Chronicle SUMMER 2021
C O M M O N W E A LT H C AT H O L I C C H A R I T I E S
CCC Launches New Program
CCC has launched a new program known as Seton Housing to provide safe, stable housing, life-affirming pregnancy counseling, and case management services to at-risk expectant women. The program will be offered throughout the Diocese of Richmond and is made possible through a grant from the Diocese's Offices of Social Ministry and Respect Life as well as generous donations from anonymous individual donors and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond. “We are investing in the lives of mothers and their children,” said CCC CEO, Jay Brown. “Seton Housing is designed to provide the support that women need to make life affirming decisions and to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. It is about having a long-term impact that transforms families’ situations from crisis and fear to stability and confidence.” The program is based on a nationally recognized housing model. Housing units will be subleased to women enrolled in the program at a heavily subsidized rate or at no cost. Program participants will receive additional support including employment training and placement, mental health counseling, financial counseling, and access to food and nutrition assistance and baby supplies. CCC’s case managers are available to connect participants to additional resources like health care and public benefits. In May, representatives from the Diocese of Richmond's Offices of Social Ministry & Respect Life presented CCC with a grant to support the new Seton Housing program.
www.cccofva.org • CCC provides quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.
A Fresh Start for Refugees
The world commemorated the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day on June 20. The day holds special meaning for Commonwealth Catholic Charities. “Not only are we long-time participants in the Refugee Resettlement Program but we are also one of the oldest foster care providers for Unaccompanied Refugee Minors in the country,” said CCC CEO Jay Brown. The federal government refers refugee families traveling from unspeakable living conditions abroad to CCC services. When refugee families arrive in the United States, CCC helps them find and set-up a home, learn English, enroll their children in school, prepare for employment, obtain a driver’s license, and set them on a path towards self-sufficiency. These individuals have left their homes, their possessions, their livelihoods, and are starting over from the very beginning. “We see this most vividly with the children for whom we provide temporary accommodation—they literally arrive in our care with nothing—not even language to tell their story,” said Brown. “That's the story of the refugee. You arrive and there is nothing. You rebuild everything—career, education, even the basics, like driving and getting to the stores.”
A Sunnier Future Victor is one such young person. Victor came to CCC when he was 17-years-old. His younger brother was with him and they were placed in a foster home together. The brothers left their homes to escape extreme poverty and abuse. “Since 1982, CCC has served nearly 1,000 Unaccompanied Refugee Minors. Youth from all over the globe have entered our care,” said Jennifer Ward, foster care program manager. “Providing youth with a safe home, permanency, educational services, counseling, immigration assistance, independent living skills, and case management is what we do on paper. Providing youth with a connection, a place to always come back to when they need assistance, and helping them reach their greatest potential, is what we do in practice.” With the support from CCC and his foster family, Victor is thriving. In 2018 he won third place at the state high school cullinary competion and received a scholarship to pursue his career as a chef. 2 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Celebrating World Refugee Day
The Roanoke Refugee Resettlement team found a variety of ways to commemorate World Refugee Day this year. "This was a special weekend for us to celebrate the wonderful individuals whom we have the opportunity to assist," said Laura Murphy, refugee and immigration services director.
Celebrating
Through a Welcoming America grant, CCC partnered with Roanoke City, Roanoke City Public Libraries, Local Colors, and Blue Ridge Literacy to host an event recognizing newly naturalized families. World Refugee Day and 23 graduating refugee high school seniors were also celebrated at this event. The Beta Chi Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in Roanoke donated gift bags to the graduating seniors.
Painting
For World Refugee Day, CCC refugee clients also began painting a mural that will be permanently displayed in the Sister City Walkway this fall. “The goal is to have a collective piece of artwork that incorporates the different cultures that make up our rich community,” said resettlement case worker, Ashley Proffitt, who designed the mural.
Shopping
Thank you to the following stores and restaurants in Roanoke for helping us raise awareness and much-needed funds for our refugee and immigration services on June 18 and 19 in celebration of World Refugee Day: Too Many Books, Little Green Hive, Grace's Pizza, Bloom Restaurant, Farmburguesa, New to Me Consignment, and Grandin Theatre.
