Give to the Archbishop's Community Appeal
updated: January 5, 2008
We are in the home stretch of the annual fundraising campaign to support the work of Catholic Charities: the Archbishop's Community Appeal (ACA).
As of January 5,, we have raised $1,409,609 of our $1.6 million goal. We need your help to reach our goal to help the poor and vulnerable in the New Orleans Area.
Your gift to the ACA will fund programs of Catholic Charities in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The ACA has been supported by business and community leaders for more than 40 years.
Catholic Charities holds the the highest rating for fiscal responsibility from Charity Navigator, an independent non-profit ranking agency. 94.5 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to program goods and services.
DONATE TODAY
See what business and community leaders have to say about the ACA >
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Free Tax Preparation from Community Centers
posted: December 30, 2008
Catholic Charities is providing free tax preparation assistance this year.
- $41,646 household income limit
- Special emphasis on families with children
- No itemizing
- Bring your W2, ID, Social Security cards, bank information, & child care provider’s ID #
- Ask about the EITC and Child Tax credits
2 Locations (call for an appointment):
Sojourner Truth Community Center
2200 Lafitte Street, New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 827-9963
Hope Haven Community Center
1131 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072
(504) 371-7747
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Catholic Charities Achieves Accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA)
posted: December 18, 2008
We are delighted to inform you that Catholic Charities has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation. We have been working diligently toward this goal since December of 2005, when, in a post-Katrina world, we re-committed ourselves to excellence in everything we do. Since accreditation by COA covers the entire organization, this is an acknowledgment that the work we have done is based on best practice standards performed by a skilled staff providing the highest quality service at all levels of the organization.
This achievement reflects three years of work on the part of a full-time staff person, countless staff hours and the support of our Board of Directors and Mission Committee. We have become one of only twelve agencies in Louisiana to achieve COA accreditation. This designation is similar to accreditation awarded to hospitals and universities.
The journey is not over. Accreditation is a living, breathing process. As we move forward on this path, the processes implemented along the way will allow us to continue to provide the most innovative, highest quality care for those we serve.
We thank our dedicated supporters for providing the impetus that allowed us to achieve this distinguished recognition. Our successful completion of this objective and reliable verification process allows our community partners to support Catholic Charities with confidence.
Visit the COA website for more information on the accreditation process >
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After School Assembly Meets Emeril!
posted: December 9, 2008
Recently, children from the Cathedral Academy location of After School Assembly took a field trip to a demonstration presented by Chef Emeril Lagasse. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation has been generous to After School Assembly, providing for a cooking class as part of the program.
Cathedral Academy's After School Assembly class with Chef Emeril.
Chef Emeril talks to an After School Assembly student.
Check out Our Programs for Children and Families >
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A Gift that Gives Back
posted: December 5, 2008
 Give your friends and family a different gift this year: donate to Catholic Charities. We will send the recipients of your gift special Christmas cards acknowledging that you made a gift in honor of them. The cards feature a stained glass nativity scene from Holy Name of Mary Parish, located in Algiers, LA.
Your gift will help the poor and vulnerable in the Greater New Orleans Area. Please call (504) 592-5694 if you are interested in giving the gift that gives back this year. You can even designate your gift to go to the Archbishop's Community Appeal.
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First Lady Laura Bush visits an Operation Helping Hands site
On October 30, First Lady Laura Bush visited the home of Joretta Roman, whose home flooded in Hurricane Katrina. Operation Helping Hands volunteers have been working to rebuild the home.
Pictured with Mrs. Bush, center, are Jim Kelly, Co-President & CEO of Catholic Charities, Mrs. Roman, members of the Operation Helping Hands Team, and Gulf Coast Recovery Director General Douglas O'Dell. Photo by Chris Greenberg.
More information on Operation Helping Hands >
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Second Annual Hope Haven Clean-up Day
Representative Pat Connick hosted a special day of service to help clean up the grounds at Hope Haven in Marrero. The Hope Haven campus houses Jefferson CARE Center, Independent Living Skills program, and Catholic Charities Community Center.
If you'd like to view photos from the service day, please click here or on the photo.
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Free Equipment Available for the Deaf
Catholic Charities’ Deaf Action Center has partnered with the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf to loan hearing and speech equipment without fees to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.
The Deaf Action Center offers the following equipment to connect those with hearing or speech disabilities to the hearing world:
- Amplified Telephone: Designed with a volume control to be increased on both the handset and the ringer
- Voice Carry Over Devices
- Light Signalers & Receivers
- TDD’s/TTY’s
- Telebraillers (TDD’s/TTY’s)
- Large Visual Display (TDD’s/TTY’s)
- Pocket Speak and Read/VCO
- Compact TDD’s
There are several requirements to receive the equipment. Please contact Michelle Simoneaux at (504) 481-0961 or msimoneaux@archdiocese-no.org or Shari Bernius at (504) 615-7122 or sabernius@archdiocese-no.org for more information.
