For the third consecutive year, Centro para Familias Hispanas welcomed spring by opening its door to community members, sponsors and volunteers. On Thursday, April 11th the organization hosted their annual Open House at their facility located at 2013 N. Raleigh Blvd in Raleigh. Over 60 people gathered at Centro para Familias Hispanas to learn about their various programs that are offered, including: Support of the Family Services, Adult Education Classes, Smart Start Funded Childhood Development Programs & Services, Legal Immigration Services, After-School Reading Tutoring and an Employment Program. Maty Ferrer,… Read More
By Kate Turgeon Watson, NC Catholics Ribbon cuttings are a common thread at opening events. They symbolize new beginnings with the same exuberance that a giant, cardboard check uses to symbolize a big donation. That single ribbon, often bright red, ceremoniously falls to two sides and elicits applause and cheers. But the Oak City Cares ribbon cutting, like some of the event’s speakers, didn’t follow a script. It had a heart of its own. The ribbon wasn’t red, but green (to symbolize the city of Raleigh), blue (for Wake County)… Read More
Less than a year ago, Ashley and her daughter were spending each night in a different place and this young mother’s idea of having a home of her own was only a dream. Ashley then decided to seek help. Soon after a social worker introduced her to the Support Circles Program for Homeless Families (Support Circles), a Catholic Charities program which empowers participants to achieve realistic, long-term, career, housing and financial management objectives. Carolyn McClendon, assistant director for Support Circles, helped Ashley enroll in the program and set her on… Read More
On Sunday, March 24th, the last meals were served from the Oak City Outreach Center. For almost five years, the City of Raleigh, the Raleigh Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness, the Raleigh Police Department, and Catholic Charities have collaborated to make the Center a success. During that time, nearly 400,000 meals were shared with individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger on weekends. “What exceeded expectations was the energy and the warmth of all the volunteers and support from the partnership working with Catholic Charities.” shared Scott Payne, Assistant Director… Read More
It’s obvious that Darlene is fighting back tears. “I’m sorry,” she says. “I don’t normally get emotional like this. It’s just been so hard, and I’ve been on my own for so long – I’m not used to having to ask for help. And I can’t let my girls see me cry. They’ve been through enough.” But the good news is that this is it. The final stretch. Almost six long months after the storm, Darlene and her two daughters are finally ready to move into a brand new home…. Read More
The North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster recently named Daniel Altenau, Catholic Charities director of Disaster Services, president. Now in his fourth year serving on the NC VOAD board, Altenau has been involved with the Catholic Charities disaster services program for the past five years, and has served on the National VOAD Communications Committee for the past three years. “I have really enjoyed being a part of the NC VOAD and serving on the board,” shared Altenau, who was chosen for the president role Feb. 20. “Responding to Hurricane… Read More
On Tuesday, February 26th, at the United Way of Cumberland County Annual Meeting, the Catholic Charities Fayetteville Office was recognized as the “Partner Agency of the Year.” Catholic Charities was selected by the United Way leadership because they, “Demonstrated outstanding community work based on community impact and exemplifying United Way’s mission to give, advocate and volunteer.” “We were all very surprised,” shared Ms. Wanda Collazo, the Catholic Charities Fayetteville Regional Director. “I am very grateful, and I am very proud of my team and volunteers. This award demonstrates that all… Read More
In recent days, the phone has not stopped ringing for Consuelo Kwee, Director of Immigration Services of Catholic Charities in Raleigh. Since February 5th, when a series of posts on social networks warned about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity at the Bear Creek factory in Sanford, many immigrants have been panicked, Kwee shared. She oversees the Catholic Charities immigration staff, accredited by the Department of Justice (DOJ), who are serving the community, and they have heard from many fearful families. “The agents had a list of the people they… Read More
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Food Pantry in Fayetteville is now providing meat and fresh produce to many families in need, thanks to Food Lion. Back in November 2019, in the middle of one of the pantry’s busiest months of the year, and right before Thanksgiving, a big surprise arrived at the Catholic Charities Fayetteville Office…the Food Lion Great Pantry Makeover. As a partner agency of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast N.C. in Fayetteville, the Catholic Charities Fayetteville team assists an average of over 600 families in need of… Read More
A trench through the middle of the floor. A single wall in the entire 7,300 sq. ft. building. The ceiling support is visible. Soon, this will be the home of the new Durham Community Food Pantry. Construction has begun on space in the Lakewood Shopping Center to renovate this facility to make it a welcoming place for the new Catholic Charities program. Durham and Orange County residents who struggle to put a meal on the table will be able to receive about a week’s worth of groceries through this program…. Read More
