Catholic Charities Week
10
iiiApril 29, 2016 | catholicnewsherald.com
FROM THE COVER
April 29, 2016 | catholicnewsherald.comiii
Catholic Charities Week May 1-7: Strengthening families, building communities, reducing poverty
D
uring this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has called everyone to show the mercy of God to others. At Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, staff and volunteers strive every day to carry out the organized work of charity that serves so many thousands of people across the Diocese of Charlotte. Over the past year, Catholic Charities has helped more than 19,000 of our neighbors in need – thanks to the support of more than 1,800 donors, the commitment of nearly 500 volunteers, generous support from our parishes, and the prayers of our clergy. “Our dedicated, professional staff and volunteers demonstrate the Church’s profound respect for the dignity of those who come in need of help and support,” says Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director. “It is our goal that all who enter our doors experience genuine generosity, kindness, compassion and mercy in the name of our faith community. We can do no less. In our professional services, we seek to be a source of encouragement and empowerment to those seeking to transform the trajectory of their lives.” The words of Pope Francis sum up Catholic Charities’ efforts to be of service: “Serving
Ukraine : 11
Russia : 1 Romania : 2 Moldova : 10 Bhutan : 57
Kazakhstan : 11 Iraq : 15 Ethiopia : 1 Eritrea : 12 Congo : 1 Cuba : 94
Burma : 133 Cameroon : 5
‘Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.’ — Pope Francis
431,670
Counseling sessions & guidance for
74 at-risk youth
‘I MAKE A DIFFERENCE’
New programs in 2016
Catholic Charities maintains three regional food pantries in the diocese: Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. Last year, the agency provided nearly a half million pounds of food to 14,658 people. An additional 1,605 people received special assistance during the holidays. “It makes me feel good when my grandkids get up and they don’t have to say, ‘Nana, I’m hungry. We don’t have any food to eat?’ Just to hear that one time did something to me.” Gail is on disability and lives in a small apartment in Charlotte. Her son and his wife lost their jobs and moved in with her, along with their four children. Gail’s two other grandchildren were already living with her. She visits Catholic Charities every month for food and diapers when the family’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds (formerly called “food stamps”) run out. They also received holiday assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas, when Catholic Charities provided the family with gift cards for perishable food, a bin of holiday food, toys and clothing for the children. “All I could do was just cry. I am so grateful for Catholic Charities,” Gail said. Bridget is a counseling client at the Piedmont Triad Office in Winston-Salem. She has three adopted children, all with special needs. On a daily basis, she must overcome challenges others wouldn’t dare to face. Bridget came to Catholic Charities for support and help and with counseling she has grown in her relationship with her children and her husband, she has grown to be a better mom, and she feels more in touch spiritually. “It’s very therapeutic and I feel that a better person is emerging – a person who is not scared, but empowered. Empowered to make good changes and be a better mom and wife. I never feel judged. It’s always very loving and Christ-like.” Dolph and his wife Veronica have wanted to be parents for 10 years. After partnering with Catholic Charities, their prayers were answered with baby Samantha. “It is a great, great blessing to have her in our lives,” says Veronica. Dolph adds, “Everyone that we worked with earned our trust, our respect, and didn’t make false promises. They gave us reality and they gave us hope.”
Last year 510 volunteers donated 22,800 hours to help Catholic Charities serve more people in need. The agency cherishes these generous individuals. Volunteer opportunities are available for nearly every program – from stocking food pantry shelves, to chaperoning refugee children on summer field trips, to mentoring families. Volunteers come from a wide array of backgrounds, and each brings a special gift to the role. “It’s about serving the whole community,” says Bunny Cabiness, Asheville volunteer and board member. “I love seeing the benefit to each client whether it’s food, clothes, or a session in counseling. You know they appreciate the help. If they are here, we help the best we can.” Debbie Lyman also spends many hours volunteering at the Catholic Charities office in Asheville and serves as a board member. “Everyone is welcome. We support the community that needs our help.” She strives to make people feel welcome and comfort them during their time of need. “I love working with the other volunteers and staff. Since I retired, Catholic Charities has become my passion. I feel like I make a difference in the lives of the people we help.” New volunteers are always needed for different programs. Interested candidates can check out volunteer opportunities listed by office at www.ccdoc.org/volunteer.
