Last week was a busy week for the CSS Refugee Resettlement Program. Friday the program teamed up with 2B Choices for Women to throw a baby shower for clients that are expecting or have recently delivered a new baby. Clients were presented with gifts, treats, and a towering diaper cake.

Saturday was the program’s first community cookout and soccer game at St. Pius X Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus fried some delicious fish as the families gathered for a friendly soccer game. The Frassati Society of Mobile was on the scene with soccer balls for the kids and other raffle prizes. AFC Mobile also made an appearance to teach the families some new soccer moves.

Hebrews 10:24 tells us “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another…” It is remarkable to see these good works in action–to observe the support and encouragement for a community through something as simple as sharing a meal, celebrating a birth, or kicking a ball.

Catholic Social Services is offering a new opportunity for the youth in our community. Extended Family for Kids is a solution-based program for children ages 10 through 16 who have an incarcerated parent or family member. The purpose of the program is to give children the necessary tools needed to cope with this difficult time in their lives.

Extended Family for Kids includes lessons on anger resolution, accepting responsibility for personal actions and improving communication skills. It also includes how to build one’s self esteem, ease feelings of shame and isolation, and decrease stress. The program is geared toward the child who has a family member incarcerated in a local, state, or federal institution.

The sessions, which run for 7 consecutive weeks, are offered in several private and public schools within Mobile County. Written parental permission must be given to each participant to attend the program.

If you have questions or need additional information, please call Buffy Marston, Licensed Professional Counselor, at 251-434-1550 or email [email protected] for additional information.

Catholic Social Services hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for individuals with disabilities on Friday, 3/17/17. There was Irish food, music, and of course, dancing! Thank you Ruth Breland, Program Manager for Disability Ministry and Services for coordinating this fun event. We had a great turnout and look forward to next year!

Catholic Social Services would like to thank the men from Glandorf, OH who worked with our Home Repair program to serve a client in our community. They are truly an inspiration for us all as they live the gospel message through their work. We wish to thank them for their willingness and their “flexibility” to take on the projects including crawling underneath a house in order to get the job done. God bless all of you for your hard work!

March is National Social Work month, and we are very proud to shine the spotlight on Dreama Schofield, LICSW, Director of Adoption and Pregnancy Services at Catholic Social Services. Dreama currently oversees 2B Choices for Women in Mobile and To Be Options for Women in Robertsdale, as well as facilitating adoptions and foster care arrangements for families. If you have questions about Adoption or Foster care, Dreama would love to see what Catholic Social Services can do for you and your family. Please call 251-434-1550 for more information.

Attention Adults 60 and Over:

If you meet the requirements listed below you may be eligible for assistance up to $300 to pay your power or gas bill.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 60 years of age and meet the household income guidelines.
• You must be a resident of Alabama and not reside in government-subsidized housing (Section 8, Housing Board, HUD, etc.)

To Apply:

• You must call 251-434-1500 for an appointment with a case worker. Please mention this article when you call.
• We will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 25th, from 10:00am to 1:30pm.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION

• ID and Social Security cards for every member of the household
• Must have current lease or proof of home ownership
• Must have copy of all current month’s bill
• Proof of all income (SSI, SSD, Social Security, Food Stamps, etc.)

**Individuals not meeting the above requirements but facing unforeseen financial crisis or hardship may also call to schedule an appointment with case workers to see if they qualify for other possible assistance.

Catholic Social Services was proud to be a part of Project Homeless Connect 2017 on Friday 1/27. We distributed over 100 backpacks full of hygiene supplies, hats, gloves, socks, water, and snacks. It was great to be able to interact with potential clients as well as other social service agencies. Thank you Housing First for inviting us to be a part of this event, and we look forward to seeing you out there again next year!

This past week we were proud to work with Seminarians all the way from St. John Vianney in St. Paul, MN. While I’m sure the seminarians enjoyed the weather, we enjoyed their enthusiasm and hard work as they completed various projects for clients here in Mobile. This year, the projects ranged from yard clean-up to complex siding repairs. Joseph Bayer, Disaster Program Manager/Home Repair Coordinator for Catholic Social Services reminds us that “Even though it may just seem like painting or yard work, really what you are doing is giving these individuals hope and letting them know that there are people out there who care about them.” Thanks to all the Seminarians for their hard work and for being a sign of hope, and an example of Christ’s love in our community.

Catholic Social Services was happy to host the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal Kick-Off Dinner. Thanks to all the staff and McGill-Toolen High School student volunteers that helped make this night a remarkable success! Please take the time to view the 2017 Catholic Charities Appeal video below.