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Upcoming Events
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A program co-sponsored by the Catholic Commission of Summit County, Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County and the Department of Jobs and Family Services of Summit County
The Elderly: Issues of Concern and New Approaches
Wednesday, October 2, 10 AM - 2 PM
St. Hilary Parish
This is an in-service that includes lunch for parish staffs and other volunteers who work with home visits, elderly issues and related ministries. Call 330-535-2787 to register.
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Thursday, October 3, 7:00-8:30 PM
Holy Martyrs Church, 3100 S. Weymouth Rd., Medina
The Criminal Violence of Human Trafficking: Its Prevalence Internationally and Locally, and What We as Citizens Can Do About It
Download flier for more information...
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The Commission on Catholic Community Action invites YOU to Participate in Our Next Parish Social Action Leaders Networking Meeting
Westside Location:
Commission on Catholic Community Action
St. Augustine Manor
7911 Detroit Ave - North Commons
Monday, October 14, 2013
Eastside Location:
Our Lady of the Lake Parish
19951 Lake Shore Blvd
Thursday, October 17, 2013
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CCHD Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
St. Augustine Commons
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Ohio Fair Trade Expo Returns this Fall |
Save the date:
Saturday,
October 12.
John Carroll Campus
Register now!
You do not have to register to shop at the Marketplace!
The Expo has a Girls Scout Patch Program put together by the Catholic Commission of Summit County and Janet Rhodes Brings You Fair Trade.
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Ohio Catholic Conference Joined Advocates from Across the State at Forum on Medicaid with Governor Kasich | |
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What Your Advocacy Has Accomplished
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Domestic Policy
Farm Bill
Throughout the year, you have joined the USCCB and our Catholic partners to remind Congress of the need to support a just Farm Bill. Your advocacy has so far been instrumental in preventing Congress from enacting harmful cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and other nutrition programs for hungry, poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad. Your help is still needed as serious threats for cuts and changes to SNAP, international food and development aid, conservation and other important programs are being considered once Congress comes back from the summer recess.
Death Penalty
Thanks to your advocacy, along with the U.S. Catholic bishops, the Maryland Catholic Conference and the Catholic Mobilizing Network, Governor Martin O'Malley signed legislation in May ending the death penalty in Maryland. Bishop Stephen Blaire, Chair of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development celebrated the victory: "Americans are beginning to realize that we can do better than the death penalty both to punish crime and keep our society safe. We welcome the decision by the Maryland legislature and Governor O'Malley to abolish the use of the death penalty in Maryland. This is a courageous step toward a culture of life." With your continued advocacy the tide is changing. Thank you advocates!
Circle of Protection
Because of your advocacy, the spending bills and budget deals agreed to by Congress and the Administration over the last two years have maintained a circle of protection around programs that help poor and vulnerable people at home and abroad. However, on March 1, 2013 the sequester (a mandatory across the board cuts to most federal programs) went into effect because Congress and the Administration were unable to reach an alternative agreement on federal spending and deficit reduction. During the August recess, please continue to tell your Members of Congress that the budget for FY 2014 should replace the sequester with fair and just spending and revenues that reweaves a circle of protection around those programs that provide vital services to poor and hungry people at home and abroad.
International Issues
Palestinian Assistance/Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
You've done it again just as you did last year! At the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in February, participants advocated for the release of $500 million in funding for Palestinians so that critical humanitarian, economic and institution building needs could be met. Your voice helped make a difference. In March, this aid was released to the Palestinians. With attention refocused on a restart of talks between Israelis and Palestinians, steps such as these can help bolster negotiations for a two-state solution to the long standing conflict, a secure and recognized Israel living in peace with a viable and independent Palestinian state. This is something the USCCB and CRS have long supported and thanks to your advocacy our nation is taking the lead in restarting negotiations.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Conflict Minerals
Thanks to your continued advocacy and concern about conflict minerals, the State Department has appointed and empowered a Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region that includes the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. The Special Envoy, former Senator Russell Feingold, is an international affairs expert who worked with CRS and USCCB to help craft the Congo Conflict Minerals Act. This law requires companies using such conflict minerals to abide by regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to trace their sources to avoid financing militias who abuse and terrorize local populations to extract these minerals. Your continued advocacy helped preserve the efficacy of newly issued SEC regulations in the face of a challenge in court by companies. This decision and the appointment of the Special Envoy will help ensure that companies continue to comply and make it more possible for the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to avoid the ravages of war.
