Catholic Charities is a non-prof

Catholic Charities is a non-profit social service agency.

Creating hope for members of all religions.

Catholic Charities Receives an Award for its 2009 Implementation Plan

Diocesan Director of Social Services

Frank Vonch (815) 399-4300

Tuesday July 20, 2010

St. Elizabeth Community Center receives a credit of $2699.24 on its behalf to the Northern Illinois Food Bank from Fifth Third Bank.

This donation is in recognition of the community efforts that the center provides.

The staff at St. Elizabeth Community Center would like to thank Fifth Third Bank for their generous contribution.

Karen Carlson

Director St. Elizabeth Community Center

_____________________________________________________

Catholic Charities

Golf Outing & Dinner

Tournaments

10th Annual Catholic Charities

Whiteside & Lee County

Golf Outing

Saturday June 5, 2010

(Click for Details)

23rd Annual Catholic Charities

Children's Challenge

Golf Outing & Dinner

Wednesday June 23, 2010

(Click for Details)

___________________________________________________

A Note From Catholic Charities and Frank Vonch

Catholic Charities is very grateful for Caritas and its members. It is due to the gracious time and efforts of the Caritas members that our foster children are able to have what may seem to be a practical necessity; however, in the foster care system these are uncovered costs that without the funds raised by Caritas, these children would most likkely have to go without. The following are a few examples of how the Caritas monies raised for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford Foster Care Program helped our foster children: School Supplies, Summer Camps, Tutoring and Mentoring Activities, YMCA Passes, Eyeglasses, Replacement Beds, Cribs, Dressers, Gas Cards and Bus Passes, Medications not covered by the medical card.

Our Caritas members exemplify the name that they carry of Caritas, which means "love and compassion". Love which is the greatest of the theological virtues which are "character qualities associated with salvation" and the word compassion meaning to "suffer with". Are a complete example of what it is to love, for love equals sacrifice and what it means to bear the name Christian.

On behalf of Catholic Charities and those we serve, we pray that our heavenly Father will abundantly bless and reward you for all that you continuously do for the foster children.

_____________________________________________________

You Can Join
Catholics at the Capitol

Bishop Thomas G. Doran along with all the Illinois bishops and Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. will join with the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI), to host the second Catholics at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 3rd in Springfield.

This event is a unique opportunity to come to Springfield to meet with elected officials and enhance the inclusion of our gospel values in the public square. All parishes are urged to send representatives to this event. The legislative initiatives that will be the focus of Catholics at the Capitol include:

Advocating for funding for programs that help Catholic schools purchase textbooks and meet other mandates.
Maintaining funding for and supporting English and adult education for immigrants to provide effective opportunities for English proficiency, job readiness, and advanced learning.
Opposing continued efforts to prevent implementation of the parental notification statute and supporting legislation to require that a woman seeking an abortion be provided the opportunity to view a sonogram of her unborn child.
Protecting traditional marriage and opposing legislation for same-sex marriage or similarly defined civil unions.
Maintaining the social services safety net by opposing any funding reductions to human services.
Supporting efforts for the abolition of the death penalty in Illinois.

The Diocesan Respect Life Office will sponsor a bus ride to and from Springfield for Parish Respect Life Coordinators for $30. Anyone else interested in the bus trip can call Laura Christenson at 815/399-4300 ext. 381 For further information on Catholics at the Capitol go to www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org.

____________________________________________________

Baby Bottle Fundraiser

Catholic Charities wants to thank Fr. Burt Absalon, Fr. John Lovell, the parishioners of St. Bridget, the school children of St. Bridget School and the CCD class of St. Bridget, Loves Park for the baby bottle fundraiser they did for Catholic Charities Crisis Pregnancy and Adoption programs and raising an unbelievable amount of $10,419.88 !

This donation will make a difference in the lives of women who are faced with a crisis pregnancy choose life for their unborn child. We also want to send a special thank you to Steve Donovan, Parish Respect Coordinator for the Parish who organized and promoted the event and did a sensational job !!

