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SUMMER 2014
E-NEWS
SERVING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Greetings!  

We invite you to take a few minutes to learn more about the work of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. If you have any questions, reply and let us know. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your colleagues, friends and family.  
Undy Sunday
Collier County--It may be difficult to believe that hundreds of school children in the community lack basic underwear and socks. But according to personnel at the local public schools, the need exists.

 

"The Collier County school staff continue to report that many students do not have undergarments at the beginning of the school year," said Don Campbell, co chair of the annual Undy Sunday event. "Before Catholic Charities initiated this program, the school staff were assuming the responsibility of supplying the items," he said. READ MORE>>  
New Roof
Sarasota--You could see blue sky through the roof when you were inside the shed that housed the tricycles, balls, wagons, buckets and shovels and other playground equipment and toys for the preschool children.

"It was really bad," said Jacquie Crombie, district director of Catholic Charities in Sarasota and Manatee counties. "We really needed to repair the roof to the shed and both of the school buildings a couple years ago. We just did not have the funding," she said. READ MORE>> 
Business Training
 
Naples--Catholic Charities in Collier County and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida partnered to assist future small business owners. Catholic Charities hosted a six week training class this summer. The course is presented by Goodwill's MicroEnterprise Institute, which helps emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. The program is designed to assist people who are unemployed, underemployed, or meet low-income guidelines.
Volunteer Spotlight 

Venice--Bianca McConaghy has her hands in just about everything! When she is not busy spending upwards of 15 hours per week with the children at Our Mother's House of Catholic Charities, she may be playing a round of disc golf or accruing countless miles on her bicycle. Or, alongside her husband kayaking down the canal located directly behind their home. She recently surprised her husband with a new double kayak for his birthday.

 

So is there anything Bianca does not like to do?  "I don't like to drive in the ice and snow," she confessed.  

Kick Off Party
Italian jewelry designer Michele Pozzo and Marilee Roberts.

Danielle and Blair Gladding.
Sarasota--The Catholic Charities Ball Kick Off Party was held at the Field Club. Italian designer Michele Pozzo of TUUM showcased his contemporary spiritual jewelry. The kick off party was the first time the TUUM jewelry was made available in the United States. About 65 people attended the event and all proceeds benefited the 2015 Catholic Charities Ball which will be held on January 31 at the Ritz-Carlton.
Migration Conference 
Jennessee Delgado and Yuri Kaplun.

Washington, D.C.--Two staff members from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. attended the 2014 National Migration Conference this summer. Refugee Resettlement Caseworker Jennessee Delgado and Refugee Resettlement Program Coordinator Yuri Kaplun advocated for funding and met congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. The gathering was held to assist people who work with immigrants, migrants, refugees, unaccompanied migrant children, victims of human trafficking, and other vulnerable people on the move.
Hugs for Homeless
Catholic Charities Board Chair Lew Schmidt, CCW President Iris Gomez, Bishop Frank Dewane, and Catholic Charities CEO Peter Routsis-Arroyo.

The Florida Council of Catholic Women (CCW) held the Annual Hugs for Homeless fundraiser and the Venice Diocese CCW allocated their portion of funds to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. A check for $5,600 was given to Catholic Charities for the housing counseling and foreclosure prevention program. According to the CCW, Florida has the third largest homeless population in the country where 49,000 school-aged children are identified as homeless.
HELP for Refugees
HELP graduate Odalys Gambia, Executive Housekeeper Desiree Dayhoff, and HELP graduate Darion Perez.

Naples--Catholic Charities Refugees Employed And Productive (REAP) program in collaboration with DoubleTree Suites Hilton Hotels offers the Hospitality Excellence Learning Project (HELP) to provide newly arrived refugees the training to achieve housekeeping certification. "This will give them a leg up in finding their first job," said Yolanda Garcia, REAP Program Coordinator. "They don't have prior job experience but with this training we can quickly have job interviews lined up for them." For more information about Refugees Employed and Productive of Catholic Charities, please call 941-351-9750.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF VENICE, INC.
1000 Pinebrook Road, Venice, FL 34285

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