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
Giving life to hope: Remembering Rep. Elijah Cummings
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One woman’s impassioned commitment to health and housing
Sr. Helen Amos, RSM, has spent years working to make homelessness in Baltimore rare and brief through the Journey Home initiative and the city’s plan to end homelessness. She has led, since 1999, Mercy Health [...]
Protecting vulnerable individuals
For someone to accept help, they first need to feel safe. That is a special priority when it comes to the children, older adults, and adults with disabilities whom Catholic Charities serves. Every employee working [...]
What love looks like: Dedicated servants to be honored
(August 22, 2019 - BALTIMORE, Md.) One of Baltimore’s legendary stages will light up with powerful testaments to service on Oct. 22 when two of the area’s best-known leaders and one movingly committed teenager are [...]
Listen to your mother – eat your veggies
It's a treat to shop at Maryland's farm stands during the summer and lucky for our residents and staff at the Jenkins Senior Living Campus in Halethorpe the farmers market comes to them every Wednesday [...]
Support back-to-school supply drive
Join us in collecting school supplies for the children of Violetville Elementary and Middle School. The school supply list for Pre-K to 8th-grade students is listed below. Please drop off your donated items to St. [...]