Stay the Course
Stay the Course was established in the Winston-Salem office to help Winston-Salem area adults graduate from college and realize their educational goals. Catholic Charities workers serve as “navigators” to provide encouragement, support and resources to enroll in school, finance their education and graduate from college. One of the clients in this new program is Okima, who was enrolled in Forsyth Technical Community College last fall as one of the first clients in the new program. She was previously in the Catholic Charities teen parenting program and has a 2-year-old son. “My lifelong goals are to comfortably live and take care of my son. With going back to school, that’s the first step I can take to actually be able to do that. I just thank them so much for taking the time out to help me and other young parents, because without that encouragement, without that push, I would not have gone back to school.”
Transitions Out of Poverty
Catholic Charities’ Transitions Out of Poverty program is designed to work with people through intensive case management, focusing on a strength-based approach, to provide support and guidance with measurable outcomes. Caring caseworker “navigators” provide quality services and connect with the client to produce important life outcomes. Ongoing support and resource availability allow families and individuals to achieve their goals of rising out of poverty. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer mentor or know someone who may benefit from the program, contact Sharon Davis, Charlotte Regional Office Director, at SWDavis@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3218.
Azerbaijan : 3
Rwanda : 3
means giving an attentive welcome to a person who arrives. It means bending over those in need and stretching out a hand to them, without calculation, without fear, but with tenderness and understanding, just as Jesus knelt to wash the Apostles’ feet. Serving means working beside the neediest of people, establishing with them first and foremost human relationships of closeness and bonds of solidarity. It is not enough to offer someone a sandwich unless it is accompanied by the possibility of learning how to stand on one’s own two feet. Charity that leaves the poor person as he is, is not sufficient. True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer.” Notes Carter, “This special insert is just a small snapshot of the works of mercy and charity carried out in your name across the 46 counties of western North Carolina. Simple words but heartfelt emotion: Thank you for all that you do to serve our brothers and sisters in need. What you do matters. It matters a great deal.”
‘I NEVER FEEL JUDGED’
Afghanistan : 12
Somalia : 2
to deal with personal & family crises
pounds of food & 13,835 pounds of supplies to
14,658 people
Burundi : 2
11
iiiApril 29, 2016 | catholicnewsherald.com
FROM THE COVER
April 29, 2016 | catholicnewsherald.comiii
Catholic Charities Week May 1-7: Strengthening families, building communities, reducing poverty
D
uring this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has called everyone to show the mercy of God to others. At Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, staff and volunteers strive every day to carry out the organized work of charity that serves so many thousands of people across the Diocese of Charlotte. Over the past year, Catholic Charities has helped more than 19,000 of our neighbors in need – thanks to the support of more than 1,800 donors, the commitment of nearly 500 volunteers, generous support from our parishes, and the prayers of our clergy. “Our dedicated, professional staff and volunteers demonstrate the Church’s profound respect for the dignity of those who come in need of help and support,” says Dr. Gerard Carter, executive director. “It is our goal that all who enter our doors experience genuine generosity, kindness, compassion and mercy in the name of our faith community. We can do no less. In our professional services, we seek to be a source of encouragement and empowerment to those seeking to transform the trajectory of their lives.” The words of Pope Francis sum up Catholic Charities’ efforts to be of service: “Serving
Ukraine : 11
Russia : 1 Romania : 2 Moldova : 10 Bhutan : 57
Kazakhstan : 11 Iraq : 15 Ethiopia : 1 Eritrea : 12 Congo : 1 Cuba : 94
Burma : 133 Cameroon : 5
‘Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope.’ — Pope Francis
431,670
Counseling sessions & guidance for
74 at-risk youth
‘I MAKE A DIFFERENCE’
New programs in 2016
Catholic Charities maintains three regional food pantries in the diocese: Asheville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. Last year, the agency provided nearly a half million pounds of food to 14,658 people. An additional 1,605 people received special assistance during the holidays. “It makes me feel good when my grandkids get up and they don’t have to say, ‘Nana, I’m hungry. We don’t have any food to eat?’ Just to hear that one time did something to me.” Gail is on disability and lives in a small apartment in Charlotte. Her son and his wife lost their jobs and moved in with her, along with their four children. Gail’s two other grandchildren were already living with her. She visits Catholic Charities every month for food and diapers when the family’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds (formerly called “food stamps”) run out. They also received holiday assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas, when Catholic Charities provided the family with gift cards for perishable food, a bin of holiday food, toys and clothing for the children. “All I could do was just cry. I am so grateful for Catholic Charities,” Gail said. Bridget is a counseling client at the Piedmont Triad Office in Winston-Salem. She has three adopted children, all with special needs. On a daily basis, she must overcome challenges others wouldn’t dare to face. Bridget came to Catholic Charities for support and help and with counseling she has grown in her relationship with her children and her husband, she has grown to be a better mom, and she feels more in touch spiritually. “It’s very therapeutic and I feel that a better person is emerging – a person who is not scared, but empowered. Empowered to make good changes and be a better mom and wife. I never feel judged. It’s always very loving and Christ-like.” Dolph and his wife Veronica have wanted to be parents for 10 years. After partnering with Catholic Charities, their prayers were answered with baby Samantha. “It is a great, great blessing to have her in our lives,” says Veronica. Dolph adds, “Everyone that we worked with earned our trust, our respect, and didn’t make false promises. They gave us reality and they gave us hope.”
