SAN ANTONIO (Mennonite Mission Network/Catholic Network of Volunteer Services) – On Saturday, November 11, 2006, DOOR San Antonio (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) received the Father George Mader Award in honor of their work in promoting faith-based volunteerism in the San Antonio community. Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS) presents the award annually to an organization or individual that promotes and advances faith-based volunteer service.
The DOOR program in San Antonio was formerly known as SALSA (Service and Learning in San Antonio). DOOR is a partner program of Mennonite Mission Network that welcomes church groups of all denominations from across the United States and Canada to serve and learn in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami and San Antonio.
Hugo Saucedo, DOOR national program director located in San Antonio, received the award. “I’m appreciative of CNVS for their recognition of our program. It’s a reminder to us that the work we do is important,” Saucedo said.
DOOR works in partnership with local helping agencies including homeless shelters, food pantries and community outreach organizations. As its learning component, DOOR also brings in speakers to share with groups about issues like immigration, economic and social policy, and poverty that affect the San Antonio community.
Each year, approximately 50 groups of 35-40 people from across the country come to San Antonio to work with DOOR. While many of the groups are composed mainly of young people, DOOR is open to people of all ages who want to “see the face of God in the city.”
Ruth Polston, director of San Antonio Alternative Housing Corporation‘s Repair and Modification Program (RAMP ), said “Not only do people come to serve, they learn what serving is about.” RAMP has hosted between 8-15 DOOR church groups per year in the past nine years.
The Mader Award is named in honor of Fr. George Mader, co-founder of CNVS. Mennonite Voluntary Service, a program of Mennonite Mission Network, received the award in 2004.
