The spirit of community was alive and well on Thursday morning, as community members, supporters, and partners gathered in Wilmington, NC, hungry for hope and breakfast. Such a gathering only deserved an equally great setting, and Plaza on Princess at the Harrelson Center once again happily delivered for the second annual Rise & Dine Breakfast, raising awareness and support for the vital work of Catholic Charities in the Cape Fear region. The event welcomed more than 60 attendees and raised over $20,000 to support services… Read More
Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh is celebrating a new milestone in its disaster preparedness work: Daniel Altenau, Director of Communications and Disaster Services, and Emilie Hart, Cape Fear Regional Director, are the first two individuals across the Catholic Charities USA network to be officially certified to present the newly updated Essentials for Disaster Case Managers curriculum. The certification recognizes both staff members for their years of experience, preparation, and commitment to strengthening disaster case management… Read More
Disasters come in many forms, and no matter the scale or season, Catholic Charities shows up for neighbors in need. For our Cape Fear regional office, disaster response is not limited to hurricane season; it is a year‑round commitment defined by the realities of coastal living, from flooding and tornadoes to dangerously high temperatures. Each event brings its own challenges, but the mission remains constant: to provide compassionate, practical support when communities are most vulnerable…. Read More
For many nonprofits, disaster response is both a vital opportunity to show up for their community and a challenge marked by familiar hurdles. Fragmented information, rapidly shifting needs, and urgent demand for volunteers and resources can make efficient disaster relief coordination a challenge for even the most seasoned experts. This year, our Cape Fear regional office is taking a major step to overcome these obstacles by supporting the launch of the Nonprofit & Faith-Based Disaster… Read More
Family, friends, volunteers, and partners recently gathered to celebrate a new beginning for a grandmother and her six grandchildren. A long journey filled with challenges has now resulted in a new home for the Abonza family, made possible by their resilience, determination, and the support of their community. At the house blessing and key passing ceremony, joy and gratitude were overflowing. As Emilie Hart, Regional Director for Catholic Charities, reflected, “I met Grandma Teresa about… Read More
On Thursday, September 11, more than 65 supporters gathered at the Harrelson Center in Wilmington for the inaugural Rise and Dine Breakfast, benefitting the Nourishing Our Neighbors Campaign. The event raised over $25,000 to support efforts to expand access to healthy food across the Cape Fear region. The morning began with fellowship, prayer, and words of gratitude for the many community partners who made the event possible. Guests heard powerful stories from Catholic Charities staff… Read More
For people working in disaster preparedness, “blue sky” days are a vital opportunity for communities to build preparedness and improve resiliency before the next disaster. In emergency disaster work, “blue sky” refers to non-disaster periods and “gray sky” is the time around an incident, such as in 2016 for Hurricane Matthew and 2018 for Hurricane Florence here in North Carolina. Catholic Charities Communications and Disaster Services Director Daniel Altenau said, “Each disaster teaches us valuable… Read More
With a hint of Summer’s intense heat already piercing North Carolina, the Catholic Charities (DOR) Cape Fear Regional team is preparing to protect our neighbors, who work or live outside in the extremely hot temperatures of the South. In 2023, Regional Director Emilie Hart began focusing on heat-related dangers facing people who work outside after learning of a fatal incident involving farm workers. “Last year we heard that two farmworkers died of dehydration. We responded… Read More
In the heart of the Creekwood Community in Wilmington, the smell of fresh dirt and the sounds of construction flowed out into the neighborhood just as students were getting home from school. With each shovel of dirt and plenty of hope in their hearts, Cape Fear staff and volunteers worked to create a total of eight raised community garden beds. As some residents in the Creekwood Community are just now returning to their apartments after… Read More
Catholic Charities celebrated its 11th Annual Gala with flair and style Saturday, April 29, 2023. The Gala was held at the beautiful Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley, which provided a perfect backdrop for the festivities. The record-breaking 350 attendees, including the greatest increase in new attendees in the history of the event, arrived in black-tie attire, ready for a night of celebration and fundraising. The atmosphere was electric, with a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation… Read More
