Catholic Charities Creating Hope, Transforming Lives
Catholic Charities NEWSLETTER of Onondaga County
Creating Hope, Transforming Lives
Dear Friends, Poverty wears many different faces. Sometimes it is easily recognizable – it’s a man sitting on the street with a cardboard sign or a youngster walking to school in February without a coat. These are dire issues, and we have programs that address both situations. But, as you know, poverty is much more complex than a lack of winter clothing. Poverty is systemic. It hinders an individual’s success in a number of ways. A child born into poverty, for example, faces the simultaneous challenges of hunger, inadequate housing, lack of health care and other social issues that have the potential to impact the rest of their lives. A recent refugee struggling to make ends meet for a family must learn English while searching for a job and navigating the complicated process of achieving American citizenship. All of our clients come to us with complex back stories. There are multiple reasons they are in need and rarely is there an easy fix. We have been working with the many faces of poverty in Syracuse since 1923. We have experienced success through addressing poverty on many levels. Our Supportive Housing Services
In This Issue
WINTER 2017
work with families and individuals to keep them housed in stable conditions, providing a platform from which to build a more successful life. Our youth programs, including our Pre-K classes, lay educational and social foundations to support children who are born into poverty. Our newest programs, our social ventures, reduce poverty by increasing an individual’s ability to obtain and maintain employment. We work on many fronts to reduce poverty in our community. Every day at Catholic Charities we resolve crisis situations, help stabilize families and individuals and then build their capacity to live successful, independent lives. Our success is made possible by the involvement of our supporters. Please consider contributing and joining us in our efforts to reduce poverty in our community. You have our gratitude and appreciation.
In light of the recent Executive Orders that limit refugee resettlement activity in the U.S., we at Catholic Charities reaffirm our commitment to all refugees and immigrants who are fleeing persecution in order to start a new life.
With warm thanks,
To read up on our latest response and actions you can take, please visit www.ccocmike. wordpress.org.
Michael F. Melara Executive Director
• Chief Development Officer – p 2 • Pre-K Program Expansion – p 3 • Permanent Supportive Housing – p 4
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF ONONDAGA COUNTY |
• Employee Recognition – p 4 • Volunteer Highlight – p 5 • House of Providence Dinner Honorees – p 6
1654 WEST ONONDAGA STREET
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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13204