Each neon sticker identifies an individual suffering from a life threatening illness. When one of those patients does not appear for treatment, the staff of the outreach center steps out into the community to locate her.

Only a few feet and a stairway away is a window that separates a small office from a line of people forming outside. Each day, dozens of sandwiches and toiletry bags are served, along with a friendly face and compassionate conversation.

Individuals come to receive food and water and apply for temporary housing. Some 1,000 people come to retrieve their mail. Many are greeted by name.

Down the hall is the full service medical clinic where many disadvantaged, undocumented or simply uninsured members of the community are able to come and receive medical treatments, mental health counseling and substance abuse intervention.

In a nearby room, a dedicated caseworker sits at a mobile workstation, set up to facilitate a tight budget and limited space. Some of her clients come to the program to learn about reentry into society after incarceration. They seek employment. They discover the possibilities that will accompany a faith-filled life. They learn about kindness. And they learn about hope.

This is the scene that you will observe on any typical day that you take a trip to 80 South Market Street to visit or volunteer at The Window homeless outreach center.

Named after a small window that sits atop a short walkway next to the Cathedral, the center has anything but small effects on the needs of the impoverished members of its surrounding community.

An average of 200 people receive services from The Window each day it is open, five days a week. Over 25,000 disadvantaged members of the community are served each year.

The “Bridges of Hope” program there assists 1,000 individuals a year in reintegrating into society, teaching faith, love, autonomy and compassion.

Sharon Miller, the director of the Office of Social Ministry, described 2014 as the year of “saving families.” Through the dedicated efforts of the center, three separate families were nursed back to health and able to find housing and immigration assistance, keeping them together.

“They came to us broken.” Miller stated. “We helped fix them.”

The effective social ministry programs at the Cathedral Basilica survive solely off grants and donations, the Season of Hope concert series and the generosity of the community, volunteers and a very limited staff. With compassion, love and kindness, they are able to serve thousands of disadvantaged, underprivileged and displaced members of our community.

If you are interested in assisting this social ministry, you may donate to the Parish Outreach fund at the Catholic Community Foundation. The fund has granted to this wonderful program since 2009. You may also contact The Window directly to learn about volunteer and donation opportunities.

Much to my surprise, however, the discussions were not related to finance, tax or property distribution at all. In fact, the traditional components of a “Last Will and Testament” were not even mentioned. Rather, I was given an assignment. I was to spend my time there considering and writing an individual “legacy letter.”

What is a legacy letter you might ask?

A legacy letter is a document intended to record and share your values, faith, beliefs, lessons, hopes, love and forgiveness with family, friends and community. A legacy letter will include meaningful life memories, important life lessons and the messages that we would like to leave behind for our loved ones. For many of us, our legacy letter will reflect our Catholic values. It should tell a story of kindness, generosity and faith.

As I was guided through this process, I quickly learned that it was no simple task. How could I possibly narrow down an entire lifetime in such a manner? What would stand out as most valuable and with whom would I choose to share it?

I followed prompts and scribbled down memories, slowly learning to prioritize the various important life events and lessons of my own journey. I was able to take the time to consider and appreciate the gifts of family, friends and faith. The experience made a truly meaningful impact on my perception of the progression of life: where I have been, where I am today, and most importantly, where I want to be tomorrow.

At the conclusion of the workshop, I was left with more than just a few pieces of paper that represented my personal journey. I was inspired. I am inspired.

I am inspired by the thought that I have the opportunity today, to build my legacy for tomorrow: to live my faith each day and to leave a meaningful impact on my community.

I encourage you to take a moment to imagine what would happen if you were no longer here tomorrow. How might you be remembered? How would you want to be remembered? Would the two stories coincide?

Consider writing your own legacy letter. Know how you would want your family, friends and community to remember you. Live each day in preparation of your legacy. Build upon the foundation of faith that you have been blessed with, and be gracious for where you’ve been, where you will go and the support you receive along the way.

Jamie began the afterschool homework program at the Sacred Heart Education Center in first grade. His family does not speak English. Communication barriers caused him to struggle academically.

“Our objective was to focus on his English reading and writing skills,” said Betsy Preciado, the Center’s director who is also a retired teacher and administrator.