Newport News Team Prepares Immigrants to Become Citizens
The Resettlement and Immigration team in Newport News has recently provided citizenship classes to 20 individuals who are preparing to become permanent U.S. citizens. “It is so exciting to be a part of this process,” said CCC’s Resettlement Director of Operations, Kristen Larcher. “Immigrants come to the United States in search of a better life and assisting with that goal and watching them achieve it is incredibly rewarding.” The citizenship classes cover a variety of topics including American civics and government, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Chronicle • Summer 2021 | 3
INGREDIENTS: 1lb boneless chicken thighs 1 cabbage 1 sweet potato 1 yucca 1 plantain 1 red onion 3 tablespoons of peanuts 4 small tomatoes CABBAGE: Thinly slice 1 cabbage and cook in pot with salted water until soft. • • •
In a pan, add oil and add cooked cabbage and one sliced red onion. Mix until cooked through and cover. Add 2 grated tomatoes and 3 spoonfuls of ground peanuts. SWEET POTATO, YUCCA, AND PLANTAINS: Add 1 sweet potato and 1 yucca (both peeled and cut in chunks), and 1 sliced plantain into a pot and boil with salted water. Cook for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Drain water and add 2 grated tomatoes to mixture.
A Meal Made Together
Sela’s family fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1996 to escape war and violence. She was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania and spent her first 18 years in that camp. Sela and her family were accepted into the United States as refugees in 2019. Sela is attending school in Roanoke and is in the 10th grade. She also participates in the Mentoring Youth in Virginia (MYVA) Program. She and her mentor, Elissa, meet weekly and enjoy exploring Roanoke together and volunteering at local community events. Since both of Sela’s parents work, she cooks for her family of 10 and helps care for her siblings after school each day. She loves cooking and she and Elissa recently cooked several dishes together and practiced the English words for the dishes, spices, and cooking terms they used.
• • •
Fry red onion in oil and add to the mixture. CHICKEN: Cook chicken thighs in a pot with salt and oil. Once cooked through, fry the chicken in oil. • • •
Serve the cooked chicken with cabbage, potato, yucca, and plantains.
Try out Sela’s recipe for yourself and share your results! Just take that beautiful food picture (you know you’ll do it anyway!) and tag @cccofva or use hashtag #refugeerecipes. 4 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Elissa and Sela enjoying some time together after baking cupcakes—a family first!
Staying on Track
Marie has been through a lot in her 16 years. In the time since she was placed with CCC’s Foster Care program in Norton, she has had to come to terms with some very big changes in her life. “She struggled with the fact that she will not be returning to her birth mother ever,” said her case worker, Brittany Rutherford. “That is a lot for anyone to process.” The transition into foster care was difficult for Marie but Brittany had an idea that could help. “Marie enjoys being outside and going for walks and jogs, so I suggested that she run track at school. She signed up the very next day!” Participating in track has given Marie new confidence and helped her to process some of her emotional trauma. “I have gone to three of her track meets and am so very proud of her,” said Brittany. “Marie has told me that I have been a constant in her life and that I better stick around for all of the big moments she has coming up. I definitely plan to be there, cheering her on!”
On the Move
CCC’s supportive housing program for people living with HIV and AIDS has moved into the Housing Resource Center at 809 Oliver Hill Way in Richmond. The program provides community members living with HIV or AIDS with various supportive housing services like rent and utility assistance, case management, access to nutritional supplements, and resource identification. “We are excited to be working more closely with our Housing Resource Center staff and will continue to be available for any referrals or resources needed,” said Erin Cave, supportive housing program manager in Richmond. CCC also provides these services in Southwest Virginia and Petersburg.
