winter 2007-08 page 1 catholic … · winter 2007-08 spage 1 ... • 8-passenger van •...

Winter 2007-08 www.catholiccharitiesdov.org

N E W S

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

N E W SVolume 7, Number 2 Catholic Charities - Serving Southwest Florida Winter 2007-08

INSIDE THIS ISSUECC Receives Two Grants ..................... 2Wish List .............................................. 2Charitable IRA Rollover ...................... 3Good Samaritan Guild ......................... 3Summer Camps .................................... 4Undy Sunday ....................................... 4President’s Corner ................................ 5Upcoming Events ................................. 5Annual Christmas Appeal ................ 6-8

Annual Christmas Appeal Needs You to HelpThe sixth annual Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal needs your

support to provide help and create hope for children, families andindividuals who seek our help. The Christmas Appeal takes placeduring the month of December through January 2008. This year’sgoal is $289,000.

Your gifts provide funding for program and services of CatholicCharities in southwest Florida. Through your generosity, our 31program sites are able to serve clients all year long.

Please read this newsletter to learn more about how your donationshelp God’s people. On page 5 is a list of our program sites, and on

pages 6 to 8 is additionalinformation about some of ourCatholic Charities services.

Local Catholic Charities eventshave expanded to six this year!Everyone is invited to the festivitiesof the season as CC programsfundraise in their communities.Can you join us in the fun?

Bishop Frank J. Dewane willbe the guest of honor at all sixevents. Choose the one nearest toyour home and come to support theworks of mercy of CatholicCharities and meet the bishop.

Event locations and ticketinformation for the six events areavailable on page 5 of thisnewsletter.

Venice – December 19.Sugar Bowl Show of Shows, anight of comedy, magic, musicalstandards, dancing, and a

Season Shineswith Six

Season Shines with Six on page 3

Arcadia, Bonita Springs, FortMyers, Immokalee, Naples –Through 6 program sites, CatholicCharities provided more than 1300youth with school supplies for the

Back To School Serves MoreThan 1300 Youth

2007-08 school year.Each year as the number of

poor children in need of schoolsupplies increases, CatholicCharities continues its efforts toassist families who have financialdifficulties. Every family is

Back To School on page 2

Laura Sikes/Catholic Charities USAChristmas Appeal on pages 6 to 8

Guadalupe Social Services of CC,Immokalee

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org Winter 2007-08

Wish ListCatholic Charities programs appreciate any help you can give.

Wish List on page 4

Back To School from page 1

screened by a caseworker to preventduplication of services with otherproviders of social services.

Donations and volunteers areaccepted for these Back to School(BTS) programs year round.

Catholic Charities Program Years of BTS Numbers of StudentsProgram Location Supplies Provided Served for 2007-08

Collier CountyGuadalupe Social Services Immokalee 11 628

of Catholic Charities

Family Resource Center of Naples 7 81Catholic Charities

DeSoto CountyCatholic Charities of Arcadia 11 50

DeSoto CountyLee County

Hispanic Services of Bonita Springs 7 85Catholic Charities

Hispanic Services of Fort Myers 16 240Catholic Charities

Haitian Center of Fort Myers 6 279Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities serves and empowers ALL in need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.

Venice - Two grants, awardedby the Florida Department ofChildren and Families, Office ofRefugee Services, to CatholicCharities (CC), will assistrefugees in our area.

An Employability StatusAssistance Grant was given for$600,000 annually for threeyears. A Refugee Youth and

Catholic Charities Receives Two GrantsFamilies Grant was awarded for$450,000 annually for two years.Both programs began servingclients in October.

The Employability StatusAssistance Grant will helprefugees/entrants to receive legalservices, as they apply foremployment authorizations,immigration status or

naturalization. Refugee clientservices will be in CC offices inSarasota, Fort Myers andNaples.

The Refugee Youth andFamilies Grant will serve refugeefamilies in Collier County. Thefocus is the preservation of thefamily through economic self-sufficiency and resettlement.

