Winter 2019 - In This Issue:
SUCCESSFUL REACRREDITATION
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. successfully completed the reaccreditation process with the Council on Accreditation (COA). Catholic Charities was expedited through the Pre-Commission Review Report (PCR) process as a result of not receiving any out of compliance ratings in any of the fundamental practice standards.  

"COA's program of quality improvement is designed to identify providers that have met high performance standards and have made a commitment to their stakeholders to deliver the very best quality services. COA is proud to recognize Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. as one of these outstanding providers, and we wish you the very best in your continuing work with the individuals you serve," said COA President and CEO Richard Klarberg in a formal letter. " Congratulations on this amazing achievement," he said.

This review process occurs every four years."The reaccreditation is a testament to the powerful and passionate work of the board members, staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities," said Catholic Charities CEO Philomena Pereira. "It is the stamp of approval by a council that cares about promoting best practice standards in human services."

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION>> 

PRECIOUS GIFTS
St. Martha's Early Learning Center 

Sarasota--This past Christmas season was a special one for the children at St. Martha's Early Learning Center of Catholic Charities. The women from the Sewing Ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice gifted each child with a Christmas blanket, along with handmade ponchos and lounge wear. We are thankful for the time and love the members put into making this Christmas a cozy one for the preschool children. 

The Center also enjoyed a visit from the students of St. Mary Academy in Sarasota. The students and their teachers arrived with carloads of Christmas gifts ranging from bikes to brand new shoes. Each preschooler received items that were handpicked and purchased just for them. Thank you St. Mary Academy!  For more information contact Catholic Charities at 941-366-1395 or [email protected].
FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. is offering free mental health counseling services for adults, children and families who lived in Florida during Hurricane Irma. 

These services are made possible through a grant from the American Red Cross. Counselors can help resolve a variety of issues such as stress, anger, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, depression, low self-esteem and grief. 

Mental health counseling services are available at six locations. 

Sarasota
Catholic Charities 
5055 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234
For information and to schedule an appointment in Sarasota, call Joan at 941-355-4680, ext. 311.

Bonita Springs
Catholic Charities 
28360 Beaumont Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
For information and to schedule an appointment in Bonita Springs, call Hilda at 239-390-2928.

Fort Myers
Catholic Charities 
5597 Sunrise Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919
For information and to schedule an appointment in Fort Myers, call Beth at 239-337-4193.

Naples
Catholic Charities Family Counseling Center
2210 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Naples, FL 34116

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
625 111th Avenue North, Naples, FL 34108
For information and to schedule an appointment in Naples, call Nancy at 239-455-2655.

Everglades City
Everglades City School
415 School Drive,  Everglades City, FL 34139
For information and to schedule an appointment in Everglades City, call Terra at 239-919-9599.


DAY OF CARING
Food Pantry

Fort Myers-- Thank you to Sue O'Donnell (left to right) and Jan Farlow of the Day of Caring group who stopped by our Catholic Charities office to deliver $4,900 to District Director Charles Anderson for the food pantry. 

The donation was used to purchase turkeys to feed over 250 families for Thanksgiving and provided additional turkeys and hams for Christmas food baskets to those in need. 

The Day of Caring non-profit group is made up of three communities which include Pine Lakes Country Club, Lake Fairways and Tara Woods. Each community conducted a fundraiser to help feed those who are less fortunate.  For more information contact Catholic Charities at 239-337-4193 or [email protected].
SHOW OF SHOWS
Venice--California Surf, Incorporated entertained the crowd at the 2018 Sugar Bowl Show of Shows at the Venice Performing Arts Center. All former members of the Beach Boys, the legends of surf music united to offer a spectacular tribute to the band.

The event was hosted by Catholic Charities and the Knights of Columbus. All proceeds benefited the Sugar Bowl Fund for families in the community who are experiencing a financial hardship. In 2018, the fund provided $40,995 to help to 36 families with 70 children. Thank you to everyone who attended!

The Sugar Bowl Fund provides emergency financial assistance for low-income families with children 18-years-old and younger living in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. Families are provided financial help for unexpected car repair, medical and utility bills and rent or mortgage payments as well as relocation fees. The fund also assists families who have successfully completed the programs at Our Mother's House of Catholic Charities and New Paradigm of Catholic Charities to relocate into a permanent residence.  For more information contact Catholic Charities at 941-244-9490 or [email protected].


GENEROUS ANGELS
Weekend Power Pack Food 

Naples--The Angels of the Weekend Power Pack Food Program at St. Elizabeth Seton, Royal Palm Academy and Northern Trust provided the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities with generous donations of much needed food items.

There are over 1,200 homeless, hungry children attending public schools in Collier County. A school meal is often a child's only nutritious food for the day. Many children go hungry over the weekend.  The Weekend Power Pack Food Program provides students in Collier County with food to sustain them when they are not in school. We appreciate your giving spirit!

