COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | November 21, 2017
7
Saved Three Times by Catholic Agencies
By Adelene Gallego Ramos
Linh Pham was rescued by Catholic
agencies three times in his life. Now
an elder in the Vietnamese American
community in San Jose, California,
Linh is a recent survivor of the Coy-
ote Creek fl ood. Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County came into his life
after Linh and his family left his home
in despair due to the fl ood.
Linh and his family were given
immediate assistance with rent at
his temporary home. After being
displaced for about three months, his
family was cleared to return home,
and Catholic Charities assisted with
rent, furniture, and household items.
The Catholic Church always seemed
to show up every time Linh was in
need. The fi rst time was when he was
a child in Vietnam. It was 1954. The
French fell and Linh and his family
escaped from North Vietnam to South
Vietnam for safety. They were helped
by the Catholic community, and were
given shelter, food and clothing.
The second t ime t he Cat holic
“I don’t know why, but for
some reason, when life
seems to be most diffi cult,
the Catholic Church shows up
to help. Thanks to Catholic
Charities, I am optimistic that
we will get back on our feet.”
Linh Pham had to leave his home due to the
devastating Coyote Creek Flood, and when he
needed help, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara
County was there for him.
Church appeared in Linh’s life was
when he fl ed Vietnam as a refugee
in 1975. He was resettled by Catholic
Charities in the United States. Linh
and his family were given rental assis-
tance and had help fi nding jobs. They
were able to become self-suffi cient in
an unknown land.
Linh thought that his days of suf-
fering through disaster has ended,
but little did he know, in February
2017, his family would be in the direct
path of the Coyote Creek Flood. Every-
thing that he had worked to build in
America was lost in a blink of an eye.
Still reeling from the quick turn of
events, Linh once again was rescued
by a Catholic agency...this time in the
form of Catholic Charities of Santa
Clara County.
“I could not believe that the Coyote
Creek Flood would leave us home-
less,” said Linh. “I worked so hard for
so many years to build a good life for
my family in San Jose. I don’t know
why, but for some reason, when life
seems to be most diffi cult, the Catholic
Church shows up to help. Thanks to
Catholic Charities, I am optimistic that
we will get back on our feet.”
“Catholic Charities has been serv-
ing our Vietnamese American neigh-
bors for 38 years,” said Gregory R.
Kepferle, CEO of Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County. “We have always
been there for the Vietnamese Ameri-
can community and they have always
been there for us. We are touched that
Linh thinks of us almost like family.”
To learn more about our work in di-
saster recovery after the Coyote Creek
Flood, visit www.catholiccharitiesscc.
org/fl ood-relief.
To learn more about our work
helping resettle refugees, please visit
www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/refugee-
resettlement.
EXPERIENCE
MERCY
NEW PROGRAM!
Spirituality in Leadership
Tools and teaching to grow in the ministry of
leadership with Mary Waskowiak, RSM, and
others. Begins in January 2018.Apply soon –
some financial aid available.
People You Trust
Caring for People You Love
Our Elder Care Specialist will help you with:
• Home Care (Personal care, housekeeping and companionship)
• Appointments, errands and transportation
• Post Hospitalization Rest and Recovery
• Coordinating Life Transitions
• Community and Home based Services
Mercy Center Burlingame
www.mercy-center.org
For more information, email [email protected].
Call Our Elder Care Line (408) 831-0441