Spring 2020 - In This Issue:
Helping During COVID-19
As you know, throughout the year, Catholic Charities works to provide each person seeking assistance the promise of a new start in life and an opportunity to become self-sufficient. This tumultuous time is no different!

Food pantries continue to distribute food while taking measures to protect staff from the coronavirus. In fact, as of May 1st over 22,000 individuals  have been  served. Financial assistance teams are working to assess and support persons who need help making ends meet during this challenging time. Tele-mental health services are offered by behavioral health teams through video conferencing and telephone services. 

At Catholic Charities we are here to provide help when needed. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please reach out to us at: 
  • Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, Hardee, & Highlands counties, call 844-385-2407
  • Charlotte, Lee, Hendry, & Glades counties, call 844-385-2423 
  • Collier County, call 844-385-2404 
Now more than ever, your support is critical. With gracious supporters like you, we will continue to serve as many as we can within our community. We are dedicated, now and in the future, to provide those in need the essential support they require. Donate Here.

Join us in providing help, creating hope and serving all. Thank you for your support, now more than ever. May God bless you and those you love. 


       

Finance Director Rob Wildermuth, CEO Philomena Pereira & COO Eddie Gloria
A Note From Our Leadership

Since the start of COVID-19, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice has focused on three key areas: food distribution, tele-mental health counseling and financial assistance.
 
Catholic Charities pantries have distributed food to over 22,000 individuals in our area since mid-March. We are seeing an increase in demand in areas like Bonita Springs, Clewiston and Wauchula where we have supported 225% more families than the same period in 2019.
 
Tele-mental health counseling is a new way to reach our low-income families in a safe way. We have had phone or video counseling with children and adults during this time. We have had over 240 calls or video chats with clients regarding topics from job loss to anxiety, fear and being socially isolated during the COVID-19 crisis. One of our clients said, "My therapist has been wonderfully attentive and compassionate." We have also been posting Quarantine Tips on our social media pages to help individuals and families work through this trying time. 
 
We are working to provide financial assistance for those in need. Financial assistance may include rent, mortgage, utility payments, and other critical needs.  We thank you for your support of Catholic Charities and the people we serve everyday and we hope you are all well.

If you would like more information about our efforts during COVID-19 Please visit our website.
Three60 Market & Catholic Charities Feed Families
Rebecca Maddox, Owner of Three60 Market in Naples, partnered with Catholic Charities to providing a healthy and nutritious meal to families and individuals touched by the COVID-19 pandemic.

1,185 people in Naples, Bonita Springs and Immokalee  received  a warm meal of chicken, green beans , potato and dinner roll. Maddox noted that while  dry food donations are wonderful, she wanted to offer a restaurant quality, healthy and delicious meal to families in need. 

The partnership provided a healthy and warm dish to people who need an extra meal during this time of struggle.

The individuals and families we served were from all backgrounds, some had just lost jobs, some living in harsh conditions and some feeding more family members due to COVID-19, and all deserved and appreciated a hot meal. 

The food went quickly and fed so many in need.  Our staff and volunteers were touched by the families served. The young and the old, all said thank you with a smile.
 
Times of crisis require each one of us to do more than we ever dreamed possible.  As Rebecca Maddox said, "Helping others is the best feeling in the world." We couldn't agree more. 

              
Youth Mental Health Counselors Go Beyond For Students
Youth Mental Health Counseling 

Catholic Charities Mental Health Clinicians have been busy! While doing tele-mental health counseling, our clinicians have noted our youth feel the effects of COVID-19 just as much as adults.

One of our clinicians shared the following on how some children have been feeling during COVID-19 and the change in their normal routines. "I have noticed the importance of continuing with emotional support to our young clients. Currently, my clients feel afraid, confused, sad and lonely." 

