January 2023 E-News

Adopt a Family was a Success

Catholic Charities was able to bless over 700 families with gifts or health bags for Christmas 2022! From our volunteer department setting up the Adopt-A-Family site to the donors that adopt and shop and the volunteers that help organize and collect, then finally the case managers and program directors who pick up and deliver to the homes of those most in need, it takes us all to make a difference. This great collaborative effort is successful because of you!

By Lauren Pardue Combel

We began 2022 with our director of Counseling Solutions, Dr. Lisa Surrency, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, registered Play Therapist reminding us to take "A day at a time". Still concerned over new COVID variants and really just beginning the recovery from Hurricane Ida that hit our area, August 29, 2021. Prioritizing the important people in your life matters the most.

In February we heard from various programs about the reason why we do what we do at Catholic Charities. We learned that our Early/Head Start program has a pregnancy support program. We learned about the incredible hearts of those that parent foster children in our Therapeutic Family Services program. We met an elderly couple that have found the community they cherish at our PACE center.

In March Tatiana Rodriquez was our International Woman's Day spotlight with her beautiful story of success here in the United States. April is volunteer month and here at CCANO we celebrate our volunteers! Spring parties at ESL and two 101 birthday parties at our PACE programs. Our Father's Day newsletter featured a story about our CCANO Board Chariman on what it means to be a father.

With the beginning of our fiscal year in July we hard about some innovative events happening at Head Start with the white coat ceremony. In September we would get to experience a special 50 year anniversary of our Pregnancy Services program. Bethlehem Housing success stories were plentiful this year, featured in several newsletters and our Annual Report.

October brought us an introduction to our new AHCA Campaign Committee Chairs, Vaughn and Doug Downing and we are now at over 80% of our AHCA goal! Cornerstone Builders received warranted attention in November at the Governor's Round Table event. Showing a 97% success rate with those individuals that have gone through our re-entry program from St. Tammany, New Orleans and Jefferson Parishes means we are making a difference.

2022 has been eventful and we are clear about our plans in 2023. We are compelling, welcoming, empathetic, collaborative and discerning. CCANO assisted over 50,000 individuals in 2022 and expect to continue the work of empowering the vulnerable in our community to break harmful cycles of suffering and move people from crisis to stability and self-sufficiency. We are Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans.

New CCANO Board Member 2023: Allison Millet Daigle

Allison Millet Daigle

Allison Millet Daigle currently holds the position of CEO at the Woman's New Life Clinic which has offices in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Mark Spansel, CCANO's Chairman of the Board of Directors invited Allison to join the Board after having worked with her through the Woman's New Life Clinic.

What is your hope for CCANO?

My hope is for CCANO to continue to serve the most vulnerable in our community, as the hands and feet and heart of Jesus Christ.

Do you have a personal story that is part or the reason you agreed to join the CCANO board?

As the CEO of Woman's New Life Clinic, I've been blessed to work with several of the staff of Catholic Charities in both the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Baton Rouge. We partner with ACCESS Pregnancy Center and the Adoption Agency, and we have referred clients to many of the other programs ans services of Catholic Charities as well. My life's passion has been for the respect and dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death. We must protect the most vulnerable, and that is accomplished through the life-giving care of Catholic Charities.

Where do you see CCANO moving toward in the near and distant future?

I look foward to CCANO serving more families and individuals in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and beyond. CCANO is providing help and hope to thousands. The Catholic Church's response to those in need is supported by the great, ongoing work of CCANO.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: Ciara Independent Living

"It really was a miracle when Brittany called me," said Barbara during our interview at the Ciara Independent Living office on Dante St. "I had nowhere to go. I was homeless and had serious health issues. The timing was perfect, and she was so sweet and understanding."

"I am so happy to see the progress Barbara has made. After three surgeries and much recuperation she looks great. She is able to move forward with her life and goals." Brittany Simmons, Program Coordinator at Ciara Independent Living continued, "Our goal is to move the client into a stable situation so they can become fully independent again. We assisted Barbara in navigating the healthcare system by setting up medical appointments, transportation, and medication management. We also provide a food pantry once a month, case management, along with therapeutic services through our Counseling Solutions Program at CCANO. The community and friendships Barbara has made at Ciara has played a huge role in her healing process."

"Thank you! Thank you so much for helping me. I don't know that I would be alive without this program." say Barbara.

Click the LEARN MORE button for more details on this story.

 Kevin Fitzpatrick, Director of the Office of Justice and Peace, provided a presentation on the Root Sources of Incarceration. Along with discussing Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans Prison Ministry and Re-entry programs during the CCUSA Gathering in Baltimore on September 29, 2022. Catholic Charities USA is looking to CCANO as a model of wraparound services for justice-involved people both while incarcerated and after they are released. CCUSA is hoping more local Catholic Charities affliates can follow our lead and invest more into this highly vulnerable and needy population.

For more information on our Office of Justice and Peace please click on the link below.

Do you know a senior with food insecurity?

Food insecurity is not having enough calories and/or nutritional food options. Poor nutritution is a leading cause of illness in the United States. Unfortunately, Louisiana ranks second worst in the country for the number of seniors at risk of facing food insecurity. Heart failure, depression and asthma are some of the risks that are likely to be experienced by those without access to food security.

If you or somone you know might qualify for a monthly box of USDA supplemental food, sign up at www.ccano.org/food-for-seniors.

 Donations to the AHCA raise crucial unrestricted funds that allow Catholic Charities to respond swiftly, effectively and compassionately in times of crisis or disaster. Our goal is $1.75 million, and Vaughn and Doug Downing are this year's chair couple. To find out more about our programs go to: https://www.ccano.org/program-directory/

To make your AHCA gift today, please click the button below.