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
To recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Catholic Charities' Domestic Violence Services is presenting several events:
Take a Walk in My Shoes: October 6 - 10 at the Art Gallery at Delgado Community College. This shoe exhibit is an artistic representation about a survivor’s journey through domestic violence. All pieces were done by a survivor of domestic violence.
Forget Me Not Candlelight Vigil: October 16 at 6 PM in the Audubon Room at Loyola University New Orleans. In honor of battered women past and present, with us and passed on, we will hold a candlelight vigil and prayer service.
For more information, please email Natalie Ambrose.
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Catholic Charities' Response to Gustav
Click to read about Catholic Charities' response to Hurricane Gustav >
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Operation Helping Hands starts gutting in Lafitte
Catholic Charities will start gutting homes in Gustav and Ike-affected Lafitte on September 19.
If you or someone you know needs a home gutted, please call the Operation Helping Hands hotline at (504) 895-5439.
If you would like to volunteer to gut homes in Lafitte, please call (504) 821-7230 or email Kristi at kord@archdiocese-no.org.
Operation Helping Hands >
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Hurricane Information for the Deaf
Please visit the Deaf Action Center page for special hurricane information for the hearing impaired.
Shari Bernius of Catholic Charities Deaf Action Center performs American Sign Language translations of preparedness and evacuation information.
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A Note on Catholic Charities Services Post-Gustav
We know that Hurricane Gustav presented extreme hardships for many people and we pledge to do what we can to help. However, because there are so few community resources available, our Community Centers and Care Line are overwhelmed with many more people than we are able to assist. AT THE PRESENT TIME WE ARE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY TYPE OF IMMEDIATE, DIRECT MONETARY ASSISTANCE.
CARE LINE: (866) 891-2210
Please leave your name and number and we will return your call as soon as possible to discuss what kind of assistance we can offer.
COMMUNITY CENTERS
Appointments must be made by telephone to see a case manager. Case Management involves making a personal recovery plan and certain commitments on the part of the client. Please call on the first of the month to set up an appointment. Please understand that because of our limited resources, the aid we are able to offer is limited. Catholic Charities appreciates your patience and we pledge to do our best during this difficult time.
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2 More Community Centers open as power is restored
In addition to Hope Haven, St. Jerome, St. John and St. Luke (see item below), Annunciation Community Center and St. Bernard Community Center are now open.
ANNUNCIATION - Bogalusa, LA
517 Avenue B
Bogalusa, LA 70427
Counseling & Case Management Services
ST. BERNARD - Chalmette, LA
1519 Judge Perez Dr., Suite #3
Chalmette, LA 70043
Counseling & Case Management Services
Please visit our Community Centers page for more information.
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Regular Operations resume Monday
All staff should report to their programs on Monday, September 8.
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Community Centers to reopen Monday
The following Community Centers will be open for business beginning Monday, September 8, 2008. Services provided will be listed under each center.
HOPE HAVEN – Marrero, LA
1101 Barataria Boulevard
Marrero, LA 70072
Food, Counseling, Case Management
ST. JEROME – Kenner, LA
2400 33rd Street
Kenner, LA 70065
Food, Counseling, Case Management
ST. JOHN – New Orleans, LA
1920 Clio Street
New Orleans, LA 70113
Food, Counseling, Case Management
ST. LUKE – Slidell, LA
901 Cross Gates Boulevard
Slidell, LA 70461
Food, Counseling, Case Management
The following Community Centers will be open as soon as power is restored and staff return:
ANNUNCIATION – Washington Parish
HOLY FAMILY–Washington/Tangipahoa Parishes
INCARNATE WORD – New Orleans, LA
GERT TOWN – New Orleans, LA
ST. GABRIEL – New Orleans, LA
ST. BERNARD – Chalmette, LA
Please visit our Community Centers page for the specific locations of these sites.
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Update on Catholic Charities Operations
Friday, September 5 - 2 PM
Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, priests, deacons and Catholic Charities staff are on hand to assist those returning to Union Passenger Terminal and other locations beginning today. An estimated 20,000 people evacuated via the City Assisted Evacuation Plan. Evacuees will begin to return to the area by bus and train, and will be dropped off at Union Passenger Terminal on Loyola Avenue, at the Alario Center and the Yenni Building. From UPT, evacuees will be directed to other buses that will take them to one of the 17 original pick up points throughout New Orleans.
