Highlights from CCUSA

Register for the 2021 Annual Gathering at the lowest price available for members!

We know you are looking forward to the opportunity to reunite with members from across the ministry. Register today for the 2021 CCUSA Annual Gathering at the “Early Bird” member rate—don’t miss the chance to save!  Register today to join with agency staff and volunteers united in transforming the lives of people and communities. Celebrate our theme - HOPE IS BOLD! - with others committed to our mission to bring help and hope to all people. Early Bird pricing ends July 31^st. To register go to the 2021 Annual Gathering.

Share your story with the Catholic Charities network

CCUSA’s Storybank, a tool that allows staff of Catholic Charities member agencies – and anyone touched by the Catholic Charities ministry – to share insights and memories of people realizing their inherent dignity: stories that relate everything from overcoming an addiction to finding sustainable employment and affordable housing. One of the best ways to make an impact on the important issues that the Catholic Charities ministry addresses is to show how people are actually helped: what was the specific issue?; how was it resolved?; what did Catholic Charities do?; was there a government program that was essential to the process? The stories collected through this tool will be used to raise national awareness of the work of the Catholic Charities network including, but not limited to, posting to CCUSA’s website and online platforms, sharing with national media outlets and policymakers, and featuring in future issues of Charities USA. Please note: All submissions will clearly credit the respective member agency. SUBMIT YOUR STORY HERE.

The Laudato Si' Action Platform

Pope Francis is challenging Catholic communities and organizations across the world – including Catholic Charities agencies - to gradually work toward "total sustainability" in our common call to care for creation. This invitation is centered upon a Laudato Si’ Action Platform through which Catholic organizations publicly commit to a seven-year journey of ecological conversion. The action platform is framed across seven Laudato Si’ goals which reflect Catholic Social Teaching and provide “footsteps” in areas such as education, spirituality, the adoption of sustainable practices, community engagement, and a commitment to address poverty. Registration to commit to this process has now opened and will conclude on October 4, the Feast of Saint Francis. Read more here. You may also reach out to Scott Hurd, Vice President for Leadership Development and Catholic Identity at CCUSA.

Events and Webinars

Register for "Laudato Si and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home"

Registration is now open for “Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home,” to be held virtually from July 13-15, and co-sponsored by the Catholic Climate Covenant and Creighton University. Headline speakers include Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, and Sister Ilia Delos, OSF, PhD, of Villanova University. Click here to register or for more information.

Mercy and Mental Health: Strengthening our Pastoral Response

“Mercy and Mental Health: Strengthening Our Pastoral Response,” is the theme of this year’s Social Action Summer Institute, which is sponsored by Catholic Charities USA. Join this annual conference on July 14 and 15 for keynote presenters and workshop leaders who will examine mental health issues through a lens of mercy and justice and consider ways our Church can improve its response. Interpretation in Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided during keynote presentations and workshops. A Spanish workshop track is available. Register here.

Catholic Charities USA invites you to join Best Friends Animal Society for an informative, interactive presentation about healthy housing for people and pets. We will provide an overview of best practices for ensuring a safe and positive environment for all residents of pet-inclusive housing, and resources for pet owners, housing providers and care coordinators. We will also discuss successful programs with Catholic Charities Eastern Washington and Catholic Charities Santa Rosa to serve "both ends of the leash," as well as opportunities to partner in other communities served by Catholic Charities. Link to article here. 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. The post-test survey will close 7 days after you receive the link to your email. CE Certificates will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion. Date: July 15, 2021. Time: 3 PM EDT. Register for this webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Designing a Database for a Catholic Social Teaching-Based Case Management Model

This workshop introduces participants to the use of a logic model to support the design of a client centered database for a case management program. The model of case management used at CCCS is both malleable and adaptable, as is characteristic of this form of service delivery. Client needs, willingness to engage in services and access to resources vary to a great extent at the individual level and this lack of structure to the program model posed significant challenges to the database design team. The presentation will include a discussion of the logic model development process, the articulation of the process of care (i.e.: the CCCS Case Management Model), the key elements of database design, the conflicts that emerged along the way and the end product, which has been in use since September 2020. This presentation is intended to highlight the complexity involved in moving somewhat intangible and ambiguous service models – as are often present within many human service programs and may be even more pronounced among Catholic Social Teaching based models – into databases that necessitate rules and order and structure. Date: October 6, 2021. Time: 2 PM EST. Register here.

The Service at the Speed of Light: The New Non-Profit Normal webinar

This year has been one of the most challenging faced by non-profits, and the needs are incredible. By January 2021, American renters already owed $34B in back rent and growing! Agencies must work closely with community and civic leaders to broaden impact and improve effectiveness by quickly expanding service capacity through creative technology use allowing millions of dollars of assistance in a day. Is your agency ready to implement a program providing over $60M in financial assistance in 3 months? Does your agency understand impact on hiring, call volume, compliance, and finance? These are all challenges Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston confronted when they received a contract to provide CARES funding to more than 50,000 families in 3 months. This presentation will provide you with the insights gained through their experience. After this workshop, the answer to any of the questions listed above will be, “Absolutely, we can!” It is the new non-profit normal. It is service at the speed of light! Date: Oct. 12, 2021. Time: 2 PM EST. Register here. 

Grant Opportunities and Resources

Grant Opportunity: CCUSA Financial Education AmeriCorps Program

CCUSA is currently looking for additional grantees for the Financial Education AmeriCorps program! The AmeriCorps members in this program will primarily use the FDIC Money Smart curriculum to teach clients how to enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. AmeriCorps members can also provide other asset-development activities, including tax preparation, financial counseling, IDA enrollment, and much more. This program has a goal to help clients improve their financial literacy and navigate financial decisions more efficiently. If your agency is interested in learning more about this federal grant opportunity, please reach out to Abby Qualliotine.

A message from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about eviction moratorium

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a number of steps being taken to keep people in their homes by protecting renters and homeowners who are still experiencing shocks from the pandemic and its economic fallout. While the nationwide eviction moratorium was extended until July 31, it is important to direct families and communities resources described below to help people stay in their homes.

• Until July 31, individuals can present a “” to their landlord stating that they cannot pay rent due to lost income or high expenses. Everyone on the lease needs to sign the form. You can check eligibility and find the . A moratorium is just a pause on payments; individuals must still pay or face eviction when the moratorium is lifted. That is why it is important to direct members of your community to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program which can pay back rent and other expenses, depending on what your local area covers.declaration formform at this website
• The can provide up to 18 months back rent, utilities, moving expenses, late fees, and other expenses. Specific coverage and income eligibility limits depend on where you live. Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramVisit this website to find out specific information and start your application process in your community.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides to help renters understand more about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.  a set of resources
• Individuals can connect with a HUD-Approved housing counselor by going to or by calling (800) 569-4287.this HUD website

Individuals at risk of losing their home or need support related to housing should visit https://www.usa.gov/finding-home or https://www.hudexchange.info/housing-and-homeless-assistance/ .

L'Arche Heartland in Overland Park, Kansas looking for executive director, community leader

The community leader is responsible for guiding L'Arche Heartland in living authentically the mission and values of L'Arche in its commitment to community among adults with and without intellectual disabilities, finding spirituality in its daily life, while simultaneously maintaining strict compliance with all licensing requirements. Read more here.

Employment Opportunities

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. 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.