Catholic Charities Connect - October 2024 Edition

October 2024

Drawing by Avery, age 11

[And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32

As the leaves begin to turn in some parts of the state and the crisp autumn air settles in, we are reminded of the beauty of change and the blessings that come with each new season. This fall, we invite you to join us in reflecting on gratitude, community, and service. 

In this edition of Catholic Charities Connect, you’ll hear about a generous donation from Desert Financial Credit Union and learn unique ways to give to Catholic Charities. You’ll also read about Domestic Violence Awareness and a thoughtful donation to Teens’ Closet. 

Together, let’s embrace the spirit of giving and support one another as we celebrate the bounty of the season. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission!

Catholic Charities Receives
Distinguished Accreditation 

Catholic Charities has earned the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the most prestigious level of recognition offered by GuideStar and Foundation Center, leading sources of philanthropic research. The Platinum Seal indicates that Catholic Charities not only shares important data to help donors and supporters make informed decisions, but also showcases strategy, goals and the deeper impact of our work. 

We look forward to enhancing trust among the community and continuing to uphold a high standard of transparency for those who support our programs!

A Big Suprise from Desert Financial Credit Union 

Pictured above left to right: Catholic Charities Philanthropy team members, Jazmin Estrella, Isaac Dizon, Wendy Owens and Angela Boysel 

Our philanthropy team was thrilled to receive a surprise gift of $8,500 last month from Desert Financial Credit Union in honor of the credit union’s 85th anniversary. The funding was in addition to a $15,000 grant for Catholic Charities’ Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program, which licenses and trains foster parents to care for foreign-born children in the U.S. 

The funds will go toward tutoring and tuition for unaccompanied minors. Thank you to Desert Financial for their continued generosity and remarkable community-wide impact!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month  

Pictured above left to right: My Sisters’ Place and Pathways team members, Katrina Trast, Dawn Curtis and Ellya Stewart 

The team at My Sisters’ Place, Catholic Charities’ confidential shelter for survivors of domestic violence, attended the City of Chandler 16th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Event. This annual event provides education and increases awareness about domestic violence and services available for survivors. 

On October 24th, we invite you to wear purple to help raise awareness in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Wear Purple Day.

*source: AZ Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence 

Help Domestic Violence Survivors Heal

Even if you haven’t experienced domestic violence yourself, you may know a friend or loved one who has. 

Access to resources is incredibly important for survivors of domestic violence. Having food, hygiene items and clothing readily available allows a person to focus on their healing rather than just survival. You can donate these items and more to My Sisters’ Place and Pathways by using our Amazon Charity List.

Prescott Tour Features Teens’ Closet 

Pictured above left to right: LaWana Fulton Mills, Regional Manager, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Shannon Hill, Catholic Charities Volunteer Services Manager; Cathy Peterson, Catholic Charities Vice President of Northern Programs; Danielle Stazenski, Catholic Charities Teen Closet Coordinator; Diane DeLong, Catholic Charities North Star Youth Partnership Senior Program Manager

LaWana Fulton Mills, Manager of Welfare & Self-Reliance Services for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently toured Catholic Charities programs in Prescott, including Teens' Closet, to explore partnership opportunities in supporting Northern Arizona communities. Teens’ Closet, a program of Catholic Charities’ North Star Youth Partnership, provides free, quality clothing to Prescott quad-city area teens who are in financial need. Set up like a clothing boutique, teens can come in every other month to shop.

In one of many contributions, LaWana and her church will provide winter coats to help meet the needs of local programs this season. Thank you, LaWana and our supporters at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for your commitment to working together to uplift individuals and families in need!

Give Your Set of Wheels a New Purpose 

Do you have a used car, boat or RV that you no longer need or use? If so, consider donating it to Catholic Charities and making a real difference in the lives of those we serve! Sales of donated vehicles provide funds directly to our programs and support our clients in their time of need. 

We offer free, convenient pickup of vehicles in any condition, whether they are running or not. Donations are tax-deductible, and we provide a receipt upon pickup. Learn more about how to donate your vehicle.

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