Author: batkinson

Federal Cuts Force Organizational Restructuring at Catholic Charities

Posted on by Jenny Barker

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Judy Orr, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, in coordination with the Catholic Charities board of trustees, made the following announcement about a restructuring of the organization. 

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville is undergoing a major restructuring, necessitated by recent federal funding cuts that have effectively dismantled the U.S. refugee resettlement program. As a result, we will close our New Americans program and lay off 51 staff members between now and mid-September. Additional layoffs in the agency are expected in the coming weeks due to the concurrent loss of ancillary overhead funding tied to these federal programs.

Catholic Charities will continue to operate the Tennessee Office for Refugees, which administers the state-wide refugee resettlement program under a federal contract, as a separate unit.

Agency leadership and staff were notified of the restructuring during individual and group meetings this week.

In recent months, federal actions have severely weakened the national resettlement infrastructure. When our national partner, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), ended its participation in the program, it became clear that we could no longer sustain this work locally, even if refugee admissions were to resume at previous levels.

Compounding these challenges is the high cost of living in the Nashville area, particularly the lack of affordable housing. For years, federal stipends to support refugee housing and basic needs have remained unchanged, even as local expenses have continued to rapidly rise.

We remain committed to serving Middle Tennesseans in crisis through our expanding network of Family Resource Centers and satellite offices. Last year alone, we served 26,000 people facing poverty, housing instability, and other urgent needs, and the demand is ever-increasing.

Though our work will look different moving forward, our commitment to the most vulnerable remains as strong and steady as ever. 

Judy K. Orr
Executive Director
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville

Support Our Mission

If you feel called to support our ongoing work with Middle Tennesseans in crisis, please consider donating or volunteering.

Kaleidoscope Event Returns June 14 to Celebrate Nashville’s Diversity

Posted on by Jenny Barker

Family-friendly celebration joins national effort to unite communities across differences

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 14, 2025)—Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, invites the public to its second annual Kaleidoscope celebration on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 2800 McGavock Pike. The free, family-friendly outdoor event serves as a powerful symbol of unity, bringing together Middle Tennessee’s vibrant cultural and ethnic Catholic communities, along with a growing network of interfaith and service organizations.

Kaleidoscope is part of the Team Up Project, a groundbreaking national bridge-building initiative launched in 2022 by Catholic Charities USA, Interfaith America, Habitat for Humanity International, and YMCA of the USA.

The effort aims to build a stronger sense of belonging and connectedness in local communities by promoting empathy and understanding across cultural, ethnic, religious and ideological divides.

“Our differences should never divide us — they should enrich us,” said Judy Orr, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville. “Kaleidoscope is more than a festival. It’s a grassroots response to the polarization we’re all experiencing. It’s about neighbors, families, and communities coming together around shared values — compassion, care for one another, and joy.”

Kaleidoscope features cultural booths, live performances, artisan vendors, and ethnic food offerings from Nashville’s diverse communities. Last year’s inaugural event saw vibrant music and dance from across the globe, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, and activities that engaged children and adults alike. Organizers expect even greater participation in 2025.

In a time of heightened political division and growing fear among immigrant and foreign-born populations, Kaleidoscope provides a space to celebrate heritage and create lasting bonds across cultures and faith traditions.

“Kaleidoscope celebrates what we all have in common instead of what makes us different,” Orr added. “Having fun with our families on a beautiful Saturday is something we all share — no matter where we come from.”

Faith, cultural, and community organizations are invited to participate by hosting booths highlighting their heritage, sharing food or handmade goods, and offering opportunities to connect. Groups interested in participating can register at www.cctenn.org/kaleidoscope.

About Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville

Founded in 1962, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville, provides a wide range of programs focused on emergency assistance, emotional support, and employment services that help people build a pathway to self-sufficiency and dignity. Services are provided to individuals and families in need, regardless of background, faith, or circumstance. The organization serves more than 26,000 neighbors annually in Middle Tennessee. For more information, please visit www.cctenn.org.

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Refugee Resettlement Program Suspended: Urgent Support Needed

Posted on by Jenny Barker

The recent executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has immediate consequences for the families Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville serves. Without your support, recently-arrived individuals will suffer due to this unprecedented freeze on aid.

Every person resettled through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program undergoes thorough vetting and receives approval from the Department of Homeland Security, which then arranges and authorizes their travel to the U.S.

