Catholic identity is foundational to the work and ministry of Catholic Charities; appropriately, "Catholic Identity" is a strategic priority of CCUSA. But how might Catholic Charities' embrace of Catholic identity be assessed, in order that it might be enhanced? Faced with a similar question, the Catholic Health Association (CHA) recently introduced the CHA Ministry Identity Assessment to promote the key components of a robust ministry assessment process for Catholic hospitals and health systems. This presentation will explore how this tool might be used and adapted within Catholic Charities. The presenters are Brian P. Smith, VP of Sponsorship and Mission Services at CHA, and Carrie Meyer McGrath, System Director, Formation Design and Development, at CommonSpirit Health. Date: Oct. 21, 2021. Time: 3 PM ET. Click HERE to register. 

United in Mission – Leading self and others through Catholic culture webinar

An organization can have many good leaders (managers, directors, even key volunteers), but without a foundation in understanding oneself from a Catholic perspective, something will be missing that enhances culture and mission. This webinar will present the United in Mission initiative of Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, consider how its framework can be applied within other agencies, and explore its components: Leading the Spiritual Self; Leading the Outer Self; and Leading Others. Join us to cover the following components. The presenter is Deacon David Hamel, Chief of Mission Integration for Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma. Date: Oct. 25, 2021. Time: 3:30 PM EST. Register in advance for this webinar here.

Engaging the diaconate: How Dallas equips deacons to integrate faith and service

Permanent deacons in the Roman Catholic Church have the unique opportunity to be activated, engaged, and unleashed to strengthen the integration of faith and service for the Church and for its people. With the intention of empowering deacons to work closely with their local Catholic Charities office, and in service to each deacon’s specific parish and the greater diocese, representatives from Catholic Charities Dallas Parish & Community Relations Office and the Diocese of Dallas Diaconal Ministry and Formation Office will present how this is being done in the Diocese of Dallas. This webinar’s presenters are Lacy de la Garza, M.Psy., Director of Parish & Community Relations for Catholic Charities Dallas, and Fr. Emmett Hall, Director of Diaconal Ministry & Formation for the Diocese of Dallas. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Date: Oct. 27, 2021. Time: 3 PM ET. Register here.

Fund development for the healthy nonprofit webinar

Trying to learn effective fund development techniques can be difficult. In this session, you will learn from a company that has passion, strategic vision, and tactical elements for fundraising success. We will share how the approach of Let’s Build Hope has impacted Catholic Charities of St. Louis since 2019. Join us for a webinar to overview the three pillars of development success: board development, case development, and annual planning. Starting with these three pillars not only leverages your scarce resources but enables you to meticulously project performance and consistently transform prospects into the family. These engaged donors and stakeholders feel the passion for your cause so deeply and hope so profoundly that they understand your organization is not in it for the money, but because you can help them change the world. This workshop will share how these pillars became the drivers that changed the way Catholic Charities of St. Louis approaches development and creates lasting and inspired relationships with supporters. Date: Oct. 27, 2021. Time: 3 PM ET. Register here.

Old age - our future: Continuing the conversation

We need you to help us keep up the momentum! Joan a conversation that builds on our four-part webinar series sponsored by the Catholic Health Association, the Community of Sant'Egidio and Catholic Charities USA. Watch a highlight video from the sessions. This conversation and webinars are in follow-up to the Pontifical Academy for Life's 11-page "note," Old Age: Our Future. The Elderly after the Pandemic, which calls us to respond to the needs of elders. To continue the conversation, we invite all interested in further discussing how we, as church, volunteers, agencies and service providers, can help our older neighbors age in place. We need you to formally participate with one of these two opportunities: (1.) Spend five minutes during the call describing how you are supporting older people. (2.) Record an interview - or recommend someone we should interview - who is able to stay at home despite some frailty or limitations. Complete this Participation Opportunities Survey link to take part in this upcoming event. We need innovators, collaborators and people of good will to join the conversation. Please register today. Program information. Date: Oct. 28, 2021. Time: Noon ET. Register here.

