Programs

  • Program 1 [2021]

    FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING PROGRAMTHE FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING PROGRAM PROVIDES HOPE AND HELP FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES. WE OFFER SENSITIVE, CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT ADDRESS A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, MENTAL ILLNESS, MARITAL PROBLEMS, PARENTING DIFFICULTIES, LIFE TRANSITIONS, AND GRIEF/LOSS ISSUES. OUR AIM IS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING TO ALL, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ETHNIC/CULTURAL BACKGROUND, FAITH/NON-FAITH TRADITION, OR ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCE. WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE HELP OUR CLIENTS GAIN UNDERSTANDING AND SKILLS WITH WHICH TO COPE WITH LIFE'S PROBLEMS, WE ENABLE THEM TO LEAD MORE PRODUCTIVE AND SATISFYING LIVES THAT IN TURN POSITIVELY IMPACT ALL THOSE WITH WHOM THEIR LIVES INTERSECT. A VERY IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT A PERSON DOES NOT NEED TO BE CATHOLIC TO RECEIVE OUR SERVICES.COUNSELING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY TRAINED AND LICENSED PROFESSIONALS. INSURANCE IS ACCEPTED AND MAY COVER THE COST OF SERVICES, BUT A SLIDING FEE SCALE BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND FAMILY SIZE IS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE. DURING THIS REPORTING CYCLE, 454 INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, OR FAMILIES DIRECTLY RECEIVED COUNSELING SERVICES. DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA PARTNERED WITH ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY TO PROVIDE COUNSELING SERVICES ON CAMPUS TO STUDENTS. CLIENTS NO LONGER STRUGGLE WITH THE STIGMA OF HAVING A COUNSELOR AND ARE WILLING TO DISCUSS THEIR PROBLEMS WITH OUR QUALIFIED STAFF. WE HAVE ONE COUNSELOR ON CAMPUS AND WE WILL ADD ONE MORE WHEN THERE IS A DEMAND.OUR COUNSELING CLIENTS COME FROM MANY WALKS OF LIFE; THEY ARE MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN, SINGLE AND PARTNERED, CITIZENS AND IMMIGRANTS, HOMELESS AND WELL-RESOURCED. WE ARE HONORED TO MEET EACH ONE ON THEIR JOURNEY WITH KINDNESS AND THE SKILLS TO HELP THEM COPE WITH ISOLATION, LOSS, CONFLICT, TRAUMA, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2020 – Jun 30, 2021
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $317K

  • Program 2 [2021]

