Everything we do sets the whole web of creation trembling, with light or with darkness. 
It is an awesome thought, that a good word spoken might help a beggar in Calcutta 
or a burning child in Burundi; or conversely. 
But there is beauty and simplicity in it, sufficient to touch our finite minds.
From For the Islands I Sing, by George Mackay Brown

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Highlights from CCUSA

Sign up to receive Charities USA, the quarterly magazine of CCUSA

Charities USA is now being published in a digital format only. Be sure to sign up and read about the amazing work of local Catholic Charities agencies and the national office. The spring issue will be released early May. Sign up here.

CCUSA COVID-19 Resource Center

Check out the CCUSA COVID-19 Resource Center on the CCUSA website. The resource provides the latest news, advocacy efforts and stories from the Catholic Charities ministry in the United States. Also included is general guidance from the federal government.

Would you like to share your disaster knowledge with the network?

The Call for Proposals for the 2020 Applied Institute for Disaster Excellence is now open!  We want to offer relevant disaster education that provides participants with best practices and new skills to meet the needs of those we serve. Please consider sharing a workshop topic of interest and/or your expertise with colleagues. Please go to www.ccusaaide.org to view the Call for Topics instructions and to submit your idea. 

Events and Webinars

Understanding Trauma-Informed Care in the Context of an Adoption Program

Date: May 19, 2020 at 2:00 PM EDT. Register here. Join us as we explore the implementation of a trauma-informed approach within an agency, and specifically within an adoption/post-adoption program. We will help build a foundational understanding of trauma by discussing underlying assumptions about trauma as well as strategies for resilience. There will be time for questions and sharing ideas between attendees. Following this presentation attendee will be able to:

1. Define trauma and the different types of trauma
2. Explain the parallel process of trauma, resilience, and recovery among children, families, providers, and systems.
3. Identify strategies for cultivating resilience (and regulation) in self, team, and clientele

NOTE: This webinar offers 1.0 Continuing Education Credit. Course completion requirements - To earn CE credit, participants must log in at the scheduled time, attend the webinar and complete an online course evaluation and CEC post-test. Certificates of credit will be emailed within 10 business days of each course completion.

Sterling Volunteers Webinar: “Real” Best Practices for “Virtual” Volunteers

Thursday, May 21, 2020  @ 11:00am PT | 2:00pm ET; Register HERE.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming complimentary webinar from Sterling Volunteers for a discussion on how to identify needs that can be addressed by virtual volunteers and also learn about tools and tips to adapt best practices within virtual engagement.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• The evolving definition of virtual volunteers
• Tips for screening and placing volunteers virtually
• How to equip virtual volunteers for success
• How to best leverage technology
• Tips for holding virtual volunteers accountable

A virtual conference on workforce trends and leadership

Elevate 2020 is a three-day virtual conference - June 10-12, 2020 - that will build cultural competency and critical thinking around workforce trends and leadership in the nonprofit sector. (The event will remain open 24/7 during the conference, so you can attend whenever it’s convenient for you during this period of time.) Participants are eligible to earn an e-Certificate in Workforce Trends and Leadership that may be uploaded to LinkedIn and other digital platforms. Elevate’s robust programming hosts four live keynote addresses, includes more than 20 live and on-demand sessions, and provides countless networking opportunities. You’ll also gain access to numerous digital resources that focus on issues like leadership in virtual workspaces and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Elevate's timely content will develop your leadership skills so you can make an impact in your community and in the nonprofit sector. Learn more and Register HERE.  

Grant Opportunities and Resources

Sterling Volunteers offering FREE basic background checks to Catholic Charities agencies

Sterling Volunteers, a valued Catholic Charities USA partner, is extending a helping hand to our network to help safely mobilize trusted volunteers around essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sterling Volunteers is offering FREE Basic Background Checks, along with reduced pricing for MVR’s and other screening packages (click here for full details). This COVID-19 special offering has been extended through August 31, 2020. If interested, CLICK HERE to connect with Sterling on this offering and any other specific needs. Please note, the special pricing is not retroactive nor automatic for existing customers; please contact SV if you are interested in utilizing the discounts.

