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MAKE 2012 LESS TAXING! | |
Get a jump start on your 2012 taxes! Donate today and save up to $400 on your 2012 taxes.
Why wait until the end of the year? Your donation can be used now to help our community's most vulnerable permanently improve their lives and may not cost you a thing. Give to Catholic Charities and receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your state tax liability.
Not sure how the dollar for dollar tax credit works? Watch our video:
or call Donna Rodgers at 602.650.4827
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JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRING MORNING | |
Catholic Charities Paths to Hope Breakfast:
A Morning of Inspiration
Thursday, May 10
7 am - registration
7:30-8:45 - breakfast and program
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N. 7th Street, Phoenix 85020
Emcee: Michael Bidwill
President - Arizona Cardinals
Free, but reservations are required by April 23. Space is limited. Make your reservation today with Donna Rodgers, drodgers@cc-az.org or 602.650.4827.
For more information click here.
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SAVE THE DATE | |
MAY 19 -- Annual Refugee Dinner
6 pm - cocktails - 7 pm - dinner
Great Wall of China Restaurant
5057 N 35th Avenue, Phoenix 85017
Premier Seating - $40 per person
General Admission - $35 per person
7-course meal, international fashions and entertainment. For tickets and Info, contact
mvalentin@cc-az.org
JUNE 19 - Clubs & Clubs - Prescott
Golf contest and casino-style fun. For tickets and info, contact Joanne Williams at jwilliams@cc-az.org
OCT. 6 - Gala
More news to come! |
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TEEN MAZE IN PRESCOTT | |
Yavapai County's Teen Maze will be held April 25-27, 9 am - 1 pm, at the Prescott Activity Center.
Teen Maze is a fun, interactive life-size game board to creatively help teens understand the consequences of life choices. In addition to school field trips, we would also like to invite those students that don't attend public or private schools.
The event is free, but please make a reservation with Kasey Shaver, at kshaver@cc-az.org or 928.708.7227.
For more information about the Teen Maze click here.
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COLLECTION BENEFITS REFUGEE PROGRAM | |
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Our thanks to Junior Girl Scout Troop #1241 from Ss.Simon and Jude Catholic School in Phoenix for collecting hygiene items for our refugee clients. |
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Spring 2012 | |
Building Stronger Communities in Northern Arizona:
Catholic Charities partners with Habitat for Humanity
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Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity allowed this family to complete EmpowerU (formerly Paths of HOPE) as part of their sweat equity in their home. |
It's the perfect alliance: Catholic Charities' EmpowerU has partnered with Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity to help provide families with a solid foundation on which to build their futures.
Many Habitat home recipients are becoming homeowners for the first time. While exciting, homeownership brings new responsibilities and challenges: insurance, property taxes, repairs. With the help of EmpowerU, Prescott-area Habitat families learn how to make small changes so they have enough money to not only meet these challenges, but also for the things they want.
Habitat clients may attend EmpowerU's six-hour financial education and/or 30-hour Getting Ahead series. Not only do they learn to build their skills, the hours count toward the "sweat equity" of their homes. Participants learn to build and live within a budget, to save and avoid predatory lending. They also learn to build the skills and resources that lead to long-term prosperity.
"We all have a vested interest in having them stay in their home", said Haley Hyatt, Catholic Charities' relations coordinator for EmpowerU. "We are incredibly grateful to go through the process with them."
In addition to the financial education and Getting Ahead series, Habitat families also participate in EmpowerU's Circles of Support, where they receive support and guidance from a team of volunteer mentors.
Catholic Charities' partnership with Habitat for Humanity is growing to include the Verde Valley, Flagstaff and Valley of the Sun. To find out more about EmpowerU, visit catholiccharitiesaz.org/EmpowerU.
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In the Spotlight: Nicole Sroka
A high school senior inspires many
While every senior at Bashas High School is required to complete a community service project, there are not many who could pull off what Nicole Sroka did. With no prior experience, Nicole undertook a construction project that our domestic violence shelter, My Sisters' Place, had dreamed about doing for years.
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Nicole Sroka (middle) with her father, Tim Sroka (left) and grandfather, LeRoy Farrow (right) |
Introduced to the shelter through service work at her church, Nicole spearheaded a canned food drive in November to restock the shelter's pantry. Nicole was so inspired that she asked shelter program manager Peggy Dudinyak what else was needed. Nicole was told about the bus passes, clothes donations, linens, hygiene and other items needed on an ongoing basis, but Nicole wanted to do something bigger which is when Dudinyak shared the dream of a Serenity Garden.
It was a "ah-ha" moment for Nicole. She immediately began a letter campaign to family and friends explaining the new project she'd like to undertake and asked for donations. In a very short time she raised $1,000 and the project had wings. With her family at her side, the patio and garden began to take form.
Her good work was rewarded with a blessing, My Sisters' Place received a grant from the Soroptimsts Club of SanTan. With it, Nicole's project grew to include three more flower beds and a vegetable garden planted by the Soroptimists Club.
"I never had experience doing a project like this," says Nicole. "I learned so much."
Nicole's serenity garden has been selected to be featured in the Chandler Unified School District's Senior Showcase Night on April 16. Nicole has also been nominated for a college scholarship based on her service project. Her hard work and perseverance have not only been recognized by her peers, but she and her family have left a beautiful space our shelter residents will enjoy for years to come.
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Volunteers at our DIGNITY Immersion event |
The Impact of Volunteers and Community Support
Our annual DIGNITY Immersion raises awareness about sex trafficking. This year's sold-out performances were held Feb. 23-25 in Brophy's Black Box Theatre.
As always, volunteers were central to the event's success. More than 40 volunteers participated, including several survivors. "Volunteers are an invaluable resource for us," said Alanna Reichert, DIGNITY residential program manager. "There is no way we could do this event without their help and dedication to the project."
In addition, DIGNITY Immersion inspired a youth group at St. Paul's Catholic Church to raise $12,385.99 for DIGNITY through their annual Slave Trade Lenten service project. "I was speechless when I was presented with the donation from St. Paul's youth group," Reichert states. "Their sacrifice and generosity will go a long way in helping those we serve to escape life on the streets."
In addition, Brophy made a $1,500 donation to support DIGNITY. "It is inspiring to see young people engaged in this cause because 13 is the average age of entry into prostitution, but it is more poignant to see young men involved," said Bob Brown, CEO and president of Catholic Charities.
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April 15-21 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week
Thank you to all Catholic Charities volunteers whose lives of service have a tremendous impact on our world. Volunteers are central to everything we do. Please consider joining our HOPE Corps. We will work to match your interest and experience with opportunities you will find exciting and rewarding.
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