AWARE
What is AWARE?
Many of our views about people who are disadvantaged are developed through media reports and distant observations. These perspectives can be skewed and not include the myriad of causes and effects.
Catholic Charities is pleased to offer AWARE, an interactive, hands-on educational experience that helps to broaden people’s perspectives on those in need. AWARE exposes participants to realities that deepen their understanding and appreciation of the realities of life that affect our clients and guests.
Topics include exploring the challenges of people who are experiencing hunger and homelessness, people who are aging, families living in poverty, early childhood education, immigrants and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
AWARE is ideal for:
- Parish groups, including parish staff, parish councils, adult education, social justice committees, youth and other interested groups
- Corporations seeking to learn about the community while fostering teamwork and community service
- Individuals who seek to further understand social issues and take action
- Leaders-in-training in the faith community
- School-aged youth and college students
Participants can choose from the following Catholic Charities programs to learn about the realities of:
People who are hungry and experiencing homelessness:
Weinberg Housing and Resource Center
Our Daily Bread Employment Center
My Sister’s Place Women’s Center
People who are aging:
Jenkins Senior Living Community
Early childhood education:
Head Start of Baltimore City
Immigrants:
Esperanza Center
Individuals with intellectual disabilities:
Gallagher Services
State Legislative Advocacy:
Catholic Charities’ Advocacy Department
Q. How long are AWARE sessions?
A. AWARE sessions are typically 2-3 hours long, depending on the program.
Q. How many people are needed for each session?
A. Each session must have 5-8 participants. Some program sites can handle larger groups. Please contact us to see if that is an option for your group.
Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. Generally, AWARE is for people aged 18 or older. However, it can be adapted for participants under age 18 with adult chaperones.
Q. How do I schedule an AWARE session for my group?
A. Have your group review the programs that offer AWARE and call us with a list of your top three choices. The Office of Parish Social Ministry will coordinate with you and our programs to find the best time to hold a session.
Sarah McIlvried
Social Ministry Coord., Parish Social Ministry
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
smcIlvried@cc-md.org
667-600-2020
Contact Sarah McIlvried, smcIlvried@cc-md.org, 667-600-2020
Project Aware in the News, Stories & Testimonials
Grant Winner Restarts Project Documenting Home Remedies
A Baltimore Sun article Written by Brent Jones of the The Baltimore Sun April 26, 2010 When Herbert Johnson was a kid, an audible cough or a red-hot forehead would send his grandmother into action, [...]
Employees from Walgreens Lend a Green Thumb to Abingdon Senior Housing Residents
Residents choose plans for their garden plots. (Photo by Nancy J. Oppel) It was a warm and sunny day when employees from various Walgreen's locations descended on Abingdon Senior Housing to assist residents [...]
Catholic Charities Senior Housing Marks 30 Years of Operation with Continued Growth (2011)
What began with the construction of Basilica Place in Baltimore City in 1981 has expanded to include 22 Catholic Charities Senior Housing apartment communities for low- to moderate-income seniors in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and [...]
Building Community at Our Lady of Fatima I & II
Catholic Charities Senior Housing Services Manager, Edris Segree, is working hard to build a sense of community within the Our Lady of Fatima I and II complex in East Baltimore. The Fatima I building opened in November of 2009 and Fatima II opened [...]
Arbutus Woman Crochets 100 Scarves for Children
By Brian Conlin, The Arbutus Times bconlin@patuxent.com Eva Atkinson doesn't think what she did was a big deal; it's everybody else who thinks so. Atikinson, 82, who lives in Catholic Charities Senior Housing [...]
Catholic Charities Senior Communities: What Our Residents Are Saying
A resident of Everall Gardens enjoys painting holiday decoration. "Catholic Charities has been a Godsend to me. The apartment in which I was living prior to my moving to DePaul House was nice, [...]