Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs

St.Patrick’s Day Gala

Rochelle — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:09:34 +0000

Please join us on

Saturday, March 13, 2010

at the

Antlers Hilton,

4 South Cascade Ave.

for the 9th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Gala

There will be silent and live auctions,

music by One More Shot,

a seated dinner of Genuine Irish Fare,

a chance to win a Pot O’ Gold of $1,000,

and much more.

Tickets are $95 per person ($40 tax deductible).

For Reservations, please call 719-866-6422.

Interested in becoming a sponsor or hosting a table?

Call 719-866-6443

or email

info@ccharitiescs.org

See you there!

No related posts.

Weigel Event a Success!

Rochelle — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:13:30 +0000

George Weigel addressed over 200 people at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Monday night, February 22nd. The topic of the lecture was, “Charities: The Foundations of Catholic Social Doctrine”. After the lecture, audience members were able to participate in a question and answer session which ranged in scope from the Catholic Church’s view on border patrols, to divorce.

Once the Q&A was over, Jason Christensen, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs, talked about how catholic social doctrine is the foundation for everything we do at Catholic Charities. “We had an unparalleled opportunity to bring in a nationally known scholar to help people appreciate and understand that what we do as an agency is born out of the teachings of the Church,” said Christensen.

The next evening, Mr Weigle spoke to a standing room only crowd at Colorado College. This was just the first in a series of lectures sponsored by the Hanifen Center at Marian House and the Sheffer Fund for Catholic Studies at Colorado College. Look for announcements for the speaker for the Second Annual Hanifen Center at Marian House Diocesan Forum in the Fall.

Colorado Springs Churches Together for Border Experience

Rochelle — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:05:48 +0000

The Pikes Peak Immigrant and Refugee Collaborative (PPIRC) under Catholic Charities is hosting an inter-denominational trip to the U.S./Mexico border at Douglas AZ/Agua Prieta MX from February 21st through February 25th. Representatives from five (5) Christian denominations from Springs churches are getting together to witness some of the reality of the immigration system at the heart of its impact, the border. They will meet with people who are at the center of the border crossing crisis, including some of the people who are motivated to make such a risky and treacherous journey, so that they can better understand why.

Along the way, they will walk in the desert, talk with migrant shelter workers, listen to the experience of the border patrol, and pray together. The purpose of the trip is to bring together people of faith and leadership within the Chrisitian community in Colorado Springs to take a stand for welcoming the stranger in our community. The PPIRC recognizes the need for leadership on this issue from other faith traditions as well, and that this is only a start. Corey Almond, PPIRC Director, and others at the PPIRC believe that our faith leaders have a responsibility to speak with a caring voice to the issue of immigration as it pertains to the lives of decent and good human beings, indeed as it affects our brothers and sisters in faith among us.

picture of Corey Almond, PPIRC director and Jesus Reyes, lead pastor at Centro Familiar Nueva Vida

Don’t Get Caught in Immigration Scam

Rochelle — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:31:37 +0000

It is true that disasters and times of crisis bring out the best and worst in people. USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) warns Haitians applying for temporary protected status to be aware of immigration scams. USCIS has issued a fact sheet and a warning that says:
Please be aware that some unauthorized practitioners may try to take advantage of you by claiming they can file Temporary Protection Status (TPS) forms. These same individuals may ask that you pay them to file such forms. We want to ensure that all potential TPS applicants know how to secure legitimate, accurate legal advice and assistance.

Filling out immigration applications and paperwork can be daunting, but it does not always require the assistance of an attorney. USCIS provides a list of BIA recognized and accredited agencies for seeking authorized help with immigration paperwork, and Catholic Charities Family Immigration Services (FIS) is on that list. FIS received partial recognition in 2008 and has accredited staff to help and serve low income immigrants and refugees with low cost, honest and fair assistance.

For qustions, please contact us at 719.632.8093. For more information regarding this warning, see the TPS Fact Sheet.

For your convenience, listed below is all files available for download on this page.

: Title: TPS Fact Sheet
File: TPS-fact-Sheet.pdf
Size: 46 kB

Free Tax Preparation

Free Tax Preparation

Rochelle — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:24:09 +0000

Beginning this Saturday January 30, the Marian House is offering free on-site income tax preparation through the VITA program. Any household that earned less than $50,000.00 wishing to receive expert volunteer assistance on submitting their taxes is invited to the Marian House on Saturdays from 9:00 – 3:30. These services are offered from January 30 through April 10 only on Saturdays. No appointments necessary. Clients must arrive with their W2 forms and current identification. 1040 tax forms are available on site.

Clients are asked to come to the Hanifen Center waiting room, next to the soup kitchen. A receptionist will check them in to work with one of five tax preparers.

Poverty in America

Rochelle — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:37:07 +0000

Thirty-nine million people live below the official federal poverty level, up from 37.3 million in 2007. With the upcoming census, that number is expected to rise. These numbers are not describing a third world country, or a disaster area. This is what is happening right here in America…the most prosperous country on earth.

As we come to the end of Poverty Awareness Month, it is appalling that more than 39 million people live below the poverty level, which was defined by the US Census Bureau as a $22,025 income for a family of four in 2008. Even more sobering is the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost half of all Americans will have experienced poverty for a year or more at some point in their lives by the time they reach age 60. Quite a wake-up call for all of us who thought our children would be better off financially than our parents.

