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
Becoming Myself Again
(l-r) Meg Otake, an occupational therapist, Virginia Mellendick and Gredrivus Valaitis, a physical therapist at St. Elizabeth. "On the 21st of May, I went into the Upper Chesapeake Hospital as a result of [...]
The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth
Charmaine Scalley gets a drink at the snack station that is accessible 24 hours a day. Any observer of the Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth’s can see that it does not operate like a [...]
The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth Recognized for Excellence in Senior Care
Christine Podles (right), administrator of The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth, accepts LifeSpan Network’s Golden Q award from Glenn Scherer, Executive Director of Augsburg Lutheran Village and Board Chair of the LifeSpan Board. The [...]
St. Elizabeth’s Residents’ Comments
"I’m quite content at St. Elizabeth’s. I’ve made many friends here and I’ve lost many friends too. I’m cared for by a wonderful group of staff people, friends and family." -Elsie Hartlove, St. Elizabeth Elder [...]
Tyra Gay
by Jim Hillman Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but Beautiful elders are works of art." –Eleanor Roosevelt Tyra Gay came to work with elders at Caritas House nine years ago somewhat by [...]
“I See Myself in the People Who Live Here”
Caritas House volunteer Jim Jeppi While coping with the loss of his mother in 2014, Jim Jeppi sought to fill, in part, the void he felt by looking for ways to continue helping [...]