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June 20 was World Refugee Day - a day that honors and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. Catholic Charities' Refugee Services will help more than 250 individuals and families make Iowa their home by the end of our fiscal year this month.
Catholic Charities celebrated World Refugee Day here in Des Moines this last weekend which honored refugees and immigrants from our community. Catholic Charities also competed in the Cup of All Nations Soccer Tournament.
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Around Catholic Charities | |
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Brain Break: Grab a Snack
Grabbing a snack or a small bite to eat can help you when you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Chewing and even smelling food automatically activates the digestive system; since this requires energy, the body's attention is directed away from the nervous system.
This helpful Brain Break tip is brought to you by the Catholic Charities' Counseling Program.
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Grateful Clients
At Catholic Charities, our mission is to Empower Individuals and Strengthen Families. We do this by treating all who come to us with dignity and respect, no matter their background. Recently, a Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry client gifted the food pantry with a drawing and handmade frame to show his gratitude for the program. The drawing is currently displayed at the food pantry.
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Honoring 23 Years of Dedicated Service: Shelly Starbuck
Shelly Starbuck has made an impact at Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Des Moines through her leadership and dedication. After 23 years of service, Shelly prepares to retire on June 30, 2024.
She began her journey with the Diocese and Catholic Charities in 2001 and helped build the human resources department. In 2011, Shelly officially joined the Catholic Charities team as Operations Administrator. In 2014, as HR tasks transitioned from the Diocese to Catholic Charities, she became the Director of Human Resources/Operations. During her time at Catholic Charities, she helped onboard more than 200 staff members. She also led the organization as the temporary Executive Director in 2018.
As she prepares for a well-deserved retirement, we celebrate her and the legacy she is leaving behind. Her guidance, dedication and compassion have made a lasting mark on Catholic Charities.
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Help Feed Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter Guests
We are extremely grateful to our volunteer meal providers for helping us provide nutritious and fresh meals to the families we serve at the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter. In addition to having a kitchen full of groceries, we provide guests with dinner seven days a week. Meal providers are always needed and are a huge help to our staff. There are currently multiple open days in July and August in need of volunteers.
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We Are There
Each day, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers serve our neighbors — the hungry, the unhoused, those in need of counseling, the lost and struggling, the stranger — with love and compassion. Because dignity is no small thing.
For 100 years, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines has brought comfort, hope and relief to our neighbors, regardless of their background, in central and southwest Iowa.
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Catholic Charities Disaster Relief - Funds Still Available
When disaster strikes in our neighborhoods we are reminded of the importance of community and the call to serve and love others. We are here to assist and support those in need during this time of hardship.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines, is able to offer support through a Disaster Relief Assistance Program funded by Catholic Charities USA. Individuals and families affected by either the April 26th or May 21st tornadoes can apply for a grant.
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Join Our Leadership Team!
We are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader with a deep commitment to the mission and values of Catholic Charities, which are rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, to serve as our Executive Director. Our organization’s next leader will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission and ensuring the effective delivery of vital services to those we serve. We also have other openings on our leadership team for dedicated individuals to manage and lead our service-minded staff of doers.
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Helping Hands: Pat Johnson | |
Pat is pictured with his wife, three daughters and son-in-law. | |
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Pat Johnson is passionate about serving those in need and knows he is making a difference by volunteering at the Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry. He is known as the 'food pantry guy' around St. Augustin Catholic Church and serves as the parish's Food Pantry Coordinator. He started volunteering at the Catholic Charities' Food Pantry two years ago and has greatly enjoyed his time. Pat is grateful to be able to serve those in need and work alongside his fellow volunteers.
“Volunteering at the Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry is very rewarding. Just hearing clients say ‘God bless,’ makes it worthwhile,” said Pat. “I plan to volunteer as long as I can.”
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Summer Program Needs
It’s officially summertime! If you or your organization is looking for a way to help others in the community this summer, Catholic Charities has you covered! We have created a list with some of our programs' most needed items. Consider participating in our Catholic Charities' 100 Challenge by donating 100 items in celebration of our centennial year!
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Volunteer at Catholic Charities this Summer
Are you looking to add some service into your summer? Catholic Charities has great volunteer opportunities for everyone! We are always looking for dedicated individuals and groups who want to help serve our neighbors in need. For more information on how to get involved, contact Catholic Charities Community Relations Manager, Emily Klisares, at eklisares@catholiccharitiesdm.org or 515-237-5078
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We would like to congratulate Francisco Garcia and Shalom Lule on their recent promotions to Catholic Charities Refugee Services Supervisors. Congratulations and thank you for all you do for Catholic Charities and our clients. | |
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Francisco Garcia
Francisco started with Catholic Charities in 2022 and has enjoyed working alongside other passionate team members across every program. He is grateful for all the knowledge and experiences he has gained and feels like there is always something new to learn. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, spending time with friends and family, watching sports and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. This time of year you can find Francisco outside enjoying the warm weather and attending different festivals around the Des Moines Metro.
Thank you Francisco for all that you do!
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Shalom Lule
Shalom has been with Catholic Charities since 2022. He enjoys working at Catholic Charities for the fulfilling work and being able to give back to the community. He enjoys working with the other passionate and dedicated members of the Catholic Charities’ team. Shalom is also a part-time student at DMACC studying Computer Information Systems. He enjoys photography and playing soccer (in person or through his video game console).
Thank you Shalom for all that you do!
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Centennial Moment: Catholic Charities'
Emergency Family Shelter | |
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The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter, formerly known as the St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter, has been serving families experiencing homelessness in Des Moines for more than 30 years. The Catholic Charities’ Emergency Family Shelter is committed to keeping families together and is the largest family shelter in Des Moines.
Former Bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines, Most Rev. Joseph L. Charron, C.PP.S., said in a past Catholic Charities’ newsletter, “The Emergency Family Shelter is unique among the many shelters in the community in that it is specifically for children and their families. The mission of the shelter is to honor the humanity in each of our guests by opening our arms to them.”
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Your Support Serves Thousands in Central and Southwest Iowa
Catholic Charities' Annual Appeal is the primary funding source for Catholic Charities along with government and private grant funding.
Donors who commit to an annual gift help strengthen and empower individuals and families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Consider an annual gift that will help all year!
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Keep up with us on Social Media!
Follow Catholic Charities of Des Moines on social media. Be up to date on events, news and our programs!
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Serving those in need within the Diocese of Des Moines
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Des Moines serves those in need within the 23 counties of the Diocese of Des Moines in southwest Iowa. Our mission to empower individuals and strengthen families applies to anyone in need in the area, regardless of demographic. Our mission is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Our programs and services include refugee resettlement, professional counseling, food pantry, domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and services, emergency family shelter and more. We impact over 35,000 individuals each year.
Find more information about Catholic Charities here.
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