From Judy K. Orr, Executive Director
Needlink moving to Catholic Charities at C.E. McGruder
Partnerships are critical to the success of social service agencies like Catholic Charities.
We are delighted that Needlink will move to the Catholic Charities Family Resource Center at C.E. McGruder in November.
Needlink helps people meet basic needs in times of crisis, especially those facing eviction or the shut-off of their utilities. Many of the organization’s clients live in the 37208 zip code where C.E. McGruder is located.
Needlink’s move increases the number of case managers who work out of C.E. McGruder and are available to meet in person with clients.
Catholic Charities will provide Needlink clients access to additional services and expertise – emotional support and job training, for example – that help prevent future crises and a cycle of dependence on emergency assistance programs.
We look forward to welcoming and working closely with the Needlink team. A highly respected long-time Nashville nonprofit, Needlink has a 100-year-plus history in Nashville. It got its start as Big Brothers and raised funds through its annual Christmas Eve paper sale.
Aid Available for Ukrainians Fleeing War
Catholic Charities has funding available to assist Ukrainians who have fled war in their homeland.
We can help individuals and families with housing, utilities, healthcare, employment assistance, education for school-aged children, and a host of other services. This funding is available immediately but will expire on Oct. 31.
Individuals and families can call our offices at (615) 352-3087 to get help applying for aid.
Many of the Ukrainians who have entered the country since the war started in their homeland are designated as “humanitarian parolees.” This means they are allowed by the federal government to be in the United States for up to two years based on an urgent humanitarian need. This designation allows them to receive aid from organizations like Catholic Charities.
Sept. 22 Mass to Celebrate Our 60th Anniversary
The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, J.C.L., Bishop of Nashville, will celebrate Catholic Charities’ 60th anniversary at a special Mass on Sept. 22 at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend this special celebration in Sagrado Corazon de Jesus Church at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Nashville.
The celebration will include a tribute to our first program, the temporary resettlement of Cuban children during the political turmoil in 1962, and sacred music in Spanish. A reception with refreshments will follow Mass.
If you are interested in attending, please R.S.V.P. to Betsy Everett at beverett@cctenn.org.
Please take a minute to watch Magdaly’s story. She is one of our “alumni”—past clients featured during El Festival de Esperanza, which kicked off our 60th anniversary celebration in April. We are grateful to so many like Magdaly who wanted to pay it forward by sharing her story of success. The 60th anniversary celebration will continue with special events throughout the year.
Good News In Brief
- Catholic Charities has received a grant to add five new positions through a partnership with the Martha O’Bryan Center. The partnership focuses on counseling that builds healthy families. We will share more about this partnership soon.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating 26 pallets of canned food, including fruits, vegetables, pasta, and sauces, to our hunger relief programs. We are grateful for this generous and much-needed donation.
- Giving Machines Nashville has selected Catholic Charities as a 2022 beneficiary. During the holiday season, a vending machine located at Cool Springs Galleria will accept donations for Catholic Charities and other local non-profits. The non-profits will receive 100 percent of the donations.
- Gresham Smith will provide pro bono support to create a master plan to rehab our playground at the Catholic Pastoral Center. The playground is used mainly by refugee schoolchildren in our after-school and summer programs. The playground site has not been updated since it was built nearly 40 years ago. Watch for more information about how you can support this project.