Arcadia – Call Andy at (863)494-1068.• gift cards for food• deodorant, shampoo,

toothpaste, toothbrushes• children’s winter clothes,

jackets, sizes 4-12

Bonita Springs – Call Marthaat (239) 390-2928.• 8-passenger van• volunteer tutors for after

school

Clewiston/LaBelle – CallGuadalupe at (863) 983-2274.• diapers, sizes 3-5• school uniform pants (navy

or khaki); collared, knit shirts(gold, red, light blue, white),sizes 6-10

Immokalee – Call Ninfa at(239) 657-6242.• diapers, sizes 4-6• children’s winter jackets for

middle-school sizes

Naples – Call Allegra at (239)793-0059.• volunteers• shredder, continuous VCR or

DVD playerCall Fred at (239) 455-2655.• wooden toys, dollhouse• love seat for counselingCall Madeline at (239) 455-2655.• office furniture, bookcases,

computers

Guadalupe Social Services of CC,Immokalee


Christmas sing-a-long, benefitsSarasota’s south county familiesin crisis. Presented by Knightsof Columbus and CatholicCharities, the show stars the JohnSalerno Big Band and his“American Songbook” with guestsoloist Debbie Keaton. The showfeatures the Todd CharlesComedy Spectacular. Chair of the

evening is BobHunter.

Sarasota –January 24.C a t h o l i cCharities Ball,An Evening inItaly, providessupport forC a t h o l i cCharities of

Season Shines with Sixfrom page 1

Sarasota and Manatee Counties.Co-chairs are Helen Nugent andMary Kenealy-Barbetta.

Fort Myers – February 9.Venetian Charity Ball assistspeople in need in the Lee Countyarea. Chair of this year’s event isNancy Bullyan.

Venice – February 28. OurMother’s House Wine Tastinghelps homeless mothers and theirpreschool children attain self-sufficiency.

Arcadia (event in Laurel,north of Venice) – March 8.Boots and Bandannas providesfunds for Catholic Charities ofDeSoto County for migrants andthe poorest of the poor. Co-chairsare Rose Sherrard, Bob Gannon,Gene Dolecki.

Naples – March 15 .Emerald Ball assists vulnerablepeople through Catholic Charities

of Collier County. Chair of theevent is Nancy Duggan.

Catholic Charities thanks thechairs, co-chairs and manyvolunteers who contribute theirtime and talent to the productionof these beautiful evenings.

Everyone is invited. Pleasecome and enjoy the events!

MASSCARDS*

Send 2 samples of the newMass cards from the Guild.Please enclose $1.00 tocover postage and handling.

WILLSWORKSHEETS*

Send a set of willsworksheets, for those withouta will or updating one.

Name_______________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________

City ____________________ State _______ Zip ___________

Phone ( _______) ______________________________

MAIL TO:

The Good Samaritan Guild

Catholic Charities Foundation6900-29 Daniels Pkwy, Box 334, Fort Myers, FL 33912* OR - Call Toll-Free 1-866-410-7656

Visit our new Catholic Charities Foundation website ccfdnswfl.org

As the year-end approaches, itis also the end of a temporarycharitable opportunity that letsqualified individuals make tax-free distributions from their IRAsdirectly to the Catholic CharitiesChristmas Appeal or the CatholicCharities Foundation.

Charitable IRA Rollover Expires December 31, 2007With a Charitable IRA

Rollover, adults age 70 or oldercan transfer up to $100,000 fromtheir individual retirementaccount to a qualified charity,such as Catholic Charities,without incurring income tax onthe withdrawal.

Unless Congress extends theplan, this opportunity will end onDecember 31, 2007. To learn howyou can make the major gift ofyour lifetime, contact CatholicCharities Foundation Director, LouBaumer, today. Call him Toll-Free1-866-410-7656.

Emerald Ball, Naples

Bishop Dewaneguest of honor


Wish ListWish List continued from page 2

Arcadia, Bonita Springs, FortMyers – Summer youth programsare tailor-made to the needs of thecommunities where they are held.In DeSoto and Lee Counties thissummer, Catholic Charities (CC)programs offered education andfun for 170 youth.

In Arcadia at the CC of DeSotoCounty program, 41 childrenattended summer education inJune. The children were identifiedby their schools as requiringadditional work before moving tothe next grade level.

Summer Camps – Education and FunAlong with students feeling

challenged, the CC program hasits own hurdles to overcome.“Our program has one staffmember, limited financialsupport and no volunteers duringthe summer,” said Maria Maton,education program coordinator.Many families do not havetransportation.

In Bonita Springs and FortMyers, three summer youthcamps served a total of 128children in Lee County. AtHispanic Services of CC inBonita Springs, 52 youthparticipated in summertimeeducation, fun activities and fieldtrips. However, the 8-passengervan used to transport the childrenhas needed repairs several times.

“I don’t know how long it isgoing to last,” said Martha Viva,program director in Bonita.During the school year, the vanalso picks up children at theirschool every day and takes themhome from the after-schooltutoring program. If you have avan to donate, please call 239-390-2928.

