May 19, 2010

ACA helps support Charities

By Julie Filby

Since its kick-off last month, the 2010 Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal (ACA) has received pledges of more than $3 million from approximately 10,000 households. The goal of this year’s appeal is $8.5 million.

“The initial response is encouraging,” said Todd Smith, director of annual giving for the archdiocese. “All gifts are key to the success of the appeal, regardless of the amount.

“This year, perhaps like no other year, our strength will be in our numbers,” he added.

The ACA is an opportunity for parishioners from all over northern Colorado to pool resources to support nearly 40 archdiocesan ministries that are too large for any one parish to maintain.

One of the ministries supported by the ACA is the charitable arm of the Denver Archdiocese, Catholic Charities. For more than 80 years Catholic Charities has extended the healing ministry of Christ to the poor and those in need.
Last year Catholic Charities served 80,000 people of all ages, faiths, ethnic backgrounds and economic circumstances at sites in metro Denver, Greeley, Fort Collins and Glenwood Springs. Ministries that help provide the basic necessities of life—food, clothing and shelter—include the following:

• Five shelters for homeless individuals and families, including case management and employment programs.
• Five emergency assistance centers that provide food, rent, utility assistance and referral services to other resources.
• Eight child-care centers serving more than 400 children, between 6 weeks-12 years of age.

There are many additional services provided by the organization such as immigration services and legal assistance, adoption agencies, pregnancy counseling, foster care, adult education, English as a Second Language classes, mental health counseling, assistance for developmentally disabled adults, senior services, parenting classes, youth outreach and mentoring, and farm labor housing.

Long-time supporters of Catholic Charities and those just learning of the ministry are invited to “Come and See.” Come and See tours provide the chance to learn firsthand about Catholic Charities through a succinct tour at one of two sites: Samaritan House at 2301 Lawrence St. in Denver, and Byers Place Emergency Assistance Center at 1205 W. Byers Place in Denver.

“’Come and See’ tours tell the story about how Catholic Charities has been able to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Kurt Bartley, chief development officer. “It’s a powerful, one-hour presentation for anyone interested in learning more about what we do, as well as hear about our plans.”

Come and See tours are offered 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, and 11 a.m.-noon on the last Friday of the month. The next tour is May 28 at Samaritan House. Group size is limited and RSVP required at 303-377-1371 or kbarley@ccdenver.org.

The tours demonstrate how compassion, healing and hope impact the lives of families and individuals.

“The poor and vulnerable are our neighbors,” Bartley said. “They’re seeking help and resources to lead a more dignified life in our community.”

Maintaining the dignity of each individual served is important to the ministry.

“We found 98 percent were ‘very satisfied’ with our services, 97 percent felt they were treated with dignity and respect, and 98 percent would recommend Catholic Charities to others,” Bartley said.

Catholic Charities is thankful for the generosity of ACA donors.

“Every gift is important and greatly appreciated,” Bartley said. “We are deeply grateful.”

Donations to the appeal are tax deductible, and can be made in one lump sum or in payments over several months. Cash, checks or credit cards are accepted.

“All families are asked to come together in support of this most essential campaign,” Smith said. “To those who have not mailed their donation yet, please do so as soon as possible.”