May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know him clearly.
May he enlighten your innermost vision
that you may know the great hope to which he has called you,
the wealth of his glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the church.
Eph 1:17-18

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Highlights from CCUSA

The M&A Subgroup on Learning, Analysis, Measurement, and Evaluation is hosting an open forum, group discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2-3 PM Eastern time. The topic is evaluation readiness - conceptualizing evaluation readiness, identifying its objectives, and carrying out the necessary activities that align with our programmatic and organizational mission. Jennifer Strand, director of research and evaluation at Catholic Charities Fort Worth, will provide a case example of her experience leading this effort. We invite all Catholic Charities staff with interest or expertise on the topic to participate in this important dialogue. Register here.

Events and Webinars

Racial Equity in Community Recovery: CBOs, NGOs, and Government Collaboration

This event will cover the topic of equity in disaster recovery outcomes, and the complex and interdependent roles of government agencies, community-based and non-governmental organizations in promoting or hindering equitable outcomes. Panelists will discuss the interplay between institutional responses and community resilience in the experiences of historically excluded populations, and particularly the implications of these dynamics for the work of disaster relief practitioners and policy-makers. Date: Nov. 1, 2021. Time: 4:30 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.

Working with the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program: One agency's story, Catholic Charities of Western New York webinar

The Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program supports low-income pregnant and post-partum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. CCWNY recently received a national grant through the National WIC Association to analyze applicants' social determinants of health during counseling and link them with appropriate community supports. Staff will receive training on understanding bias and cultural humility. In addition, WIC will be educating the community and health care providers on how the Catholic Charities WIC Program promotes health equity. We invite you to join us and learn more about the WIC program as well as reflect on one's understanding of bias and our ability to make a difference in the community we serve. Date: Nov. 10, 2021. Time: 2 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

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.