Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida

Letter Carriers Deliver for Catholic Charities

Kelly Humphrey — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:23:53 +0000

Many thanks to our local letter carriers for collecting items for our food pantry during the annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. We appreciate you!

Bridges to Circles Summer 2013 Community Events

Haley Richards — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:21:29 +0000

Sign up for ONE or ALL of the Bridges to Circles Community Events taking place this Summer! Contact Haley Richards for more information (850) 429-7296, ext. 2 or email richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org.

Volunteers Needed for Community Assessment

Haley Richards — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:57:15 +0000

Catholic Charities Bridges to Circles initiative hosts a community assessment offering an opportunity for citizens and local leaders to interact with poverty experts. The community assessment is an essential component of the 15 week Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ by World course. During the assessment, individuals from the community join with course participants in evaluating eight crucial areas to a sustainable community. This event is important because poverty is more than the choices of the poor. It’s important to hold the community accountable for opportunities and protection of all its citizens and to create prosperity. Course participants must be involved in solving community problems, not just their own. Our community must have strategies from all four areas of research; 1) individual behavior; 2) human and social capital in the community; 3) exploitation; 4) political/economic structures for addressing poverty. This event will summarize the strengths of the community as well as areas in need of additional strategies for improvement.

Sign up to assess our community sustainability! The event will take place on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, 1603 N 12th Avenue, Pensacola. Register contact Haley Richards, Bridges to Circles community organizer, (850) 429-7296, ext. 2 or email richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org.

Bridges Out of Poverty Training May 1, 2013

Haley Richards — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:12:33 +0000

Catholic Charities Bridges to Circles will host a Bridges Out of Poverty training to engage people of all classes, races, sectors, and political persuasions in the work of ending poverty and building communities where everyone can live well. The application of Bridges constructs provides an accurate mental model of poverty and class, a way to build relationships of mutual respect, an understanding of the barriers faced by people who are transitioning out of poverty, and a comprehensive systemic way to address all the causes of poverty.

Bridges Out of Poverty is a book written by Dr. Ruby Payne and an approach that helps employers, community organizations, social-service agencies, and individuals address and reduce poverty in a comprehensive way. If you are looking to counter poverty in your community or its impact on people and businesses, explore the innovative concepts and training found in this workshop.

Sign up to participate in this free workshop today! The workshop will take place on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 from 10:00am–12:00pm at Catholic Charities Outreach Center, 1815 N Sixth Ave, Pensacola. Register contact Haley Richards, Bridges to Circles community organizer, (850) 429-7296, ext. 2 or email richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org.

Bridges to Circles Celebrates Service

Haley Richards — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:58:09 +0000

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Circle Leaders, Allies, Guiding Coalition members, Community Partners–all VOLUNTEER to keep our work alive and well–providing opportunities to inspire and equip families and communities to resolve poverty and thrive.

Staff Member Spotlight – Barbara Cesar

David Draper — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:04:47 +0000

Each month the Tallahassee Regional Office will highlight a different staff member. This month we are looking at Barbara Cesar, case manager in the Refugee Social Services Program.

Barbara Lola Cesar joined Catholic Charities in January of 2013 as a Refugee Case Manager. Barbara graduated with her Bachelors of International Affairs from Florida State University. She is currently working towards earning her Masters of Public Administration from Barry University. Prior to working at Catholic Charities, she worked for Refuge House, serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. During her time at Refuge House, she provided a safe and encouraging atmosphere for clients and their children, developed case plans, facilitated support groups, attended to incoming calls on the 24-hour crisis hotline and planned and executed the annual Spring Carnival. Barbara also had an opportunity to create and maintain a Case Management Curriculum and Resource Guide for the Emergency Shelter. Barbara has experience providing assistance with the application process for U-Visa, T-Visa and VAWA. She also played a vital role providing translation services throughout the agency and the Big Bend area.

Barbara is of Cuban and Peruvian descent and has a passion for culture and advocacy. She has been graced with the opportunity to combine her undergraduate degree, experience with trauma, and passion for cultures. As a Refugee Case Manager, she is able understand refugee resettlement and migration issues. In order to gain direct cultural competence, Barbara has had the opportunity to travel and engage in the cultures of the Middle East, South America, Central America, Europe, and The Caribbean.

Congratulations to our intern Tiffany Ross!

David Draper — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:14:42 +0000

Congratulations to our intern Tiffany Ross, who will be serving as a missionary at an orphanage in Honduras for the next two years. We know you will continue to do great things as you serve the children at “Farm of the Child!” Our prayers are with you.

Relationships Build Community!

Haley Richards — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:07:34 +0000

Imagine how different our community and nation would be if we decided to END POVERTY! Bridges to Circles is designed to build enough relationships across economic class lines in our community to cause social and policy change. The Weekly Community meeting provided the Bridges to Circles community with the opportunity to build stronger relationships by having a Spring Social Picnic on March 26, 2013 at Bayview Park in Pensacola, Florida. Circle Leaders, allies, youth, Getting Ahead investigators and many other volunteers gathered to share a potluck meal and get to know each better in order empower people from all economic classes to solve poverty in Escambia County through individual transformation and community change. Get involved by calling Haley Richards at (850) 429-7296, ext. 2 or email richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org.

Bridges to Circles Community Event Calendar is here!

Haley Richards — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:13:08 +0000

Sign up for ONE or ALL of the Bridges to Circles Community Events taking place this Spring! Contact Haley Richards for more information (850) 429-7296 or email richardsh@cc.ptdiocese.org.

2013 Tallahassee Catholic Charities Golf Tournament

David Draper — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:51:34 +0000

The 2013 Tallahassee Catholic Charities Golf Tournament was a great success. We want to extend a big thank you to all of our sponsors and to all of our dedicated golfers. A wonderful time was had by all! Bishop Parkes joined us for the event. He is pictured below with his team “Holy Smokes”. The second team shown below is from Tallahassee Dodge Chrysler Jeep. We wanted to give them an extra special thanks for all of their incredible support. Pictured in the third photo is executive director Mark Dufva. Please enjoy a few other pictures from the event as well.