Recognizing there will always be third world countries that need our help, let’s not forget there is also great suffering here, in our own communities. Poverty is affecting our friends and family, the children in our child’s classroom, a co-worker, our neighbor next door. There are not many people who do not know someone who has either lost a job, had their home foreclosed upon, or who has needed to seek out support from local social service agencies.

Here at Catholic Charities, the number of people who come to us for services has continued to rise. Since 2008, we have seen meals served to children at the Marian House Soup Kitchen double. Additionally, the overall number of meals served has increased to more that 600 on most days (up from 400 just two years ago), with that number rising beginning the middle of the month when household budgets begin to run out. More sobering is the fact that towards the end of the month, it has become the norm for the number of meals served to increase to the mid to high 700’s.

Other Marian House services have seen 20%+ increases across the board. In Life Support Services, it is almost impossible to keep baby food, formula, and diapers on the shelves. With the increased number of people seeking services, donations simply cannot keep up with demand. Community Outreach is not able to deliver as many food baskets as in previous years, as they simply do not have the donations of small food items to fill the need.

Poverty in America is at a crisis level. Please reach out and help those in our community who need help the most.

To read more about poverty, please visit Catholic Charities USA.

Disaster in Haiti

Rochelle — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:14:56 +0000

Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA, extends heartfelt prayers and concerns to all of the individuals and families so tragically impacted by this disaster. CCUSA encourages support of Catholic Relief Services, the Church’s agency for international response, and other agencies who are immediately responding to this tragedy, and we stand ready to assist their efforts. To read the Associated Press account, click here.

Photo courtesy of AP

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to be at the Marian House Monthy

National Migration Week

Rochelle — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:23:41 +0000

Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice is the theme of the 2010 National Migration Week, held January 3 – 9. The observance began over 25 years ago by the bishops to be a moment for Catholics to take stock of the wide diversity of the Church and the ministries serving them. As the face of the local churches continue to change, these materials are becoming more and more necessary. The materials created for National Migration Week also provide an important educational resource that can be used by individuals, families, schools, and parishes to learn about the complex issues surrounding migration phenomena.

Following the lead of Pope Benedict, who is focusing on “Minor Migrants and Refugees” for the 2010 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, we are focusing on migrant children as a sub-theme this year. Included in this year’s new material is a poster, a prayer card, and a bulletin insert that focuses on children’s issues. Additionally, we are launching a National Migration Week Small Grants Program that will provide funding for small projects related to migrant or refugee children, which are launched by parishes, schools and local Catholic organizations. In coordination with The Catholic University of America, a new educational website will focus on the important role that the Catholic Church has played in the immigration debate throughout Twentieth Century America. Finally, we are highlighting a fantastic new curriculum that and which was created by Jesuit Refugee Services. We hope that both educational sites will be a great resource for teachers, directors of religious education and others interested in this issue.

We hope that you will use the materials developed for National Migration Week as a resource for further reflection on these very important issues. A wide variety of resources is available through USCCB publishing to assist you in this endeavor. Contact them at 800-235-8722 or visit their website at www.usccbpublishing.org to browse Migration and Refugee Services material

Colorado Springs Churches Together for Border Experience

Year End Charitable Giving

Rochelle — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:29:02 +0000

The year is coming to a close very quickly! Don’t forget to make your Year -End Charitable Gift to receive tax credit for the current tax year. As donors to Catholic Charities, don’t forget the special tax credit opportunities that makes your donations go even further:

The El Paso County Enterprise Zone Tax Credit offers a 25% tax credit for $500 minimum donations to the Marian House;

and the

Colorado State Child Care Contribution Tax Credit offers a 50% tax credit of donations to the Life Connections program.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your continued support. Without you, we could not serve those in our community who need help the most. Thank you for all you do, and may you have a very happy holiday season.

If you have any questions, please call 719-866-6440.

Angel Project Delivers

Rochelle — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:06:14 +0000

The Angel Project, a new organization here in Colorado Springs, whose goal is to plant the seed of compassion, joy and service among children 3 years of age and up, delivered coats, food and money to the Marian House to help other children who are not as fortunate as they are.

“We want to teach our kids to give back. We want them to understand that they are so blessed, and there are those who don’t have as much as we do,” said Kanda Calef, the mother of two small children who are part of the Angel Project group.

Vickie Smith, the founder of the Angel Project, said the Marian House event was the first project for the group and it was named the 1-2-3 project. Each child was asked to get one coat, two cans of food, and a $3 donation to help other children who did not have as much as they did. “Our group promotes random acts of kindness,” she said. “We plan to do a project each month. We’re going to sing at an assisted living facility, or we might be in a neighborhood and take the trash cans up from the road to the door, or we might show up at a King Soopers and unload someones basket. Each time we do a ‘random act of kindness’, we will leave a card that says, ‘You’ve Been Touched By An Angel: Pay It Forward.’ ”

Rochelle Schlortt, director of communications for Catholic Charities told the children, “your gifts will help other children have a wonderful Christmas. Thank you so much for your compassion and your generous spirit. It is wonderful to see children at such a young age understand the importance of charity.

If you would like to join this group, contact Vickie at: theangelproject33@yahoo.com.

The donations from this group as well as other donations, will help many children with food and clothing in various programs of Marian House. Last year, over 54,000 items of childrens clothing were distributed through the Marian House Life Support Center, and more than 24,000 pounds of food were delivered to families who could not come to our location to receive services. Additionally, over 9,000 meals were served to children in the Marian House Soup Kitchen. Your financial support and donations of goods and services, are very much appreciated.