Jingle Party welcomes all at Our Daily Bread Employment Center
When Jasmine Jones thinks about a Christmas party, she thinks big – how to offer food, gifts and a holiday break to anyone who shows up. That’s the idea behind the Jingle Party, a new approach to Our Daily Bread Employment Center's annual Christmas gathering. In recent years, the center hosted a 100 Man Party, [...]
Coming to the plate in a new way
During the 2021 baseball season, Cedric Mullins came to the plate 602 times for the Orioles. This month, he served dozens of plates of food for Our Daily Bread Employment Center, part of the standout centerfielder’s effort to give back to Baltimore. Serving hot meals along with a handful of other volunteers, Mullins surprised lunch [...]
Windows, doors and a new roof – renovations at two Senior Communities buildings
A $7.3 million renovation in two Catholic Charities’ buildings will provide older adults in affordable housing with a variety of upgrades by next summer. The multi-year effort at the connected properties – DePaul House and St. Joachim House – includes new windows, doors and heating-and-cooling systems in every unit, upgraded community kitchens, better accessibility in [...]
Award recipient moved by resilience and determination at My Sister’s Place
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, college student Karen Sun was an active volunteer at My Sister’s Place Women's Center, often supporting onsite workshops. After the pandemic struck, she shifted her volunteer service to coordinating partnerships with other local agencies to provide clients with as many resources as possible, including legal support. Now, Catholic Charities is honoring [...]
Honoring a joyful and justice-oriented Baltimore pastor
From the time Rev. Ray Chase started his ministry with Catholic Charities 43 years ago, his spirit of joy shone clearly, brightening the lives of those he served. This year, the pastor of Baltimore's St. Vincent De Paul parish was named the recipient of the Msgr. Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award. Commissioned to recognize [...]
A life-long labor of love
A Baltimore County grandmother who has dedicated 27 years of her life to serving children with significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges is one of three exemplary area servants Catholic Charities will recognize the week of November 8-12. Geri Olsen will receive the Distinguished Service Award for her decades of volunteer services to the residents and staff [...]
Celebrating one year of serving a community mind, body and soul
In the midst of a global pandemic and historic unemployment numbers, people across the country including here in the Baltimore area were desperately searching for support. Support to keep a roof over their heads, feed their families and find the balance to stay mentally stable and physically well. Residents in Baltimore's Irvington community were able [...]
An open door leads vulnerable youth to a safe haven
American teens carry a heavy load. Hybrid learning, peer pressure, social skills, and social media - the list goes on and on. A survey by the Pew Research Center shows any or all of these topics can push youth ages 13 to 17 to destructive behaviors including anxiety, depression, bullying, and drug and alcohol use (and [...]
Ready to support students as the thrill of back-to-school wears off
As students across Maryland arrived back at school in recent weeks, thrilled to be done with remote learning, Carl Fornoff and his team were on watch. Fornoff is the regional director of Catholic Charities' Villa Maria Community Resources, which provides mental health services to around 2,000 children in over 120 schools in Maryland. Many of [...]
Not your typical back-to-school celebration
"I thank God for Safe Streets," said long-time Brooklyn Homes resident Charlene. "If it wasn't for Safe Streets, I really don't know where I would go for help." Charlene was one of nearly 300 community members who attended the third annual Safe Streets Brooklyn back-to-school event on Sept. 3. The neighborhood buzzed with excitement as [...]