In Fort Myers, HispanicServices of CC served 35 childrenin the summer program. Also, theHaitian Center of CC assisted 42youth, who made new friendswith teens from St. ColumbkilleParish. When the parish learnedthrough this newsletter in theSummer issue that volunteerswere needed, the youth groupresponded. More than 30members volunteered to help atthe camp. The teens and Haitianyouth bonded as friends throughreading activities, games and soon. Thank you, St. ColumbkilleParish Youth Group!

Undy Sunday, an Inter-FaithCollaboration

• volunteers for office ortutoring

Sarasota – Call Liz at (941)366-1395.• over-the-stove microwave• paper-binding system

Venice –Call Joyce at (941)485-6264.• diapers, sizes 4 & 6• baby wipesCall Yuri at (941) 492-4855.• diapers, blankets, clothing

for 7-month-old boy• gift certificates to Wal-Mart

& local supermarkets

Collier County - DuringAugust, some 50 Collier Countychurches and synagogues askedtheir members to donate newunderwear and socks for needyschool-aged children for the 11thannual Undy Sunday.

Donors brought new socks andnew underwear for boys and girls,sizes 6–12. Around 15 CollierCounty public elementaryschools, Bonita Springs

Elementary in Lee County, YouthHaven and the Shelter for AbusedWomen received the “undies” todistribute to children during theschool year.

After distributing the collectionboxes, volunteers with studentsfrom St. John Neumann HighSchool picked up all the donateditems. Together, they sorted anddistributed the “undies.”

CC of DeSoto County, Arcadia

Field trip of Haitian Center of CC,Fort Myers


President’s Corner

Upcoming Events

Catholic Charities1000 Pinebrook Road

Venice, FL 34285(941) 488-5581 • (941) 484-9543

www.catholiccharitiesdov.org

ArcadiaCatholic Charities of DeSoto County

& Immigration Services

Bonita SpringsHispanic Services of Catholic Charities

BradentonCatholic Charities of Manatee CountyImmigration & Housing Counseling

ClewistonCatholic Charities of Hendry/Glades Counties

Fort MyersDistrict Office (Lee County)

Clare House of Catholic CharitiesCommunity Counseling Services

Haitian CenterImmigration & Refugee Services

of Catholic CharitiesHispanic Services of Catholic Charities

Hardee & Highlands CountiesFood Assistance

ImmokaleeGuadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities

LaBelleCatholic Charities of Hendry/Glades Counties

NaplesDistrict Office (Collier County)

Family Counseling ServicesFamily Resource Center

Refugee Related Services

Port Charlotte/Punta GordaOutreach

Counseling

SarasotaDistrict Office (Sarasota & Manatee Counties)Bethesda House/Joseph’s Place (HIV/AIDS)

Casa San Jose (HIV/AIDS)Direct Assistance Services

Family Counseling ServicesRefugees Employed & Productive (REAP)

St. Martha’s Early Learning Center

VeniceCommunity Resource Coordinator Office

Joseph’s Place (HIV/AIDS)Our Mother’s House of Catholic Charities

Refugee Resettlement Program

WauchulaAdministration of FEMA Funds

To see a listing of our Boards of Directors, visit our website atwww.catholiccharitiesdov.org

FOUNDED

1977

CREDIBILITY • INTEGRITY • ACHIEVEMENT

December Catholic Charities Annual Christmas Appeal.Watch for our letter in your mail box.

Venice Show of Shows. A benefit for Sarasota’s south county SugarBowl Fund; Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m.; VeniceCommunity Center. For tickets call 941-379-9111.

JanuarySarasota 19th Annual Sarasota Catholic Charities Ball. Thursday, Jan.

24, 2008; Ritz Carlton. For tickets call (941) 379-5119.FebruaryFort Myers 9th Annual Venetian Charity Ball. Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008;

Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. For tickets call (239) 334-4007.

Venice 7th Annual Our Mother’s House Wine Tasting. Thursday,Feb.28, 2008; Plantation Golf & Country Club. For ticketscall (941) 485-6264.

MarchArcadia 6th Annual “Boots & Bandannas.” Dinner-Dance for

Catholic Charities of Desoto County; Saturday, March 8,2008; Mission Valley Country Club in Laurel (just northof Venice.) For tickets call Rose at (863) 494-1068.

Naples 23nd Annual Emerald Ball. Saturday, March 15, 2008;Hilton Naples. For tickets call (239) 455-2655.

As the time approaches to celebrateChrist’s birth, I feel grateful for God’sblessings. Grateful for family, friends,work, health, shelter, food and muchmore.

As a lifelong social worker, I amacutely aware of God’s people who arehurting. When individuals and families meet a crisis for the firsttime, they often struggle with embarrassment and fear. CatholicCharities seeks to provide help, create hope and serve all.