Leveraging trends and emerging technologies to deliver an improved client experience

The webinar will show how technology and for-profit sector partnerships can create creative solutions to long-standing problems. Our team will breakdown how the use of artificial intelligence allows organizations to reach clients quickly in a fast pace area of law, as well as improve onboarding of clients during the intake process. Our top priority and focus has been 1.) driving significant Client Experience improvements, and 2.) Meeting our clients where they are with the use of creative technology. Together, we brainstormed on the use of current and emerging trends and technologies to realize these objectives. Trends and technologies we embraced and are leveraging are AI-based videos, automated forms with Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, smartphone document scanning integrated with back-end case management system. Date: Oct. 28, 2021. Time: 2 PM ET. Register here.

Parent engagement strategies in a pandemic and beyond webinar

Join us and learn how elevating parent-voice and promoting civic engagement can build resilience! This webinar will explore the readiness of your agency to partner with parents and brainstorm training options necessary for staff and parents to advance leadership. By the end of the session, participants will know about the five commitments essential to promote strong parent engagement and equal and equitable partnerships. Date: Nov. 3, 2021. Time: 2 PM ET. Register here.

Catholic Charities Cleveland: Innovation Challenge follow-up webinar

Max Kolbe Program: An enhanced peer support program that eliminates poverty by incorporating peer recovery support, job training, community collaborations, and social enterprise that partners with local Health systems and provides 24/7 access to on call peer recovery coaches and responds to drug related ER visits. The unique combination of programs within MAX will allow for the service of two, often overlooked, populations of poverty. First, is the population that is in recovery from a substance use disorder, while still living in poverty because of the challenges in finding livable wage employment. Poverty and unemployment together increase the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. The second target population is those living in poverty who experience a substance use crisis. Date: Nov. 4, 2021. Time: 2 PM ET. Register here.

Catholic Charities Omaha: Innovation Challenge follow-up webinar

This three-year project delivers the Catholic Charities of Omaha Microbusiness Program through an online format to 315 budding entrepreneurs served at six Catholic Charities member agencies across the US, facilitating the creation of 150 new businesses and 160 jobs. The work is an expansion of a proven microbusiness program model that annually helps 650+ low-income Nebraskans avoid poverty while strengthening local economies. This initiative serves low-to-moderate income adults seeking opportunities to become small business owners, but lacking business knowledge, resources and capital. Participants are actively receiving services from a Catholic Charities member agency. Client feedback ensures our curriculum is relevant and effective; curriculum is offered in both English and Spanish, and is tailored to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the groups we serve. Date: Nov. 9, 2021. Time: 3 PM ET. Register here.

The theology of the Good Samaritan: Putting Fratelli tutti into action webinar

This webinar will explore Pope Francis' new encyclical, Fratelli tutti, and its invitation to renew our commitment to caring for our neighbors and global society through actions of justice, solidarity, and dignity. It will incorporate participants' personal experiences to embrace key topics at the center of the encyclical and the Catholic Social Teaching tradition. Particular focus will be given to the encyclical's meditationi on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The webinar will incorporate the methodology of see, judge, and act to discern the "signs of the times" in the service of solidarity, the promotion of justice, and pursuit of the common good. Participants will appreciate their vocation as missionary disciples by responding to community needs and questioning those structures that inhibit human development. Presenter: Mr. Yohan Garcia, Catholic Social Teaching coordinator for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development. Date: Nov. 11, 2021. Time: 3 PM EST. Register in advance for this webinar here.

Grant Opportunities and Resources

Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition presents video project regarding prayer in prison

CPMC is thrilled to announce the launch of Holding Still, an event in partnership with Prison Contemplative Fellowship. The documentary premiere - hosted by Fr. Jim Martin, SJ - presents a diverse group of spiritual seekers speaking candidly about their journey of practicing centering prayer while serving time at Folsom Prison. Their intention is to bring this practice to other incarcerated men and women, knowing the power of this practice can heal trauma and trasform toxic shame. After the viewing there will be a Q&A between Fr. Jim, the filmmakers, and the men featured in the film. Date: Oct. 20, 2021. Time: 7:30 PM ET. Please take a moment to register here and share the event with you network using this promotion kit.

New Child Tax Credit resources

The Child Tax Credit is part of the American Rescue Plan and aims to help families raising children make ends meet. Experts estimate the new Child Tax Credit has the potential to cut child poverty in half. See the new video series about Advance CTC: The IRS YouTube channel contains a video series on Advance Child Tax Credit that addresses information on eligibility, how to receive the payments and how to avoid tax scams related to the Child Tax Credit.

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 Nick Paige. 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.