    CATHOLIC CHARITIES REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM (CCRRP) HAS A RICH HISTORY OF SERVING PRIMARY REFUGEES IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1975. THE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM MEETS THE REGIONAL NEEDS OF THE REFUGEES DESIGNATED TO RESETTLE HERE, EITHER THROUGH FAMILY REUNIFICATION OR AS "FREE CASES" ASSIGNED TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. NEW REFUGEES ARE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE AS THEY ENTER THE UNITED STATES. AS THE ONLY RESETTLEMENT AGENCY IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, CCRRP SEEKS TO ADDRESS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS OF ALL NEW REFUGEES SUCH AS ACCESS TO SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING, INCOME, MEDICAL CARE, EDUCATION, AND EMPLOYMENT. OPERATING UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS/ MIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICES (USCCB/MRS) IN COLLABORATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE/BUREAU OF POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION (DOS/PRM), CCRRP CARRIES OUT REFUGEE SERVICES TO ADDRESS NEEDS BY PROVIDING DIRECT CASE MANAGEMENT AND NETWORKING WITH THE INTENTION OF BUILDING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY IS ACHIEVED THROUGH ACQUIRING SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING, ASSET BUILDING, FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING, AND BASIC EMPLOYMENT SOFT SKILLS TRAINING WHICH ASSISTS REFUGEES IN GAINING THE ABILITY TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT, A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. WE ALSO PROVIDE CULTURAL, TRANSPORTATION, SHOPPING AND BUDGETING ORIENTATIONS. WE WELCOMED 18 INDIVIDUALS IN FISCAL YEAR 2021. REFUGEE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WE CARED FOR CAME FROM BURMA (MYANMAR), ETHIOPIA, CONGOLESE, AND SOMALIA, WE SAW CASES CONSISTING OF ONE INDIVIDUAL TO CASES COMPRISED OF 2-6 INDIVIDUALS. AS A PROGRAM, OUR GREATEST STRENGTH IS OUR INTENSIVE CLIENT-CENTERED CASE MANAGEMENT. GOALS ESTABLISHED FOR REFUGEES ARE INTENDED TO: ADDRESS IMMEDIATE SOCIAL/EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, ATTAIN A STABLE ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOP SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT, UNDERSTAND BASIC FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES, AND PROMOTE SEAMLESS INTEGRATION. THE PROCESS WE UTILIZE ENTAILS AN INTAKE AND ASSESSMENT, GOAL DEVELOPMENT, INTERVENTION, REFERRALS, MONITORING AND REASSESSING THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE PERIOD AND TRANSITIONING SERVICES SEAMLESSLY TO OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS AT THE END OF THE 90-DAY RESETTLEMENT PERIOD. THE GOAL OF RESETTLEMENT IS EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS THAT WILL ASSIST THEM ON THE ROAD TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. REFUGEES WANT WHAT MANY AMERICANS WANT: TO FEEL A PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY, GAIN EMPLOYMENT, AND ULTIMATELY FIND A PLACE TO CALL "HOME."CATHOLIC CHARITIES REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT CONTINUES TO FACILITATE THE MATCH GRANT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, WHICH ASSISTS REFUGEES THAT ARRIVE WITH WORK HISTORY AND SOME FLUENCY IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 180 DAYS AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL. MATCH GRANT SERVICES INCLUDE RESUME BUILDING, EMPLOYMENT SOFT SKILLS TRAINING, INTERVIEWING SKILLS TRAINING, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, AND POST-EMPLOYMENT ADVOCACY AND MEDIATION. WE ARE CURRENTLY SERVING 16 INDIVIDUALS IN THE MATCH GRANT PROGRAM THIS YEAR. CCRRP ALSO FACILITATES THE REFUGEE CASH ASSISTANCE (RCA) PROGRAM. RCA IS AN EIGHT-MONTH GOVERNMENT FUNDED CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR REFUGEES THAT ARRIVE AS SINGLES OR MARRIED COUPLES WITHOUT CHILDREN. THROUGH A USCCB PARISHES ORGANIZED TO WELCOME REFUGEES (POWR) GRANT WE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO PURCHASE GROCERIES FOR NEWLY ARRIVED FAMILIES WITH CULTURAL GOOD ITEMS GIVING THEM A SENSE OF WELCOME AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS IN THEIR NEW HOME. WE THANK ALL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE DEDICATED HUNDREDS OF HOURS TO BE FAMILY MENTORS FOR FAMILIES AND HELP GUIDE THEM IN THEIR NEW COMMUNITY AS WELL AS BEFRIEND THEM, LIVING THE WORDS OF "WELCOMING THE STRANGER." VOLUNTEERS CAN MAKE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A REFUGEE. ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW VOLUNTEERS CAN TRULY CHANGE A REFUGEE'S LIFE IS THE STORY OF ONE WOMAN WHO WAS ENROLLED IN OUR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MATCH GRANT. SHE WAS HIGHLY MOTIVATION TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT BUT SHE WAS STRUGGLING WITH ENGLISH, WHICH WAS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR HER TO FIND A JOB. ACTUALLY, SHE HAD A FAIR BIT OF ENGLISH, BUT LACKED THE CONFIDENCE TO SPEAK. THROUGH OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, WE WERE ABLE TO MATCH HER WITH A VOLUNTEER WHO CAME TO HER HOUSE TWICE A WEEK TO PRACTICE CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF ONE-ON-ONE ENGLISH TUTORING WE WERE SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH CONFIDENCE SHE HAD GAINED. THIS CONFIDENCE ALLOWED HER TO INTERVIEW AND HIRED AT A LOCAL COMPANY. WE CREDIT THE VOLUNTEER WHO TOOK THE TIME TO SIT WITH HER AND HELP HER PRACTICE HER ENGLISH. NOW SHE CAN SUPPORT HER AND HER FAMILY AS THEY BUILD A NEW LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, WE CONTINUED TO SEE OUR COMMUNITY'S WELCOME OF REFUGEES THROUGH DONATIONS OF ESSENTIAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (BEDS/TABLES/CHAIRS, NEW PILLOWS, ETC), CHILDREN'S WELCOME BASKETS, HYGIENE BAGS, CLEANING SUPPLY KITS, AND SURVIVAL KITS. THESE KITS/BASKETS CONTINUE TO BE A WONDERFUL WAY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THAT WANT TO SUPPORT REFUGEES IN OUR COMMUNITY, TO ASSIST THEM IN GAINING THE BASIC ITEMS NEEDED AS THEY ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY. EACH FAMILY, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE, RECEIVES AN ESTIMATED $1,000-$2000 DOLLARS IN DONATED ITEMS, COMPLETELY FROM THE GENEROSITY OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM ALL THE COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA THAT HAVE HELPED US THIS YEAR.WE CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE REFUGEES' GAINING FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENTS TO HELPING REFUGEES MOVE TOWARDS FINANCIAL STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. WE PROVIDE EACH REFUGEE THAT ARRIVES THROUGH OUR PROGRAM WITH TWO CLASSES ON FINANCIAL LITERACY THAT COVER TOPICS SUCH AS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS, ESTABLISHING SAVINGS, SETTING LONG-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS, ASSET BUILDING, AND VARIOUS BUDGETING TECHNIQUES. CLASSES ARE PROVIDED IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES AND INTERPRETATION ASSISTANCE IS ALSO PROVIDED. CATHOLIC CHARITIES REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM'S MISSION IS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEES BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE CASE MANAGEMENT TO GUIDE THEM ON THEIR NEW JOURNEY AND EMPOWER THEM IN THEIR NEW LIFE.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2020 – Jun 30, 2021
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $320.6K

