Supporting Young Parents with Young Children
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The birth of a child is a beautiful thing, but very young parents may find themselves unprepared to bring a new addition into the world. There are many risk factors associated with teen pregnancy. Poverty is one major risk, since teens are usually not working jobs that can support a family. Also educational achievement is at risk if a teen drops out of school as a result of the pregnancy and demands of parenting. Finally, a young parent may find themselves rejected by their own parents as a consequence of their pregnancy, and therefore must face this challenging time alone and possibly homeless. For all these reasons and more, it is important that young parents have access to help in having a healthy delivery and ongoing care of their baby. Catholic Charities Child, Youth, and Family Services work with young parents to help them provide for their children, and themselves. Last year alone, more than 600 teen parents benefited from our supportive classes, counseling, home visits, and more. Today Velma Brown-Walker, Director of Adolescent Parenting Programs, joins Monsignor Boland to discuss Catholic Charities services for young parents and their children. | Stream

Catholic Charities and Regional Offices
Tuesday, March 15, 2016

At Catholic Charities we have more than 150 programs at more than 160 locations across Cook and Lake counties. To help cover our very large territory, we have seven regional offices which function as local hubs where community residents can access Catholic Charities services. We invite parishes, schools and other community groups to volunteer and donate their time, talent and treasure to their local office. For example, a parish may have someone who is a member of a Regional Advisory Board and therefore, is very tied in to the regional operations. Or, a parish may run regular food or clothing drives or donate funds for a particular program, like transitional housing. Catholic Charities regional offices also network with other community resources to strengthen the social safety net in their geographic area. Joining Monsignor Boland today are Kathy Donahue, Senior Vice President of Program Development and Evaluation, and Terri Denny, Senior Director Regional and Lake County Services.
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Rice Bowl Campaign Supports Catholic Charities Food Pantries
Tuesday, March 08, 2016

Catholic Charities has 10 food pantries located across Cook and Lake counties that address need by supporting one of the most important and basic human rights, the right to eat. During fiscal year 2015, Catholic Charities food pantries served 1.8 million meals to more than 170,000 people. These individuals were able to count on Catholic Charities for hope and security during difficult times. With so many people counting on Catholic Charities, it is important to receive support and funding. Catholic Relief Services or “CRS” helps fund some of our pantries through its annual Rice Bowl campaign. Today Bethany Collins, Program Coordinator from the Office of Peace and Justice; Sharon Tillmon, Director of Emergency Assistance, and Sr. Joellen Tumas, Director of Casa Catalina Emergency Assistance Center join Monsignor Boland to discuss the Rice Bowl Campaign. | Stream