“Jamie is now in the sixth grade. He has improved beyond his grade level and is an excellent writer. Just like his fellow students, Jamie is constantly encouraged by the sense of accomplishment that accompanies academic achievement. He aspires to be a famous author, lawyer or even a priest.”

The Education Center at Sacred Heart began as the vision of Father Mateo Sheedy. His efforts and dedication led to funding from the City of San Jose and the start of what was known as the Homework Program. After Father Sheedy’s death, funding cuts threatened to end the program. Sacred Heart stepped in, along with the Catholic Community Foundation and many generous donors who raised funds to keep the doors open.

The Center provides tutoring services to students of low-income families that are at academic risk due to many factors, including a lack of an English-speaking household or access to educational assistance programs. It also offers free English courses to parents who desire to improve the homework environment of their children by gaining the knowledge they need to assist in English reading and writing.

The majority of the Center’s tutors are college students from the Arrupe Partnerships for Community program at Santa Clara University. Others are neighborhood youth who donate their time to help their younger peers.

Take for example, Ryan. Ryan has excelled academically and studies at Bellarmine in San Jose. He is busy with college preparatory courses and volunteer work with his high school youth group but continues to come in to help out at the Education Center nearly every day.

“All the students love him. He is a great role model and tutor,” Betsy states. “He enjoys our students and sees the needs of the community. The seeds of service are planted firmly in this young man.”

Many of the Center’s graduates have gone on to receive bachelor’s degrees from Santa Clara University, San Jose State University and other noteworthy institutions. They are now working in the community, giving back with compassion to the neighbors who nurtured them as students.

”Former students always remember our program,” added Betsy. “Many continue to volunteer and are resources to us. Our program builds wonderful stepping stones to success. They are thankful for this.”

Witnessing the impact that the program has had upon student achievement and collaboration between student, tutor and parent has inspired Betsy to plan for the Center’s future success stories: “Our next goal is to provide a basic computer training course.”

You can help the Sacred Heart of Jesus Education Center and our community youth achieve their goals by donating to the Parish Outreach Fund at the Catholic Community Foundation. Please visit www.cfoscc.org for more information.

A planned gift is simple: it is a gift that is planned. The plan can be written in your will or created by the terms of a trust instrument or gift annuity. However, regardless of the type of gift you choose to leave, it is important to know that planned gifts are so much more than simple donations. They are legacy plans, giving you the power to determine how your family and community will remember you after you are gone.

There are many types of planned gifts. The most common type is a bequest. A bequest is a statement made in a will demonstrating the intention to leave a portion of an estate to a beneficiary such as a family member, charity or parish. There are different types of bequests and they receive different treatments under the law. The most effective way to ensure that your bequest is treated and distributed the way you desire is to keep it as simple as possible. For example, consider leaving a percentage of your estate rather than a specific piece of property.

There are also planned gifts that provide you with income. If you are interested in receiving a charitable tax deduction as well as annual payments for life in addition to your gift, you could consider setting up a charitable gift annuity. You will be guaranteed payments for your lifetime. Any remaining balance will become part of your legacy, a gift to the organization you chose.

Planned gifts offer you tax advantages, ranging from simple estate tax deductions to complex offsets of capital gains. Most importantly, however, these gifts provide an opportunity for you to affect those you love long after you unite with God in Heaven. We can show our gratitude for the gifts we have cultivated with the love and support of our parish communities by nurturing our churches and loved ones through responsible legacy planning.

When planning your legacy, consider leaving a percentage of your estate to your parish or another Catholic ministry, after you have determined what plan is best for you and your family. It can be a gift to an existing endowment fund or can be used to establish a new fund. Consider naming your parish or your parish school as beneficiary to a charitable gift annuity or life insurance policy. There are many simple ways to give that require very little means. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a large number to make a truly meaningful impact on your community.

If you are interested in learning more about planned giving and other types of gifts, you can contact the Catholic Community Foundation of Santa Clara County or a legal or financial advisor in your area. You should always seek independent professional advice when considering your legacy plans.

Your legacy is timeless. Take the time to make it faithful and enduring.