Catholic Charities Bloomington recently completed its ninth year of offering mental-health programing at Fairview Elementary School. Fairview Elementary is Bloomington's most economically disadvantaged and most racially diverse elementary school; nearly 85% of students are eligible for free-and-reduced lunch.

This successful collaboration removes transportation, logistical, and financial barriers that might otherwise prevent children from receiving mental health care by providing therapy onsite and during the school day for students referred by teachers and school social workers.

During the 2023-2024 school year, 32 students (over 10% of the school population) were served by this program. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Fairview Elementary staff and leadership in making this program a success, along with the dedicated work of the CCB therapists and interns who supported this program. We are also grateful to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and the Smithville Charitable Foundation for providing grant funding that supported this project. Learn more about our services at www.ccbin.org

Amy* came to Becky's Place when her husband became violent after only a month of marriage. She didn't realize that she was fleeing domestic violence but she left everything behind to go and create a new life for herself.

When she first arrived, Amy was often scared when she heard loud trucks or the doorbell, worried it was her husband. She talked with staff about being scared and what she went through and they helped her find resources, counseling, and education about domestic violence.

Amy decided she wanted to attend church. Her case manager found the perfect church and she began attending weekly. She started participating in Bible Study groups and self-help meetings. She started to feel more confident and strong. Amy found her voice. She swore to never return to her husband and to help others who are experiencing domestic violence.

She found employment near Becky's Place and worked as much as possible. She saved enough money to get a car and secure housing. She started giving others advice on how to leave unsafe situations and told them how she was a living example that it could be done.

Amy has moved to a neighboring county and is thriving. She has a protective order and support at her new home. She is grateful to Becky's Place for helping her through a difficult time and giving her the support she needed. 

*Name changed for privacy

Click here to learn more about Becky's Place.

During the 2023-2024 school year, the School Social Work program consisted of 25 staff members serving 27 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese.

Throughout the year, staff saw students struggling to regulate their thoughts and emotions. In response to this, staff attended a training presented by Carlabeth Mathias, LCSW with Mathias Counseling and Consulting on distress tolerance skills. Distress tolerance skills help students manage their emotions through the use of relaxation techniques, coping skills, communication skills, interpersonal effectiveness, and prayer.

Staff has seen success with implementing practices from the training in their school setting. According to one school social worker, “The urgency of School Social Work programs is growing. The Social Work area that each of us creates lets children breathe, calm down and regulate their emotions when needed. In this space, children know that they are being heard and acknowledged as unique individuals. We protect distress-free zones inside the school building and help children be better equipped to learn.”

Click here to learn more about our school social work program.

On Saturday, June 22nd, Huber’s Orchard & Winery held a 5K Wine Run where St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities was honored to be the local charity partner. Organizers said it was one of the highest turnouts they have seen at a 5K Wine Run! St. Elizabeth volunteers showed up to hand out water and metals to participants. We were delighted to see so many familiar faces in the crowd with even SECC staff and Council Members running in the race. Over $2000 was raised for our programs! Learn more about the work of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities at stecharities.org

Catholic Charities Tell City recently held our annual cash raffle. The drawing for winners took place on Wednesday, July 17 at our Advisory Council Meeting. We awarded $1,400 in prizes. Congratulations to our winners! Thank you for helping us to raise $3,500 to provide help and create hope! Learn more about the work we do by visiting our website.

Rising from the Rubble

On the evening of Friday, March 31, 2023, the small town of Sullivan, Indiana was brought to its knees by a series of strong storms that included an EF3 tornado. When the sun rose Saturday morning, the light revealed sights resembling a warzone - something many residents had never experienced. One of the many buildings destroyed was that of Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank partner pantry, Our Father’s Arms. Since the late 1980s they have served as a food pantry and clothes closet for the Sullivan community and are considered a staple for their neighbors.