Last year 510 volunteers donated 22,800 hours to help Catholic Charities serve more people in need. The agency cherishes these generous individuals. Volunteer opportunities are available for nearly every program – from stocking food pantry shelves, to chaperoning refugee children on summer field trips, to mentoring families. Volunteers come from a wide array of backgrounds, and each brings a special gift to the role. “It’s about serving the whole community,” says Bunny Cabiness, Asheville volunteer and board member. “I love seeing the benefit to each client whether it’s food, clothes, or a session in counseling. You know they appreciate the help. If they are here, we help the best we can.” Debbie Lyman also spends many hours volunteering at the Catholic Charities office in Asheville and serves as a board member. “Everyone is welcome. We support the community that needs our help.” She strives to make people feel welcome and comfort them during their time of need. “I love working with the other volunteers and staff. Since I retired, Catholic Charities has become my passion. I feel like I make a difference in the lives of the people we help.” New volunteers are always needed for different programs. Interested candidates can check out volunteer opportunities listed by office at www.ccdoc.org/volunteer.
Stay the Course
Stay the Course was established in the Winston-Salem office to help Winston-Salem area adults graduate from college and realize their educational goals. Catholic Charities workers serve as “navigators” to provide encouragement, support and resources to enroll in school, finance their education and graduate from college. One of the clients in this new program is Okima, who was enrolled in Forsyth Technical Community College last fall as one of the first clients in the new program. She was previously in the Catholic Charities teen parenting program and has a 2-year-old son. “My lifelong goals are to comfortably live and take care of my son. With going back to school, that’s the first step I can take to actually be able to do that. I just thank them so much for taking the time out to help me and other young parents, because without that encouragement, without that push, I would not have gone back to school.”
Transitions Out of Poverty
Catholic Charities’ Transitions Out of Poverty program is designed to work with people through intensive case management, focusing on a strength-based approach, to provide support and guidance with measurable outcomes. Caring caseworker “navigators” provide quality services and connect with the client to produce important life outcomes. Ongoing support and resource availability allow families and individuals to achieve their goals of rising out of poverty. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer mentor or know someone who may benefit from the program, contact Sharon Davis, Charlotte Regional Office Director, at SWDavis@ charlottediocese.org or 704-370-3218.
Azerbaijan : 3
Rwanda : 3
means giving an attentive welcome to a person who arrives. It means bending over those in need and stretching out a hand to them, without calculation, without fear, but with tenderness and understanding, just as Jesus knelt to wash the Apostles’ feet. Serving means working beside the neediest of people, establishing with them first and foremost human relationships of closeness and bonds of solidarity. It is not enough to offer someone a sandwich unless it is accompanied by the possibility of learning how to stand on one’s own two feet. Charity that leaves the poor person as he is, is not sufficient. True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer.” Notes Carter, “This special insert is just a small snapshot of the works of mercy and charity carried out in your name across the 46 counties of western North Carolina. Simple words but heartfelt emotion: Thank you for all that you do to serve our brothers and sisters in need. What you do matters. It matters a great deal.”
‘I NEVER FEEL JUDGED’
Afghanistan : 12
Somalia : 2
to deal with personal & family crises
pounds of food & 13,835 pounds of supplies to
14,658 people
Burundi : 2
11
