prevent isolation for people with hearing loss and other disabilities,” Torrington said.
The common thread through the various services is the emphasis of support for the family unit, no matter its size or shape, according to Harmon.
“The family unit is where we all learn how to be people. We all begin in the context of a family of some sort and all families need support and assistance. Sometimes they get that support from other members of the families and sometimes people need to reach out and get support from others. If we make our families strong, then children are strong and we will have a strong future for them and our community,” Harmon said.
