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March 2021 Quarterly Newsletter

A Message From Our CEO-Executive Director

Dear Supporters of Catholic Charities,


I want to express my gratitude once more to all of you for your unconditional and kind support during the past year as the pandemic has evolved. We are clearly exceeding our revenue expectations for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2020 in great part because of you. I am also grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers who have worked intensely under strenuous circumstances and new service models. We have faced a significant increase in demand for economic, material and emotional assistance from individuals of all ages as well as entire families. Our funders have been wonderful, as we are on our way to a record-setting year in grants awarded. Most of all, our gratefulness is to our God for being so good with us and the people we serve. 


In this issue of our quarterly newsletter, we can share only a mere glimpse into important program developments that have transpired during the past few months in our agency, and I trust that you will find them gratifying.  Let us always be strengthened by our Faith as Easter comes, and continue to believe that even under the direst of circumstances, the sky is the limit.


Sincerely yours,


Frankie Chevere

CEO-Executive Director



Quantum Foundation announces $1 million in COVID-19 Relief Funding Money Stays Local to Palm Beach County

March 26 2021 - Quantum Foundation has announced a $1 million funding package, to be immediately distributed to meet Palm Beach County’s basic needs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will go to multiple local nonprofits, funding programs providing rental assistance, financial assistance, and targeted COVID-19 vaccination education efforts. 

Quantum Foundation earmarked $700,000 to rental (housing) and financial assistance to be distributed to Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

“Health equity is the way forward, and these grants ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors are getting the help they need,” said Eric Kelly, president of Quantum Foundation. “Health inequities in underserved communities are longstanding, but the COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the impacts of social determinants of health. We know that economic and social conditions influence a person’s health status, and that is why we decided to move forward with the $1 million in relief funding. We believe in a holistic approach to health, and the organizations receiving the support are aligned with that goal.”

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach is using its Hunger, Homeless & Outreach program to provide rental and utility assistance, benefit enrollment assistance and food as well as case management and referrals to clients. Part of the money it received from Quantum Foundation will fund a new position to help streamline the process of identifying needs and connecting to the correct avenue.

  “Our goal is not to just give out money,” said Francisco (Frankie) Chevere, CEO/Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach. “Our goal is to help clients become self-sufficient and financially stable by taking care of their core problems, rather than the symptoms. We work extensively with those who come to us for help to identify needs and create a plan with doable steps on the path to success. We are concerned with every aspect of health, implementing a holistic approach by addressing every part of the client’s life, from referring clients to the Early Learning Coalition for reduced day care bills to referring a client to a therapist. It goes above and beyond handouts as we try to empower people to get to a better place and move forward. We provide help for the body, mind, and physical well-being.”

  Catholic Charities can help people through homeless prevention programs before they are evicted. The Quantum Foundation grant will be put toward Rent and mortgage payments. “Most grants are for rental assistance only, so this will be a great way for us to help homeowners keep their homes,” Chevere said.

  Leaders say they are seeing clientele from all walks of life. “We have helped flight attendants, psychologists – people from higher paying jobs who are not used to seeking out help, but have lost work from the circumstances surrounding COVID-19,” Chevere said.

  Charlotte Lipscomb is a Catholic Charities client, benefitting from the Hunger, Homeless & Outreach program at the beginning of the pandemic. She and her husband had relocated to the area with her granddaughter, but her husband lost his job while she got laid off. Unemployment was not making ends meet. Lipscomb found a job at JFK Hospital, but they still fell behind on bills and their housing situation became unstable. That is when Lipscomb reached out to Catholic Charities.

  “I reached Catholic Charities at a point of financial desperation, and they are a godsend,” Lipscomb said. “If I seek help, it is because I have no other option; my caseworker and her team have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the agency, and I honestly do not believe I would’ve gotten through if not for the help I received.”

Catholic Charities temporarily set up the family in a hotel, then referred them to a housing organization to find an apartment and even found them a connection for furniture. Lipscomb said she is paying it forward by giving back when she can. Chevere said Catholic Charities always welcomes financial donations, but volunteer opportunities are also available with a range of duties.

