WBT Monthly Meeting Minutes March 19, 2017 Jowonio School Women gathered for our third Lifecycle topic: Marriage, Family and Divorce. Chairs were arranged in a circle around the panel table. Refreshments were available throughout the meeting. President Betty Lamb called the meeting to order at 3:15 pm with an opening reflection “First things First.” If we were to put God first, other people second, and the rest of life’s concerns third it would turn our values upside down and give us a different perspective. The WTB Mission Statement and Safe Place Declaration were read. Betty made three brief announcements:

- • The InterFaith Works Roundtable is concerned that current federal restrictions have dramatically hurt local agencies helping refugees. Betty provided a list of phone numbers and asked us to call state officials (especially Gov. Cuomo, John DeFransisco, and John Flanigan) to urge money be put in the NYS budget to help these agencies function through this time.
- • Daryl Files and Penny Hart are facilitators for IFW’s upcoming Seeking Common Ground Dialogues. Sign-up sheets were available for those wishing to participate.
- • Ronald McDonald house is hosting a fundraising fashion show Tuesday, April 11 and is looking for volunteers and attendees.

Betty introduced our panelists for today’s topic “Marriage, Family, and Divorce.” Saro Kumar, a retired physician who has lived in Malaysia, India and the United States, attended Catholic schools and will speak to the Buddhist/Hindu philosophy. Judy Alderman, semi-retired United Methodist pastor, will Joan Burstyn, professor emerita at Syracuse University, co- represent the Methodist viewpoint. author of Searching for God: Study Partners Explore Contemporary Jewish Texts, mother of two rabbis and a chemistry professor, will represent Judaism and its American Conservative denomination. Jenni Gratien, Executive Director of Chadwick Residence, a program supporting homeless women, has degrees in Public Justice, Adolescence, and a background working with child protective services and BOCES. She raised her family in the Catholic faith and is currently a lector and member of her parish council. Each panelist will have about 10 minutes to share thoughts and answer questions. Jenni Gratien began by explaining the history and mission of Chadwick Residence. For 30 years this small organization has provided housing and services for homeless women. These women may have mental health, addiction, or abuse challenges or just simply find themselves homeless. Residents can stay as long as necessary and receive intensive case management and education in parental, literacy, career, and independent living skills. The residence off Valley Drive supports 17 women and 12 children in a setting that is staffed 24 hours a day; residents with disabilities needing permanent services can rent community apartments through the agency. Pertinent to our discussion today, Chadwick Residence is a place that tries to heal the brokenness of families. In 1980’s the social norm of post-war nuclear families (father working, mother at home) began to fall apart under the feminist movement and other social pressures. When families and marriages breakdown, women need help and skills to start independent lives. Most women who come to Chadwick Residence are young single mothers or women in their late 40s coming out of unhealthy marriages. While not a faith-based organization, Chadwick does offer opportunities for its residents to connect or reconnect with faith traditions. Women come in broken— some angry—and as they heal many find connecting with a religion can bring positive changes in their lives. Questions centered on the challenge of finding affordable, decent housing in Syracuse.