Pictured Left to Right:

Steven Donovan, PRLC, St. Bridget

Geoff Franklin, Associate Director, Catholic Charities

Fr. Burt Absalon, Pastor, St. Bridgets

Michele Crosswhite, Administrative Assistant, Catholic Charities

Fr. John Lovell, Parochial Vicar and Associate Director of Vocations, St. Bridget/Diocese of Rockford

Hugh O'Connor, Parishioner, St. Bridget

Fran Reichensperger, Business Manager, St. Bridget

St. Bridget School Children raised $1600 towards the nourish life baby bottle fundraiser held at St. Bridget Church.

_____________________________________________________

PARENTING CLASSES AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES

The parenting program offered by Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford is designed to assist parents with exploring and enhancing their parenting skills. Catholic Charities offers 16 to 20 parenting classes annually. Classes are available mornings, afternoon and evenings. Each series is 10 to12-weeks and meets one-time weekly for two and a half hours each session.

There is a cost for this class. We offer a sliding scale fee and there may be grants or funds available. Please inquire to see if you qualify. Upon completion, participants will earn a certificate for their attendance. This class is for parents, foster parents, grandparents, guardians, childcare providers, community agencies, and those who may be involved with DCFS, Court, Probation are welcomed.

Would you like to enhance your skills in the following areas?

Managing difficult behaviors, learning constructive discipline and teaching self-control?
Helping to increase your child’s self-esteem?
Achieve knowledge of age-appropriate guidance and effective communication techniques?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we’ve got good news.

Help is available!!! Classes are offered in Rockford, Belvidere and Freeport Illinois. Please see the attached schedule for specific dates, time and locations of classes that are available to register.

CLICK FOR CLASS SCHEDULES

_____________________________________________________

Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fun Fair

Catholic Charities had the privilege of participating in the Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fun Fair this year. The Northern Illinois Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Wellness Fair is a non-for-profit organization. Their goal is to bring awareness of health concerns impacting our community and youth and to discourage youth from getting involved with drugs and to encourage community involvement and volunteerism. The annual Fun Fair is an opportunity for community agencies and businesses to participate in an effort to educate families and youth through displaying exhibits of the services, crafts, games, entertainment and sampling a variety of different foods offered by participating vendors.

The Program Coordinator for this event was Paul Perrone, the host site for this event was Boylan High School on October 17, 2009. Over 500 youth and their families participated in the games, activities and food. This was a great opportunity for community agencies to network and make the families aware of the services available in and around the Rockford area. Inquiries regarding Catholic Charities services were for the Ombudsman and Counseling services. Catholic Charities received a certificate of recognition for our participation in this years event.

Volunteer Training

Volunteer Ombudsman

Catholic Charities Seeks Volunteers

To Advocate For Nursing Home Residents

Thursday, July 21, 2010

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Catholic Charities Sterling Office

Sterling, IL

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Freeport

(Click for More Information)

(Volunteer Application)

_________________________________

Happy Holidays !!!

Everybody Had A Great Time At The

Catholic Charities Foster Care

Christmas Party

At Carlson Ice Arena on

Saturday December 12 2009

Hammy the Hog & Santa

Pizza Time

Catholic Charities Staff

A Special Thank You to everybody who helped make this event possible

_____________________________________________________

Caritas 2010 - Hands of Love

Mark your calendars for Caritas 2010 on Wednesday April 21 at Giovanni's Restaurant.

Come and bring your friends for a delectable lunch and up to date fashion show. If you are interested in donating an item for the silent auction or the raffle or want to purchase a ticket for $35 please contact:

Stephanie Deery at 815-962-3203 or

Debra Tarara at 815-623-6756

See you there...

____________________________________________________

Baby Bottle Fundraisers for Catholic Charities

Crisis Pregnancy and Adoption Programs

A Big Thank You To:

SS. Peter and Paul in Cary, IL

St. Bridget in Loves Park, IL
for hosting a baby bottle fundraiser

for Catholic Charities !!