Each year, the Catholic Charities Board of Directors gathers to welcome new members. This September, for the first time in two years due to COVID-19, the Catholic Charities Board was able to gather in person to celebrate this event. On Sept. 2 a commissioning ceremony was held in the chapel of the Catholic Center, which is the main office for the Diocese of Raleigh. Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama presided over the ceremony and thanked the new board members for responding to the call to serve Catholic Charities in this capacity…. Read More
Message from the Executive Director Thousands of Afghan refugees are resettling in the U.S. because of the dangerous situation in their home country. They helped the U.S. military for 20 years and now they need the help of others. At Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, we work to provide help, create hope, and serve all, including these recent Afghan refugees. However, providing refugee specific services is a complex process and requires a specific skillset, one that is not currently part of our services. Catholic Charities will look to… Read More
RALEIGH – The Triangle Business Journal announced its 2021 class of Leaders in Diversity awards July 27, and Lisa Perkins, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh, was among the 12 individual winners. According to a TBJ online news story, the program is designed to “recognize the accomplishments of Triangle businesses, individuals and nonprofits as they come together to weave a diverse foundational fabric into the heart of the local community.” The story noted that “winners have demonstrated respect for inclusive treatment of others, advocacy for underrepresented… Read More
Fayetteville Region: Parish Highlight Series Support from local parishes is vital for Catholic Charities offices to meet the many and various needs of individuals and families within the Diocese of Raleigh. Each year, the staff at the Catholic Charities Office in Fayetteville witness the enthusiasm for helping others displayed by local parishes which supports them in providing high quality services to the community. This week, we are featuring the incredible work of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and their local Knights of Columbus Council who have been incredible supporters of the… Read More
In summer 2020, the produce-packing room at the Durham Community Food Pantry filled with the smells of oregano, cilantro, parsley, thyme, and basil. Local organizations such as the Scrap Exchange and churches such as Holy Cross kindly donated bundles of herbs and vegetables every week fresh from their community gardens. Each Tuesday, volunteers marveled at the bright peppers and bulbous tomatoes. Families received boxes filled to the brim with local produce and flavors of North Carolina. As volunteers and staff members discussed the incredible impact of the donations from local… Read More
Generating Resources and Opportunities for Wellness – that is the mission of the GROW project and how the program got its name. Founded by a group of UNC Chapel Hill undergraduates, GROW is “a social innovation project” aiming to “create resources and opportunities centered around mental, physical, and nutritional wellness for those experiencing food insecurity in the Triangle.” The GROW team plans to curate these resources for Durham Community Food Pantry clients through a series of programs throughout the summer. The team will bring in local experts, host demonstrations, and… Read More
Debbie Reed moved to Durham in 2014, after a career as a management consultant for both For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations. Her Non-Profit career took her through various parts of the world including India, Tanzania, and Kenya before arriving in New York as the COO of the National Academy Foundation. At the National Academy Foundation, Reed supported the agencies mission to create specialized programs within public high schools to teach students essential personal and professional skills such as finance. Upon retirement, Reed moved to the Southeast United States to be closer… Read More
Fayetteville Region: Parish Highlight Series Support from local parishes is vital for Catholic Charities offices to meet the many and various needs of individuals and families within the Diocese of Raleigh. Each year, the staff at the Catholic Charities Office in Fayetteville witness the enthusiasm for helping others displayed by local parishes which supports them in providing high quality services to the community. This week, we are featuring the incredible work of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and their local Knights of Columbus Council who have been incredible supporters of the… Read More
Support from local parishes is vital for Catholic Charities offices to meet the many and various needs of individuals and families within the Diocese of Raleigh. Each year, the staff at the Catholic Charities Office in Fayetteville witness the enthusiasm for helping others displayed by local parishes which supports them in providing high quality services to the community. Even in the midst of the pandemic, this collaboration never stopped coming. Without local churches and their constant support, the office would not have been able to do all that they did…. Read More
*For privacy concerns, names were changed in this story. Eviction is a reality that far too many families face when they struggle to pay their bills each month. This is the situation that Diane Lane found herself in before coming to the Durham Community Food Pantry, a program of Catholic Charities. After suffering job related injuries, Lane’s monthly income dwindled down to only $400 a month. As a result, she was struggling to pay her December rent. On top of her financial challenges, Lane was also caring for her elderly… Read More