Each agency receiving funds is a trusted partner with a demonstrated record of success and strong compliance with previous grants from Quantum Foundation. Each has the administrative capacity to handle an influx of funding. All grants benefit the people of Palm Beach County. Quantum Foundation provided funds totaling $900,000 to Palm Beach County qualifying nonprofits in 2020 for COVID-19 relief in addition to the $1 million grant in 2021. For more information about Quantum Foundation, or to learn about applying for grants, please visit www.quantumfnd.org or call 561-832-7497.


Read the full article here.

Article originally published in South Florida Hospital News

Thanks to all who helped our Caritas Dei Bishop's Gala raise more than $230,000 without holding an actual event. COVID-19 prevented us from seeing you in person, but your presence was certainly felt by our Ladies Committee, Board of Directors, staff and most importantly, our clients. We are so grateful to all who supported our auction and our "non"event. See you in 2022!

QUAIL VALLEY CHILDREN'S FUNDS SAMARITAN CENTER FAMILY COUNSELING PROJECT

Thank you, Quail Valley Children’s Charities, for providing funding for the Samaritan Center’s Family Counseling Project. An independent mental health therapist will be providing group and individual counseling on a weekly basis for adult residents and their children. Customized family sessions will include focus on parenting skills, relationship building and emotional competency activities.

We have recently started monthly drive-thru food distributions at our St. Francis Center on the second Tuesday of every month from 12-2. We are thankful to the Palm Beach County Food Bank for their support in supplying us with non perishable items to distribute. Since the beginning of the year we have given out almost 400 bags of food! We are always looking for ways to get healthier and complete meals to our clients, so please reach out if you are looking to donate food items!

We have been busy giving out clothing to those in need at St. Francis Center. In the past 3 months we have given out 377 bags of clothing! We are always in need of hygiene items (especially deodorant, shampoo, and conditioner), new undergarments for men and women, sneakers, and jeans. Thank you!

Join us for a virtual presentation on human trafficking in our community. Over 20 million people are estimated to be trafficked around the world at any given time. Human trafficking is estimated to be a $150 billion dollar annual business, making it the second largest source of illegal income internationally (the first being drugs). Did you know that Florida is ranked 3rd in the nation for human trafficking, with Palm Beach County ranking 3rd in the state in cases?


Register today to join us on April 9th to learn more about what human trafficking really looks like, the indicators, prevention, and what you can do to help.

Register Here

Interfaith Health & Wellness started a Loaner Tablet project at the Senior Villas to help the elderly connect with Catholic Charities’ monthly online wellness series and follow-up with their doctors via TeleHealth. Donations of bottled water and soft snacks from St. Edward Catholic Church were provided during an outdoor blood pressure check.

CRS Rice Bowl 2021


How to turn in your CRS Rice Bowls:

After Easter, please count your almsgiving donation and transfer amount into check form.

Turn your check into your parish office or mail to:


Checks Payable To: Diocese of Palm Beach

Memo Line: CRS Rice Bowl

Mail To: Diocese of Palm Beach, PO Box 109650, PBG FL  33410


Thank You!

Americorps Seniors RSVP Grant:

We were fortunate to be awarded $75,000 to Support Senior Volunteer Service in Palm Beach County and are currently recruiting volunteers. Americorps Seniors volunteers will be conducting sessions on topics such as job readiness, resume writing, interview skills, financial literacy and fraud prevention. Volunteers will also be placed at partner agencies, including Dress for Success, Family Promise, Salvation Army, and The Lord’s Place to reach as many people as possible.


To be eligible you must be at least 55 years of age and be able to pass a level 2 background check. We are looking for volunteers of all backgrounds to best serve our community.


To apply or for more information, please contact Sara Haas shaas@ccdpb.org 561-360-3329.



If you would like to help Catholic Charities continue to serve the vulnerable and most in need throughout our Diocese, please click here to make a tax deductible donation or call 561-775-9567. Thank you!

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