Catholic Charities staff will be on hand to provide information about available services in the community and counseling when needed and appropriate.
The Archdiocese will have priests and deacons to provide pastoral care.
Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of New Orleans will have a presence at Union Passenger Terminal, the Jefferson Parish evacuee return sites, and at several of the 17 drop off sites throughout the city.
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Update on Catholic Charities Operations
Thursday, September 4 - 2 PM
We are praying for our neighbors across southern Louisiana. We are also reaching out and assisting them with manpower and food.
The staff of Second Harvest Food Bank, the Deaf Action Center, Ciara House, Padua, PACE, Food for Families, Emergency Response and a host of other programs have all done a fantastic job throughout the storm. We are in the midst of preparing for people coming home from all over the South.
We are operating programs and services (that have power) in order to serve our clients during this stressful time.
1000 Howard Avenue will be open on Friday, September 5. All programs will be open on Monday, September 8.
Note to staff: Please contact your supervisor to see if your program is open and operational. In addition, plans are underway to provide case management, counseling, and assistance to the poor and disabled returning by bus and train. We need staff and volunteers to assist on Friday and Saturday. Please contact Marin Gutierrez and Shirley Lachmann.
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Hurricane Gustav Update
Tuesday, September 2 - 8 AM
Catholic Charities sends its prayers of concern for everyone affected by Hurricane Gustav.
Catholic Charities offices are currently closed. We plan to resume operations once civil authorities deem it safe to return to the Greater New Orleans Area.
We plan to bring help the vulnerable in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, and we may ask some staff to take on temporary assignments as we minister to those in need.
We will do everything we can to get our neighbors and community back on their feet as quickly as possible.
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Hurricane Gustav Update
Friday, August 29 - 4 PM
All Catholic Charities employees are asked to check in with the Archdiocese of New Orleans Emergency Hotline once they have evacuated - 1-800-730- ARCH. Please provide your name, program, and all contact information. Please also contact your supervisors.
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Evacuation Information and Hurricane Prep Tips for the Hispanic Community
Evacuation Information for Spanish speakers
Hurricane Prep tips from the American Red Cross for Spanish speakers
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Tropical Storm Gustav Update
Friday, August 29 - 1 PM
Catholic Charities' residential facilities are evacuating to secure locations in Louisiana and Mississippi today and tomorrow.
All other programs are continuing normal business operations today.
If Tropical Storm Gustav affects our coast, we will begin a humanitarian response after the event. Please visit ccano.org and the Archdiocese of New Orleans at www.arch-no.org for updates.
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Information on Tropical Storm Gustav
The Catholic Charities Emergency Preparedness Team is meeting at 11:30 AM this morning (Friday, August 29). We will post the most up-to-date information as it becomes available.
Also, be sure to visit the Archdiocese of New Orleans website for additional emergency information: http://www.arch-no.org.
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Archbishop Hannan visits Summer Witness camp in Abita Springs
Summer Witness had a tremendously successful summer camp season. 1,634 children participated in the program at 11 sites across Southeast Louisiana.
Archbishop Hannan visited 110 children at St. Jane de Chantal Summer Witness on the last days of camp.
Learn how Archbishop Hannan began Summer Witness >
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Community Radio Show
"Construyendo Nuestra Comunidad"
July Schedule
Wednesday, July 9 at 10 AM
WFNO La Fabulosa 830 AM
Guest Patsy Mariani discusses Hope Haven Center.
Wednesday, July 16 at 9 AM
KGLA La Tropical 1540 AM
Guest Kevin Fitzpatrick talks about his participation with Operation Helping Hands.
Wednesday, July 23 at 10 AM
WFNO La Fabulosa 830 AM
Guest Anabelle Rosales describes the services of Crescent House.
Wednesday, July 30 at 9 AM
KGLA La Tropical 1540 AM
Guest Gloria Cabrera discusses Catholic Charities' Head Start Centers.
En Espanol >
Immigration & Refugee Services >
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Catholic Charities helps Iowa flood victims
Colleen D’Aquin from the Catholic Charities Emergency Management Department and Heather Hilliard from Second Harvest have been working with the CCUSA National Disaster Response Team in Iowa for about a week.
They are working extensively with Catholic Charities of Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Dubuque and many volunteers.
Debris at a business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
If you would like to donate to the flood victims, please visit Catholic Charities USA >
Read The Times-Picayune's article on Catholic Charities and Second Harvest's volunteer efforts in the wake of Iowa floods >
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Summertime fun at Summer Witness camps!
Three girls in the Summer Witness camp in Franklinton enjoy their summer.
Visit our Summer Witness page >
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