Clinicians know that it's important to find ways for children to express themselves. Some therapy techniques clinicians are using with children are below. Parental involvement and education is a priority in behavioral health treatment with all children.  
  • Drawing: Drawing often helps children express emotions they feel, drawing items that make them happy, sad, or calm to name a few
  • Games: Games allow children to have fun while growing, learning and controlling emotions
  • Teaching Toys: Play is a natural way many children express their thoughts and emotions
Additionally, youth clinicians often collaborate with a school guidance counselor. They provide information regarding the emotional state of students and discuss strategies to help them learn. During a recent conversation with a guidance counselor, one of our youth clinicians, was able to connect a non-English speaking client parent with the school. This connection helped secure a computer for the child allowing the child a way to continue his schooling and connect with his teacher and friends during online classes.

Our clinician said, "So far tele-mental health counseling has been a great professional and personal experience. I feel so blessed supporting families especially during this crisis and for the opportunity that Catholic Charities has given me to keep working hard for the community and their mental health. God bless you!"

For more information on Catholic Charities Mental Health Services, click here!
Cheers for Volunteers!
Catholic Charities volunteers are an incredibly dedicated group and the COVID-19 crisis has not  stopped  them from showing up and supporting those in need.

Our volunteers have sorted bags of rice and beans, put bags of food together, served food and so much more. They have volunteered with a smile everyday and share their stories on why they spend their time volunteering with Catholic Charities:

I volunteer because 'Christ has no hand and feet on this earth but ours' so I'm doing my part to help.
- Stacy

The clients are very appreciative. I like to get to know them, hear their stories and help them. - Tim

I love what I do because I am helping people that are challenged at this time. They need food and It is just such a pleasure to provide that help for them. - Laura

We can't thank our wonderful volunteers enough! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

If you are interested in volunteering with Catholic Charities, click here!

Donations From Our Neighbors

A special Thank You to several businesses that have donated supplies and support during the COVID-19 crisis. Businesses have donated masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, bread, pre-cooked meals, fresh fruit and vegetables and nonperishable food! 

Your generous donations are making our staff safer, providing our neighbors with the food and supplies they need and offering much needed hope.

Our hearts are so full of thanksgiving for the generosity of our community. We have been able to provide not just the basics but so much more, because of you! 

Give The Gift of a Mother's Love
Mother's Day - May 10th    
A mother's love can change the world...You can help a needy mother succeed!

Our Mother's House of Catholic Charities provides a safe environment for residents to achieve self-sufficiency through education, vocational training and personal growth. 

Honor your mother, daughter, sister, friend or someone who has been like a mother to you with a gift that will help homeless mothers and their children. Click Here to Donate.

Send your love to a mother in your life with a downloadable card!  Download Here

Thank You for supporting Our Mother's House of Catholic Charities and we wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!

Our Mother's House is always looking for supplies for the mothers and children we support. If you would like to make a donation to support Our Mother's House, please contact Joyce at 941-485 -6264 or joyce.scott@catholiccharitiesdov.org

Caseworkers Help Moms with GED Prep
Our Mother's House 

A caseworker at Our Mother's House is stepping up to help moms study and complete assignments in the courses they need to become proficient in taking the GED. 

An Our Mother's House caseworker has signed up as a teacher with the Kahn Academy, an online educational learning site, to help our women complete their GED.

Currently, she is working with a student on the math portion of the GED testing. When she masters the math portion, they will continue to the next subject. This caseworker has also helped another caseworker sign up as a teacher, so together, they can work with more women to help them excel and work toward self-sufficiency as they become proficient to pass the GED.

For more information contact Catholic Charities at 941-485 -6264 or  joyce.scott@catholiccharitiesdov.org.
The Giving Challenge 2020 - Thank You!
Thank You for giving to Catholic Charities during the 2020 Giving Challenge! 

Over 290 people donated to Catholic Charities during the 24-hour online event raising $56,726!

The event that connects nearly 700 nonprofit organizations, including Catholic Charities, with passionate donors to support diverse causes and create enduring impact in our community. It is hosted by  the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.

The 2020 Giving Challenge is one of several grant-funding tools available to help with our community's evolving response to the coronavirus pandemic; the unrestricted funds raised during the Giving Challenge allow Catholic Charities flexibility to respond to community needs. 

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all those who donated to this year's Giving Challenge. 

         
  
 
          www.CatholicCharitiesDOV.org