Refusing to call it quits, the volunteers that keep Our Father’s Arms operational rallied together to generate funds and manpower to rebuild. Roughly 10 months after losing it all, the new facility was open to serve the public on February 2, 2024. In an average year, Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank provides Our Father’s Arms with as much as 121,000 pounds of food. The new addition of a walk-in cooler will expand the types of food they can receive and distribute to the community.

From Despair to Determination

“I was just living in Terre Haute and I didn’t have a place to go,” says Summer, “I didn’t know how to get an apartment. I didn’t know how to get a house. I don’t have any family here and I don’t have any connections here.”

Summer, a current resident at Bethany house is 23 years old and says her current focus is saving money for a place to live. “It is hard to be a woman and sleep on the street,” shares Summer. “This place has saved my life, meeting new people who love me for who I am and support me and no one is asking me anything or any favors or anything anymore and I feel amazing...I put myself first, and I should have put myself first a long time ago but now I finally am.” To learn more about Catholic Charities Terre Haute visit our website at ccthin.org

Social Concerns

Hygiene Care Package Project Update

Through the generosity of our Archdiocesan parishes, schools, and community groups, over 1000 Hygiene Care Packages were assembled and distributed at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Over 150 of our brothers and sisters who reside on the streets of downtown Indianapolis received a hygiene bag providing the gift of encounter to each and all.  The remaining hygiene care packages were then distributed to those attending the Eucharistic Congress, with the mission of taking the hygiene bag back to their community to give to someone in need. The goal was to replicate the Hygiene Care Package Project within their communities.  

Each instruction card located in the hygiene bag included how to replicate the service project and helpful do's and don'ts in what to include in the bags, as well as the message:

"Jesus tells us “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Following this call, we strive to serve our brothers and sisters so we can also serve Christ. By offering a simple gesture of a hygiene care package, we encounter Christ in the face of those who might feel forgotten and have the opportunity to remind them that they matter! The Hygiene Care Package Service Project is designed to empower schools, families, parishes, and communities to be a light to those in darkness and encounter Christ in every person they serve."

Click here for more information about Social Concerns.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities Give for Good Louisville

Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 

Details: Annual day of giving hosted annually by the Community Foundation of Louisville.

Catholic Charities Terre Haute Cheers for Charity

Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024

Location: Vigo County Historical Museum

Details: Join us for an evening of culinary excellence and charity. Experience a progressive-style dinner specially created by local Chef Kris Kraut, featuring appetizers, salad, entrees, and desserts paired with wine or bourbon. Tickets are limited! Don't miss this unique dining experience. For more information, call (812) 232-1447, Option 3.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities November Events

Becky's Place Run for Hope 5K

Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024

Time: 9:00am

Location: The Depot- Downtown Bedford

Details: Join us for a fun morning and support a good cause by participating in our annual Thanksgiving 5K or 1 mile Family Fun walk. More information and registration can be found here.

POD and TOD designations can help

to avoid probate court  

Payable on death and transfer on death (POD and TOD) are estate planning terms that financial account holders should be familiar with and can utilize for an easy, fast transfer of accounts that avoid probate court. Probate can be time-consuming and costly, but there are ways to avoid it.

Adding a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) designation to an account allows the assets (money and property) in that account to be passed to a named beneficiary when the original account holder dies. POD and TOD accounts bypass probate. They are free to set up. The POD or TOD account or assets transfer directly to the beneficiary. The major difference between POD and TOD accounts is the type of assets held in the account.

• POD is a designation added to a bank account, such as a checking account, savings account, certificate of deposit (CD), and money market account.
• TOD applies to an investment account, such as an individual retirement account, 401(k), brokerage account, and other accounts holding securities.

Transferring a bank account to a POD account, or an investment account to a TOD account, may be as easy as signing a document with your financial institution. Please consult your estate planning attorney for assistance.

The Catholic Community Foundation (CCF) is happy to provide additional information on POD or TOD designations. Please contact us at ccf@archindy.org or 317-236-1482.

Dennis Craig

Catholic Charities Bloomington

Interim Clinical Director

Natalie Watson

Becky's Place

Program Director

www.archindy.org/cc