The Hope for Creation Initiative invites you to submit prayers, meditations, stories, essays, statements, reflections, art, poems, songs, photos, videos, etc. that lift your love and hope for God’s creation!

Please share this call for creative submissions with others in your community. Are you a teacher? Invite your students to share their imagination and participate in Hope for Creation. Artists and writers, this is your opportunity to contribute creative beauty. Pastors and spiritual directors, an anxious world needs your inspiration and vision. Everyone may contribute and restore hope to the world. Submissions may be your original work or you may submit something that you found inspiring or moving. If not original, please give the source or attribution. Submissions will appear on the “Hope for Creation” webpage and may (with permission) be used during the time between Earth Day (April 22) and Laudato Si’ week (May 16-24) in a social media campaign lifting Catholic climate action. Submissions should also be accompanied by an action you pledge to take to care for creation in 2020. For action ideas, go here. If you have questions about the Hope for Creation initiative, please contact Paz Artaza-Regan.

Foundation for Financial Planning

In response to the current coronavirus crisis, the Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP) has accelerated the launch of CFP® Volunteer Match, an online platform to facilitate the connection between financial planners who want to help and nonprofits that have virtual opportunities to reach financially vulnerable individuals and families in need of pro bono financial advice. On CFP® Volunteer Match, nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities for Certified Financial Planner® professionals to virtually engage in one-on-one sessions or in interactive, small group sessions with people in need. CFP® volunteers are experts in their field and can help with budgeting/saving, managing debt and credit, navigating government benefits, and much more. We encourage you to register and post any virtual opportunities for CFPs to serve your constituents.

Seed Grants Available for the Creation or Expansion of Supportive Services to Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

The Brookdale Foundation Group has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the creation or expansion of supportive services to grandparents and other relatives raising children. Up to 15 programs will be selected to receive a seed grant of $15,000 ($10,000 and $5,000 respectively), contingent upon progress made during year one and potential for continuity in the future. On-going technical assistance will also be provided. Any 501 (c)(3) or equivalent not-for-profit organizations can apply. The RFP proposal and guidelines can be downloaded by visiting our website. Proposals are due at the Brookdale Foundation Group office in New Jersey on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Selected applicants will be required to attend an Orientation and Training Conference, as our guests, to be held October 22-24, 2020 in Teaneck, NJ. Questions? Contact: Melinda Perez-Porter, Director, Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP), The Brookdale Foundation Group.

Catalyst Kitchens (by FareStart) in collaboration with CCUSA to offer "Train the Trainer Workshop"

The Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer workshop brings together members working directly with students in the kitchen, classroom, and as case managers to discuss how to coach students to reach their fullest potential. Topics include: Strategies to establish a culture of learning; classroom and kitchen instruction skills for diverse learners; and writing techniques for productive student evaluations. Take advantage of your CCUSA partnership discount and receive $125 off the workshop fee. Use discount code CKPARTNER at checkout to redeem. Upcoming workshops: Seattle, Wash., hosted by FareStart, July 30-31; Phoenix, Ariz., hosted by UMOM New Day Centers, Oct. 15-16. Click here to learn more.

Employment Opportunities

Catholic Charities job opportunities now listed on CCUSA website 

Anyone can view the job opportunities by clicking on the "Careers" tag on the footer of the CCUSA webpage. To post a job opportunity, one must be a member and have access to the members' portal in order to fill out the submission form (click on "Careers" tag on members only portal homepage). If you have any questions about the new job opportunities submission form, please contact David Werning or Lily Stewart. Please click here to access job opportunities.

CCUSA Photo Gallery

Did you know that one of the benefits CCUSA provides to member agencies is access to a professional photo gallery? Visit our Flickr photo pages to explore our albums and photos. If you would like a high-resolution version for your agency's use, please email CCUSA with photo number.