An ANGEL sponsor program is available to area businesses and individuals interested in making a positive impact and providing children with a back pack of food for the weekend. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 239-793-0059 or [email protected].
EVENT SEASON UNDERWAY
The 2019 Catholic Charities event fundraising season kicked off with the Catholic Charities Ball Holiday Sponsor Party at the Field Club in Sarasota. The event celebrated the sponsors of the upcoming gala to be held on Saturday, January 26 at The Westin in downtown Sarasota. 

The Field Club was adorned in holiday decorations and provided attendees the opportunity to get into the spirit of the season. Thank you to all of our sponsors! 

PLEASE JOIN US! If you would like to attend one of the several Catholic Charities fundraisers held throughout Southwest Florida in the coming months, click below for more information.




WELCOME CENTER
Immigration Services 

 
Immokalee-- Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities has become a welcome center for recently arrived unaccompanied children and families from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Catholic Charities Immigration Services provides monthly outreach and education classes for immigrants through the new Central American Refugee Empowerment (CARE) program. 

Catholic Charities Immigration Services help immigrants to achieve self-sufficiency and stability in the United States through assistance with family reunification, employment authorization, legal permanent residency, citizenship, and other immigration services. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 239-657-1536 or [email protected].
MEXICAN POSADA
Arcadia-- Casa San Juan Bosco of Catholic Charities farm worker housing community hosted a Posada with about 75 people in attendance. A Posada is a   Mexican Christmas tradition  where village children dressed as Mary and Joseph lead a group of "angels and shepherds" from house to house to commemorate the search for an inn (posada) in Bethlehem. Traditional songs are sung by the group with a response sung by the people in each house.They are refused at every door until the entourage is welcomed at a prearranged home with a fiesta including music, food and piñatas.  The beautiful celebration was led by Sister Martha of St. Paul Catholic Church. 

The housing community also observed the season with a Christmas card lane and the making of gingerbread houses. The neighborhood Knitting Class joined in and created hats and scarves for the children enrolled in the After School Program. 

Casa San Juan Bosco provides quality and affordable homes to area farm workers and their families. The neighborhood features 97 homes, playgrounds, soccer fields, a community garden and two community centers with a computer lab/library. Educational and enrichment services for adults and children are available at the community centers. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 863-494-1068 or [email protected].


CHRISTMAS CHEER
Catholic Charities DeSoto County

Sarasota--A group of dedicated volunteers hosted the 15th Annual Christmas Cheer event which benefits Catholic Charities of DeSoto County. 

Party goers all brought their Christmas spirit along with personal care items for people in need in Arcadia and the surrounding communities. Everyone went home with an anniversary ornament and with the knowledge that their donations will support Catholic Charities clients for the next several months. 

Thank you to Hostesses Jane Norton (left to right), Jacqueline Kelly, Gretchen Kennelly, Sister Ann DeNicolo, Vicki Doyle and Cindy Mercurio! For more information contact Catholic Charities at 863-494-1068 or [email protected].
OPEN HOUSE
Immokalee--As part of the year-long celebration of Catholic Charities providing services in Collier County for 50 years, Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities held an open house for supporters of the program. 

Hospitality was graciously provided by The Warehouse and the Seminole Casino Immokalee. Attendees enjoyed food, drink and fellowship along with a video presentation and informative tours of the services available at Guadalupe Social Services. In 2018 Catholic Charities was proud to mark 50 years of changing lives in Collier County. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Guadalupe Social Services provides farm worker, packing house worker and rural poor families with a food pantry, direct assistance, a soup kitchen, shower program and clothing room, an empowerment program, English classes, immigration services and advocacy. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 239-657-6242 or [email protected].


TOY DRIVE
Holiday Gift Programs

Longboat Key--The parishioners of St. Mary Star of the Sea went all out this Christmas season and collected gifts for Catholic Charities to give to children in need.

The parish donated over 400 toys and games and Catholic Charities distributed them to families living in Arcadia, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples. Every year at Catholic Charities service locations throughout Southwest Florida, families who are experiencing a financial hardship are provided with holiday food and gifts. 

We are so grateful for the kindness of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish!  For more information contact Catholic Charities at 941-488-5581 or [email protected]. 
ART EDUCATION
Naples--The Naples Art Association now offers water color classes free of charge at the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities. Families in the community are so fortunate to have this educational experience available to them. 

The mission of the Naples Art Association is to expand cultural horizons, broaden education and enrich the community through the visual arts. The mission of the Judy Sullivan Family Resource Center is to help the surrounding neighborhoods to rise to a better standard of living and obtain greater self-sufficiency. 

The Catholic Charities center also provides other educational programs for adults and children along with a choice food pantry, an Empowerment Program, senior outreach, direct assistance, refugee resettlement, the Weekend Power Pack Food Program and Undy Sunday project for children and holiday food and gift distribution. For more information contact Catholic Charities at 239-793-0059 or email [email protected].