Tips for a Self-care Summer from counselor Denise Hill King
Meditation: Great for working on breathing and regaining focus Soak up the sun: Take a walk or sit in the backyard for at least 30 minutes Guided Imagery: Great for muscle relaxation 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: Great for anxiety and self-control 5: Acknowledge FIVE things you see around 4: Acknowledge FOUR things you can touch 3: Acknowledge THREE things you hear 2: Acknowledge TWO things you can smell 1: Acknowledge ONE thing you can taste Music Therapy: Listen to or sing your favorite song for a quick mood boost Family game nights: Helps to enhance family bonding Vision boards: Great for setting goals and unleashing creativity
Chronicle • Summer 2021 | 5
CCUSA Volunteer of the Year Award Nominee
Arthur Heifetz is known to his students at CCC as Mr. Art. For nearly a decade, Art has volunteered with CCC, teaching English and mentoring clients in the Refugee Resettlement program. In his English classes, Art also sneaks in other useful lessons such as culture and community, employment, finances, health, and safety. “It is incredible to think of the number of individuals and families Art has impacted over the years,” said CCC CEO, Jay Brown. “We are blessed that Art has chosen to share his love and passion with our agency and with those whom we serve.” In addition to teaching, Art helps students acclimate to life in the United States through picnics and excursions to the mountains, local museums, and festivals. He also organizes social gatherings with local community and refugee groups. “Mr. Art is a kind person who taught me and my children,” said Akghar, a refugee from Afghanistan. “Mr. Art can speak some Farsi and he used quotes to make us feel welcome. I learned a lot from my teacher.” Throughout the pandemic, Art remained as dedicated as ever and quickly adjusted, teaching himself new technology and social media so he could continue working with his students. He also spent time helping his students stay safe during the pandemic by teaching them about the virus, its transmission, and government health guidelines.
We want to hear from you!
Help us continue to improve by sharing your input in our short online survey! Visit www.cccofva.org/donorsurvey or scan the QR code to the left. 6 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
A Family's First Home
CCC Housing and Financial Counselors provide HUD-certified housing and financial education both virtually and in person from our Newport News, Norton, Petersburg, Richmond, and Roanoke.
we’ve helped them pay rent or a utility bill is also tremendously rewarding, especially during the pandemic. Being able to offer clients some relief and peace of mind keeps me going every day.”
Classes include improving credit and credit scores, budgeting, developing a savings plan, calculating the true cost of homeownership, and what to expect during and after the loan and homebuying process.
Individuals are referred to CCC’s program from a variety of avenues.
“Half of my clients are working toward a goal— like trying to buy a home—that is out of reach for some reason or learning how to manage money and credit. Helping them reach their goals is extremely rewarding,” said Desiri Walker, CCC Financial Counseling Case Worker. “The other half are those facing a financial hardship and turn to us for financial assistance. Seeing the look of relief in a client’s eyes or hearing it in their voice when
“We have strong partnerships with banks, credit unions, real estate agents, churches, and other social services agencies,” said Walker. One such partner is the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) in Richmond. Since the fall of 2020, CCC has partnered with MWCLT to help make homeownership a reality for those who face homebuying barriers. “Through the program, CCC’s housing counselor provide one-on-one prepurchase education to clients who are in a lease-to-own arrangement known as the Homeownership Bridge,” said Denise Crews, Director of Income & Asset Building Services for CCC. Michael Haggins, a single dad of two sons, was the first person to sign-up for the program and was connected with Walker. “She has been a great resource and a blessing. She enjoys what she does and she’s good at it. That makes all the difference,” said Haggins who will celebrate his one-year anniversary in his home in September. “I haven’t had a single moment of doubt or regret,” said Haggins. “[My sons] know this is our house, our neighborhood, you can walk in the backyard, you can play and have fun, riding scooters on the sidewalk. That has been the greatest joy for me, watching them get acclimated to the fact that this is our space.” Chronicle • Summer 2021 | 7
918 Harris Street Charlottesville, VA 22903 434.974.6880
1601 Rolling Hills Drive Richmond, VA 23229 804.285.5900
740 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite F Newport News, VA 23606 757.247.3600
809 Oliver Hill Way Richmond, VA 23219 804.648.4177
7813 Halprin Drive Norfolk, VA 23518 757.256.6272 507 Park Avenue SW Norton, VA 24273 276.679.1195 111 Perry Street Petersburg, VA 23803 804.733.6207
820 Campbell Avenue, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 540.342.7561 St. Francis House Food Pantry 836 Campbell Avenue, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 540.268.0098 541 Luck Avenue, SW Suite 118 Roanoke, VA 24016 540.342.0411
www.cccofva.org
Lemonade turn your lemon into
If your car isn't everything you hoped it would be, donate it to CCC! Contact Kathleen McCormac at kathleen.mccormac@cccofva.org to learn more.