Catholic Charities Connect - August 2023 Edition

August 2023

As children and families prepare to return to school this month, Catholic Charities continues to focus on keeping the family whole while providing services that make families stronger and more resilient, including early education services through Westside Head Start and youth development services through North Star Youth Partnership. We wish our students and families a successful and healthy school year!

Maximus Foundation Gives Children a ‘Head Start’

The Maximus Foundation’s goal is to support organizations that share their commitment to helping disadvantaged populations and underserved communities. In all, Maximus Foundation has awarded Catholic Charities $30,000 over the past three years. This year, the Foundation granted us $12,000 to provide additional social and emotional support to children enrolled in our Westside Head Start early childhood education program.

We are grateful to Gretchen Caraway, Catholic Charities Board Member and Maximus Director, pictured above center with Paul Mulligan, Catholic Charities President & CEO and Mary Permoda, Catholic Charities Board Chair. Thank you, Gretchen and Maximus employees, for making a difference in the lives of youth in our community!

Back to School with BHHS Legacy Foundation

Every year, thousands of children arrive at Arizona schools lacking basic essentials. BHHS Legacy Foundation is working to change that through its Legacy Connection’s Backpack Buddies program. In collaboration with corporate and community sponsors, Backpack Buddies recently donated over 500 backpacks for children and youth in Catholic Charities’ programs.

The backpacks, filled with back-to-school supplies, and health and hygiene staples, will be distributed to youth and families in our Westside Head Start, North Star Youth Partnership, foster care, and Emergency Santa programs, as well as throughout our family shelters and affordable housing communities. Thank you, BHHS Legacy Foundation, for your ongoing partnership and generosity in our mission work!

Funding from Piper Charitable Trust
Helps Sustain Life-Changing Programs

We are honored to receive a $100,000 grant from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust. The grant will be allocated toward a variety of homeless prevention solutions, including case management, temporary rental assistance, transportation and utility assistance, hotel vouchers and more.

“With the housing crisis in the Valley affecting an unprecedented number of individuals, it is critical for Catholic Charities to continue to provide much-needed services and resources for those at risk of homelessness, which unfortunately continues to increase disproportionately to affordable housing,” said Paul Mulligan, Catholic Charities President & CEO.

“Catholic Charities wouldn’t be able to do our important work without the support of generous organizations like Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.” Thank you, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, for your compassion and dedication to our community!

Eva’s Story: From Broken to Thriving

Eva felt lost and broken when she moved back to Arizona with her three young children in 2014. She was a single mom with limited job skills who struggled to support her family. Eva heard about Catholic Charities’ Westside Head Start program and soon she and her daughter began receiving services. Eva worked with a home visitor weekly who helped her with parenting skills, connecting to resources and creating a life plan.

Eva’s goal was to one day go back to college and finish her degree. In May 2022, Eva graduated with honors from Northern Arizona University (NAU). She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in special education and her daughter is in fourth grade with a 4.0 grade point average. Read more about Eva’s journey to thriving

Letter to the Editor: A place of refuge

Catholic Charities recently received high accolades in the Mohave Daily News from an individual whose life was changed by our BHHS Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help and Hope in Bullhead City.

Please take a few minutes to read about what the letter’s author considers, “one of the finest shelters imaginable.” https://www.mohavedailynews.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-a-place-of-refuge

A huge thank you to Jacob Abbot for this honor, and our compassionate team members who are making a difference in Mohave County!

Impact by the Numbers

Help ensure that our students are ready for Back-to-School by donating to our Westside Head Start Amazon Wishlist!

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