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September 2020 E-News
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| HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT |
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Catholic Charities' staff and Spirit of Hope program have continued working to help our neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Hurricane Laura impacted Lake Charles, Catholic Charities has been there providing emergency assistance and sanitary kits to hurricane evacuees in New Orleans.
Catholic Charities' Spirit of Hope program has been stationed at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center providing FEMA benefit information to over 1,500 families and emergency assistance to over 100 evacuees. Archbishop Gregory Aymond was even on site to bless evacuees.
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| COVID RESPONSE UPDATE |
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Catholic Charities' response during COVID-19 never wavered. Over 50,000 new and existing CCANO clients and 3,929 persons have been served by Catholic Charities' COVID-19 Case management team and the St. Lawrence Food Pantry.
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66% of all clients served by COVID-response case management and St. Lawrence Food Pantry reside in Jefferson (46%) and Orleans (20%) parishes.
- Jefferson - 801 Households
- Orleans - 608 Households
- Blank - 316 Households
- St. Tammany - 245 Households
- Washington - 182 Households
- Saint Charles - 121 Households
- Plaquemines - 105 Households
- St. John the Baptist - 90 Households
- Saint Bernard - 53 Households
- Other - 111 Households
Total - 2631 Households served
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The Food Pantry served an additional 1,298 households by parish of residence for a grand total of 3,929 persons served.
- Jefferson - 1,021 Households
- Orleans - 173 Households
- St. Charles - 26 Households
- St. James - 26 Households
- Saint Bernard - 15 Households
- Plaquemines - 10 Households
- St. John - 10 Households
- St. Landry - 5 Households
- St. Tammany - 5 Households
- Tangipahoa - 5 Households
Total - 1,298 Households served |
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| SAVE THE DATE: |
October 15
Volunteer Information Session will be held on October 15, 2020 at 4:00PM at 1000 Howard Avenue, 2nd floor, New Orleans, LA 70113. All volunteers must attend a Volunteer Information Session. To learn more about the information session, visit their program page.
October 28
Pregnancy and Adoption Services' ACCESS Night at College Inn Dine In and Take Out Night will be held on October 28 from 4pm - 11pm. For more information, visit here. To learn more about Pregnancy and Adoption Services, visit their program page.
December 8
St. Vincent Infant and Maternity Guild Christmas Luncheon and Mass will take place at Metairie Country Club on December 8, 2020 at 10:30AM. For more information, visit their program page.
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| VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: |
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 CORNERSTONE:
Catholic Charities' Cornerstone Program is looking for mentor volunteers (especially male mentors).
 ESL and FAMILY LITERACY:
Trainings to volunteer for ESL (English as a Second Language) and Family Literacy will be held virtually in October.
All volunteers must attend the Policies and Procedures (P&P) training first.
Family Literacy - October 7 at 6pm
P&P - October 12 at 11am
ESL - October 20 at 6pm
Family Literacy - October 21 at 11am
P&P - October 26 at 6pm
To sign up for ESL and Family Literacy trainings, contact Sami Barefield.
Volunteer by emailing Shannon Murphy and for more information,visit here.
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| WELCOME TO LISA SURRENCY! |
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Welcome to our new Program Director of Counseling Solutions, Lisa Surrency! For her new position, Lisa answered some questions about her new role and also offered some advice for people dealing with anxiety due to COVID-19 and for National Recovery Month.
Can you talk about what it mean to have the position of Program Director of Counseling Solutions?
"Well, I am currently enrolled as a doctoral student for Counselor Education and Supervisor, as I have always wanted to be a leader in the field of counseling. I believe as the new Program Director, this will help me be able to guide and be a role model for other counselors, social workers and student interns working within the program. For me, having this position means I can help grow this program and better serve our clientele!"
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Lisa Surrency spoke about handling anxiety and stress due to COVID-19 and advice for National Recovery Month.
What is your number 1 piece of advice you are giving people during these crazy times of COVID-19?
"My advice is to remember self-care practices. Self-care does not being selfish. I have to remember this daily! If I am not practicing self-care, then how can I continue to be an active leader for my colleagues and a guide for clients."
What advice/ recommendations would you make for national recovery month?
"My recommendations for someone in recovery during this time, would be attend meetings, reach out to their sponsors and find a mental provider (social worker or counselor) to speak with. "
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| NEW PROGRAM UPDATES: |
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 Food Pantry Client and Volunteer is Thankful for the Pantry
Mondy Isaac is a client and volunteer of the Food Pantry. Mondy lives with her husband, and several nieces and nephews that she is taking care of.
She speaks about why she came to Catholic Charities, saying "When I lost my job during the COVID 19 pandemic, I came to the food pantry to get some help. The help I got here means a lot to my family."
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 Pregnancy and Adoption Services Sees Increased Need
Pregnancy (Formerly ACCESS) and Adoption Services has seen an increased number of clients since March, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these clients are in crises due to lost jobs or income. The number of clients needing diapers from the Diaper Bank has also increased. The Diaper Bank has given out more diapers than ever before.
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 The Food Pantry Provides for 153 Clients, 28 New Families
Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry operates Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and operates rain or shine! The Food Pantry is located at 2505 Maine Avenue, Metairie, LA 70003. Anyone can visit the food pantry. Clients receive a bag full of non-perishable food items.
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DONATE TO AHCA
Donate to Archbishop Hannan Community Appeal (AHCA) and help Catholic Charities meet the needs of the community.
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