Recent Developments

  • The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been suspended
  • This pause affects our ability to assist refugees who have recently arrived in Tennessee
  • 125 New Americans who arrived in late 2024 still need our immediate support as they resettle here

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Nashville: 

  • Serves only legally authorized refugees and migrants
  • Resettled 410 individuals in the Nashville area in the last federal fiscal year
  • Partners with agencies to support refugees, asylees, and Special Immigrant Visa holders—many of whom aided the U.S. military
  • Provides services first, then submits documentation for reimbursement
  • Will not receive reimbursement due to the suspension, preventing continued service to newly arrived refugees

How You Can Help

USCCB’s Position

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has stated: 

“Faithful to the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church has a long history of serving refugees. In 1980, the bishops of the United States began partnering with the federal government to carry out this service when Congress created the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Every person resettled through USRAP is vetted and approved for the program by the federal government while outside of the United States. In our agreements with the government, the USCCB receives funds to do this work; however, these funds are not sufficient to cover the entire cost of these programs. Nonetheless, this remains a work of mercy and ministry of the Church.”

Why Support Refugee Resettlement?

Refugees admitted to the U.S. through the Resettlement Program:

  • Are thoroughly vetted and legally authorized to be in the country
  • Quickly work towards self-reliance
  • Contribute positively to the local economy

Your support ensures that those fleeing religious persecution and life-threatening conditions can find safety and build new lives in our community. Help us continue this vital work during this challenging time.

Please donate, volunteer, or advocate today. 

A new year, a bold vision for transforming lives

Posted on by Jenny Barker

From Judy K. Orr, Executive Director:

As our new fiscal year began last month, we simultaneously embraced a bold, new vision for our work:

“By 2029, Catholic Charities will be the leader in Middle Tennessee in assisting people in need to achieve persistent self-reliance.”

This vision is at the heart of our new five-year strategic plan, which reflects our deep commitment to addressing immediate needs while honoring every individual’s dignity. More than just a roadmap, this plan is an invitation to partner with us in creating lasting change.

With our strategic plan, we are committed not just to meeting material needs but to upholding the dignity of each person, recognizing that they are made in the image of God. Inspired by the teachings of Christ, we strive to be His hands and feet in the world, ensuring that our service is both a reflection of His love and a response to His call to care for ‘the least of these.

We are calling on all who share our mission of bringing love, hope, and healing to join us. Guided by a vision crafted by our committee and approved by the board of trustees, this plan will steer our efforts through 2029.

Together, we can build on our 60-year legacy, enhancing program impact, nurturing our staff, engaging the community, and raising awareness of our crucial work.

But we can’t do it alone. Your passion, support, and partnership are vital to empowering individuals and strengthening our community.

View our strategic plan

Addressing hidden homelessness

As part of our emergency services program, we assist many of our neighbors who are struggling with housing costs. “Hidden homelessness” is more common than you might think, and we are grateful to WPLN’s This is Nashville for raising awareness of this issue through its “In My Place” series.

In this recent episode, Catholic Charities’ Director of Basic Needs Kate Pooler shared insights on the often-overlooked realities of families who “double up” with other family members, live in their cars, or otherwise are in unsustainable situations on the verge of evictions.

Please give the interview with Kate a listen to learn more about our expertise in caring for our neighbors’ housing crises.

Listen to the episode

Culinary training for youth aging out of foster care

Our work in Culinary Training Academy (CTA) was amplified recently through a partnership with The Nashville Food Project and Slim & Husky’s. Our most recent cohort of graduates were youth who had recently aged out of foster care.

Of the 15 participants completing the program, 14 secured jobs and two have advanced to sous chef positions. This successful collaboration demonstrates a strong model for empowering vulnerable youth to begin a career in the hospitality industry. CTA is housed at Catholic Charities’ Family Resource Center at C.E. McGruder.

Giving back: from refugee to social worker

In our Love, Hope, Healing service model, we love to say that the best healing is when you want to give back to those who helped you.

Irakoze Bellamie is the epitome! She is completing her master’s degree in social work at the University of Kentucky. She was inspired to do her internship with Catholic Charities because her family was helped by CC when they first arrived in the U.S. in 2007, as authorized refugees from the African country Burundi. Her grandmother continues as a member of our New Americans elders program. Bella, as she is known, was 7 when she emigrated with her family.

Bella recalls the case manager (Diomede Richard, still working for CC!) who helped her family get settled in Nashville, teaching them English and how to navigate housing, schools, transportation, shopping, etc.

She says, “I want to impact people in a positive way just like social workers impacted me and my family.” Bella completed an internship in the spring at the CC Family Resource Center at Casa Azafran and is interning this semester at the CC FRC at C.E. McGruder.

Make an impact every month

Your recurring gift can help vulnerable neighbors become self-sufficient in the face of economic instability and life’s unexpected moments. By establishing a monthly gift, you increase its impact and spread your tax-deductible donation throughout the year.

Donate

P.S. Have you seen the Catholic Charities USA “We Are There” national awareness campaign? We’re excited to be featured.

 

OUR MISSION

Following Christ’s example, we recognize the dignity of all people and serve our neighbors.

Supporting families with young children

Posted on by Jenny Barker