HIV/AIDs and Poverty-Focused Assistance
You helped insure that those with HIV/AIDS are treated and that mothers have access to medication to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS to their babies. Your advocacy has meant critical health, nutrition, development assistance and emergency programs remain funded despite pressures in this budget-cutting environment. Despite the House of Representatives proposing cuts of 19% in FY 2014 foreign assistance overall, most of the funding for USCCB/CRS's priority programs such as mother and child health, development assistance, disaster assistance and aid to refugees and migrants, has been preserved. The President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary this year, has saved 1 million babies from becoming infected.
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Dear Friends,
It has been a very busy summer. Since Congress has not come to an agreement on programs that impact the poor and vulnerable among us, our advocacy - and we hope yours - has continued. The same with health care on a state level. We are still working on Medicaid reform and expansion as one way of extending health care to a new population of uninsured. It may not be the best way, but it is a start.
In this issue, we would like to highlight issues of poverty among us and some of the projects that the different Commissions have started, are connected to, or support in some way. Some of these have local Campaign for Human Development funds keeping them going.
Along with programs already initiated, we are looking forward to some new partnerships and initiatives in our areas. We have also highlighted some areas within the Catholic Charities system that could use some extra support. See our wish list.
Exciting news: Cleveland Catholic Charities will be launching a new web site February 2014. The DSAO staff has been working on the outline for our site within the system. We are thrilled that we will be able to be more timely in our posting and offer much more information.
And do read the Bishops' Labor Day Statement.
Thanks for all you do!
Sr. Kathleen Ryan, Karen Leith, Pat O'Bryan, Kelly Davis, Rachel Schmidt and Ann Coplan |
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Lorain Gardens of Eatin' | |
 The Gardens of Eatin' project at St. Peter, North Ridgeville is underway despite unaccommodating weather and hungry deer. This Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) funded project is focused on the empowerment of prisoners at Grafton Correctional Institute (GCI) in the horticulture program. Some plants, including eggplants and tomatoes, were grown for St. Peter's garden by prisoners. The plants are tended to by parishioners, and 50 percent of the harvest is given to the poor.
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Lorain and Summit Counties Help Job Seekers | |
All these programs are partially funded by CCHD grants and in some way work with Catholic Charities entities.
First Community Interfaith Institute of Ohio
People who have a job and are able to keep a job may take for granted that keeping a job is a skill. Rev. Gerald J. Evans, CEO of the First Community Interfaith Institute of Ohio (FCII,) realizes that many do not have the skills to retain employment. Thus, Evans and his staff developed a job training program for the homeless.
Read more...
St.Barnabas, Northfield, Social Concerns and the parish St.Vincent DePaul group have started a job club with computer training. Recognizing that most job applications are now online and that basic computer skills are needed, the two groups have joined together to find a way to bring these basic skills to parishioners and community members. A social concerns committee member was able to ask her accounting company to donate used laptops. A desk top computer is also being purchased. Parishioners are volunteering to help with mentoring, skills development, resume writing and other valuable pieces. Bringing the know-how to those most in need who cannot get to the job center is the main focus of the group.
Filling in the gap, the Economic Justice Committee of the Catholic Commission of Summit County is working on a how-to manual to access web sites that help job seekers as well as web sites that do have job offerings.
Starting with research that shows the most vulnerable population does not know how to use a computer nor is comfortable with one, the first section has all the "how to" basics with pictures. A list of where to find free courses will also be included.
There is a list of documents needed for online applications so that job seekers are prepared. Additionally, each section helps navigate helpful web sites, explaining just where to find the material and how to access what is most helpful. Included are government, library, job club and actual companies that usually have entry end jobs available.
A workshop is being planned in January to introduce the manual and to educate around barriers to employment. |
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Importance of Early Childhood Learning within Cleveland Catholic Charities: A Jewel that You Can Help | | |
The Diocesan Social Action Office is calling for partners and other groups willing to help with much needed supplies and scholarships for Catholic Charities Early Learning Centers.
From Karnese McKenzie, Director of Earling Learning:
- 97% - of families enrolled are all African American
- 85% - have incomes below $5,000
- 15% - have incomes $5,001 - $9,999
- 80% - Enrolled in College or Technical College
- 20% - Working full-time
- Approximately (10) or more families a week lose child care and are sanctioned by the County
*Families are experiencing high rate of sanctions due to: loss of job, out school during the summer months and aren't eligible for a child care voucher, not eligible for a child care voucher but can't afford to pay for private childcare.