Please join us in God’s work. Read this newsletter and learnabout the efforts of Catholic Charities in southwest Florida.

Can you send a contribution to our Christmas Appeal to helpyour neighbors in need?

Please send whatever you can. We appreciate your assistance.

May God bless you this Christmas andthroughout the New Year,

Peter Routsis-Arroyo, President/CEO


Christmas Appeal from page 1

Providing Help...The following brief descriptions are of only a few of our many programs and services that you

support through your gifts to the Christmas Appeal.

Day CareIn downtown Sarasota, St. Martha’s Early Learning Center provides childcare with developmental,

educational and social components for toddlers and children to age 4. Many of these parents eachwork two jobs to make their limited budget work.

The Christmas Appeal will help to make surewe can serve when the need is most critical.

Financial AssistanceIn Sarasota and Manatee Counties, hundreds of needy families

seek crisis assistance to help with rent, utility bills and criticalprescription medicines. Catholic Charities does the most with limitedresources. Many times during the past year we ran out of directassistance funds prior to the end of the month.

CounselingMental health counseling services are available for everyone

at Catholic Charities offices in Fort Myers, Naples, PortCharlotte, Sarasota and Venice. A sliding fee scale is availablefor those in need.

Christmas Appeal on page 7

‘Live Nativity’ of CC of DeSoto County, presented at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Boca Grande

Laura Sikes/Catholic Charities USA


Christmas Appeal from page 6

I am pleased to enclose my tax-deductible gift to the Christmas Appeal._____ $25 _____ $50 _____ $100 _____ $200 $___________ Other_____ Please charge my _____ Visa _____ MasterCardCredit Card # __________________________________________Amount $ _________________ Expiration date _____ / ________Signature _____________________________________________Name ________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________City _____________________ State ______ Zip ____________Phone # ____________________ E-mail ___________________

__________________________________________________

Ch

rist

ma

s A

ppea

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Special Intentionsof My Gift

In Honor of -___________________________________________________________________________

In Memory of -___________________________________________________________________________

(Please see reverse side)

(Required forcredit card approval.)

Providing Help. Creating Hope.

YES, I will help Catholic Charities!

OR

...Creating HopeSingle Mothers

A working single mother comesto our Family Resource Center inNaples for food and assistancewith her utility bill. She and herchildren need your help in orderto make ends meet this Christmas.

At Our Mother’s House ofCatholic Charities in Venice, asingle, homeless mother and babyseek shelter and services. Required classes in budgeting and parenting help her learn to live independently.

Families & ChildrenIn Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, Hispanic and Haitian Services of Catholic Charities focus on the

needs of children and families with food pantries, case management, financial assistance, after-schooltutoring, and other support services.

Expectant MothersToday in Lee County, we are helping young mothers whose babies need clothing, diapers and other

material needs. The Clare House program of Catholic Charities serves these struggling young familieswho are trying to make a better tomorrow for their toddlers and newborns.

Migrant Worker FamiliesIn the Arcadia area, migrant worker families come to our Catholic Charities of DeSoto County

seeking the most basic of survival needs. We help by providing food from our small pantry, donatedclothes for children and adults, and small amounts of direct assistance.

Laura Sikes/Catholic Charities USA


My gift to Catholic Charities Christmas Appeal is to honor:

Name __________________________________________

Address ________________________________________

City ____________________ State _______ Zip _______

Please send a special greeting in my/our name.

Providing Help. Creating Hope.

Administration

93%Services to

People in Need

YOUR GIFT AT WORK

Clip and mail to: Catholic Charities • 6900-29 Daniels Pkwy, Box 334 • Ft. Myers, FL 33912

We ask for your help - because they can’t.Please give generously.

Catholic CharitiesDiocese of VeniceP.O. Box 2116Venice, FL 34284-2116

Annual Christmas AppealWe Use Your Gifts Wisely

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

Emergency Financial Assistance • Food Pantries • Tutoring

Child Day Care • Mental Health Counseling

Shelter for Mothers & Infants

At Catholic Charities, we putyour gifts to work in ourcommunities in southwestFlorida. A full 93 cents of everydollar from the ChristmasAppeal 2007 will be used to helpthose who need help the most.

Last year Catholic Charitiesserved more than 40,000children, families andindividuals.

Who do we serve? They areneedy children, the lonelyelderly, the migrant farmworker, the refugee, and thefamily in crisis. They are God’schildren.

Catholic Charities serves andempowers ALL in need,

regardless of race,nationality or creed.

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDFT MYERS FL

PERMIT NO 184

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