SAMARITAN - Catholic Charities

1 SAMARITANSUMMER 2017Q Volunteer SaturdaysSeptember 16 & December 169:00 12:00 more information, contact or 901-722-4797Q Providing Hope Kick-offBenefitting all Catholic Charities of West Tennessee ProgramsNovember 1Q Immigration: Naturalization and Citizenship Preparation ClassesRecurring every Monday at 1325 Jefferson Ave Call 901-722-4730 for more informationQ Bouquets of HopeMondays as flowers are donated For more information, contact Mobile Food Pantry DistributionAugust 31 St. Mary s JacksonSeptember 28 IC Union CityContact to volunteer or for more informationInside This IssueCamp Love & Learn 1 Genesis Homeless Services 2 Letter from the President/CEO 3 Feeding the Hungry 3 Catholic HEART Workcamp 3 Immigration Services 4 Upcoming EventsThese words spoken by our Holy Father in The Joy of the Gospel: Evangelii Gaudium express the spirit of Camp Love & Learn 2017, which was the BEST SUMMER EVER.

2 Over 200 campers attended the seven week enrichment camp at St. Anne or St. Paul in Memphis. Campers experienced weekly field trips to a variety of places, like bowling and the zoo! Every Friday, campers went swimming and had an amazing time at the summer, the children of Memphis are invited to have a summer experience that focuses on learning, nutrition, and, of course, FUN! Campers range in age from rising kindergartners to rising fifth graders and are taught by licensed and experienced teachers. The curriculum focuses on building essential math and reading skills to help campers succeed in the upcoming school year.

3 Last year, campers made impressive gains in their comprehension skills with over 65% of campers making gains! What an exciting accomplishment!Parents and campers alike enjoyed the safe and fun atmosphere at Camp Love & Learn! Our campers made new friends, participated in dramatic plays and arts and crafts, and learned about different cultures through weekly themes. Field trips this year even took campers to the cinema to a summer movie series, Incredible Pizza, and skating! Campers at both the St. Anne and St. Paul locations visited a book fair sponsored by International Paper.

4 They were so excited to see all the books available to them! Daily reading time is a part of the Camp Love & Learn curriculum and parents were excited to see how their child was excited to read after camp!The dedicated teachers and staff of Camp Love & Learn worked tirelessly each day to show campers that learning is FUN through a variety of activities and lessons. These enthusiastic educators work to stop the summer academic slide through the curriculum. We already can t wait for next summer s Camp Love & Learn to see what amazing things will happen!

5 To find out how you can help, please contact Virginia Davenport, Camp Director, at 901-722-4716 or visit Camp Love & Learn s website at we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God. Pope FrancisAfter the closure of Genesis House in March 2016, Genesis Homeless Services opened at 1325 Jefferson Avenue on July 1, 2016. The beginning of the fiscal year was also the beginning of a new venture at Catholic Charities and what a new year it was!Genesis Homeless Services is a Rapid Rehousing Program that works to provide needs assessments, permanent housing placements, temporary financial assistance, and case management services to one of the most vulnerable populations in Memphis and Shelby County.

6 The targeted population includes literally homeless individuals who may suffer with mental health/alcohol or drug related issues and victims of domestic violence. Moreover, Genesis Homeless Services provides assistance to homeless veterans and their families who do not qualify for VA sponsored program director works closely with two case managers and a program coordinator to ensure monthly one on one case management sessions (via home or office visits) and updates are completed with each of the clients being served. Additionally, the program director and the case managers work with different management companies around Memphis to find suitable and affordable housing for the clients.

7 Each client receives a detailed individualized housing and financial stability plan and works closely with their assigned case manager to ensure success in the the course of the 2016 2017 fiscal year, Genesis Homeless Services provided assistance to over 100 clients, exceeding their initial goal by over 35%. Many of these clients have carried over services into the new 2017 2018 fiscal year. Over two-thirds of the clients served in the initial year of Genesis Homeless Services were placed in permanent housing, an amazing feat from a young SaturdaysVolunteer Saturdays are a great way to get involved with CCWTN.

8 We host family friendly service opportunities four times a year from 9:00 until 12:00 Locations vary. Contact Lucie Johnson at 901-722-4797 or for more information. 2017 Dates: September 16 & December 16 StaffRev. John Hourican, Interim President/CEOD eacon Philip Moore, Interim Vice PresidentBrenda O Looney, Director of Finance and AdministrationTherese Gustaitis, Director of Parish Social MinistryWISH LISTWe have an extra special need for the following items: Men s pants in various sizes New socks and underwear in all sizesFor more information on the needs of our Clothes Closet, please contact Lucie Johnson at DirectorsMary Jordan, Genesis Homeless ServicesAl Butson, St.

9 Sebastian Veteran ServicesChris Butson, Immigration ServicesVirginia Davenport, Camp Love & LearnLucie Johnson, Coordinator of Supportive ServicesChristina Hash, Bouquets of Hope and Community EngagementMegan Race, Immigration Services attorneyRachel D Addabbo, Executive AssistantBoard of Directors Ivette Baldizon, Shelby County Mayor s Office, ChairBill Rosatti, FTN Financial, Vice ChairAmy Clunan, Autozone, Inc, SecretaryCarol Bigam, FedEx CorporationAllie Bond, Jr, Retired International PaperRon Brandon Catholic Diocese of MemphisAnne Marie Kadien, Community VolunteerRev.

10 Msgr. Al Kirk, Catholic Diocese of MemphisRichard Lynch, Southeastern Investment CorporationDr. Evelyn McDonald, Retired Christian Brothers UniversityDeacon Phil Moore, Catholic Charities of West TennesseeDr. Linda Tharp Pate, OP, Tharp s Optical BoutiqueJustin Reed, SunTrust BankVirginia Scherer, Community VolunteerDr. John Smarrelli, Jr, Christian Brothers UniversityJohn Stukenborg, St. Jude Children s Research HospitalChris Wallace, Memphis GrizzliesEach one of them is Jesus in disguise.