The lack of consistency impacts the learning ability of these children as well as basic nutrition. Before they even reach school, there is a huge gap in knowledge and skills between them and their middle class counterparts.
A scholarship fund would allow for the retaining of children in the program when their parent/s lose vouchers. Additional materials, including gently used books and learning toys, would help with the budgets of these centers. These are highly rated centers that can and do make a difference in the lives of such young children.
See more about the centers...
See the wish list for the 6 centers in the Catholic Charities system... |
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Women with Spirit NOW and After School Programs: House of Champions | | |
They wanted 200 attendees and almost 400 people packed St. Ignatius High School on Cleveland's west side for the House of Champions Fundraiser. What drew the crowd? Hope.
The new initiative, House of Champions, is a collaborative effort between 3 Cleveland west side inner city schools, Metro Catholic Parish School, Urban Community and St. Rocco School. The house will provide a safe, nurturing environment with a family-like setting for "champions" from each of the schools to hone their skills, strengthen their academic life and practice communication techniques while learning respectful and appropriate social skills. Continued ... 
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Issue and Action Against Human Trafficking Focus of Summer Activities | | |
Human Trafficking survivor and author Theresa Flores travels the U.S. sharing her story of trafficking and being a sex slave while living in an upper-middle class suburb of Detroit, Michigan. At 15 years of age, she was drugged, raped and tortured for two long years. Kept in bondage, she was forced to pay back an impossible debt as a sex slave. All the while, she lived at home, attempting to keep her family safe. She attended school during the day along side of her traffickers, only to be called into 'service' late each night while her unknowing family slept.
On her worst night, being auctioned off to nearly two dozen men in a dingy, dirty, inner city Detroit motel, Ms. Flores recalled the only item that would have reached out to her, a bar of soap to clean up. With that in mind, on a very emotional trip back to Michigan many years later, she created S.O.A.P.-Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution.
 Theresa visited the Diocese of Cleveland twice this summer. The first was an educational breakfast co-sponsored by three parishes' Social Justice Ministry. The cluster Social Justice ministries of Sts. Bede, John and Mary held an educational breakfast in July. Click here to read about it and see pictures.  The second involved the S.O.A.P. project. S.O.A.P. is an outreach program through Traffickfree and DOMA International to distribute thousands of bars of soap wrapped with a red band that gives the National Human Trafficking Hotline number (888.3737.888) and key identifying questions to high-risk motels.
Locally, the Summit County Collaborative Initiative Against Human Trafficking picked up the project. The Collaborative is a sister of the older Collaborative Initiative to End Human Trafficking. Click here to learn more about the project through pictures of the two day event.
Learn more through an upcoming event in Medina:
Thursday, October 3, 7:00-8:30 PM
Holy Martyrs Church, 3100 S. Weymouth Rd., Medina
The Criminal Violence of Human Trafficking: Its Prevalence Internationally and Locally, and What We as Citizens Can Do About It
Download flier for more information...
Follow advocacy efforts to change laws in Ohio through the Catholic Conference of Ohio. On the left of the landing page, click on issues and then scroll down to human trafficking for the latest advocacy, testimony and Catholic documents.
As a result of legislation passed treating young people as victims instead of criminals if they have been trafficked, Kasich expunged the first record of a human trafficking victim. See more at:
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Medina County Educates on Living Faith | | |
Living Out Your Call to Act Justly in Your Daily Life A Year of Faith event, was sponsored by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Peace and Justice Commission
Attendees came on August 21 to find out what the Catholic Church really teaches. An interactive discussion of the Church's social teachings as presented through the Catechism and other Church documents.
Led by Fr. Joseph Koopman, Asst. Professor of Moral Theology,
St. Mary's Seminary & Graduate School of Theology, Wickliffe, Ohio, considered:
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Materials on the latest topics in the Micah Center for Parish Use | | |
 The Micah Center has new materials for parish use. These are good for a movie night, small group discussion or even personal education.
We have materials for JustFaith programs which now have a new and more flexible format.
You can find books and DVDs on:
- human trafficking
- death penalty
- hunger and poverty, including A Place at the Table and how to conduct an Oxfam banquet
- Bridges Out of Poverty
- Racism and White Privilege
- Climate Change and Global Warming
- US International Policy
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