  • Program 3 [2021]

    ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMSTHE ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMS OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MN (CCSOMN) PROVIDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE CHANGING LIVES. THE PROGRAMS ARE EVIDENCE-BASED AND HAVE PROVEN OUTCOMES TO HELP BUILD PEOPLES' CONFIDENCE IN MANAGING THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS, INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS. PROGRAMS SERVE ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF FAITH TRADITION, AND ARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND HELP PEOPLE LIVE INDEPENDENTLY LONGER. THE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN MINNESOTA. 1,257 PARTICIPANTS WERE SERVED FROM JULY 1, 2020 - JUNE 30, 2021. THESE NUMBERS REMAINED HIGH, DESPITE THE COVID PANDEMIC, AS VOLUNTEER LEADERS LEARNED TO CONNECT WITH PARTICIPANTS VIRTUALLY TO HELP THEM REMAIN ACTIVE AND SOCIAL.EXERCISE PROGRAMS ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR CLASSES AVAILABLE. TRAINED VOLUNTEER LEADERS ARE PROVIDING SAIL (STAYING ACTIVE & INDEPENDENT FOR LIFE) AND THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM. EACH PROGRAM PROVIDES EXERCISES TO IMPROVE STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY AND ENDURANCE, WHILE PROVIDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND SOME ALSO HELP PROBLEM-SOLVE AND PROVIDE EDUCATION. PARTICIPANTS STATED THEY ARE STRONGER AND ABLE TO DO MORE DAILY ACTIVITIES THAT USED TO BE HARD FOR THEM. PARTICIPANTS OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE BY INCREASING ACTIVITY AND MODIFYING EXERCISES TO MEET THEIR ABILITY. FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN WAYS TO BETTER MANAGE THEIR OWN HEALTH, ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMS INCLUDES CLASSES THAT SUPPORT THOSE MANAGING ONGOING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND CHRONIC PAIN. THESE INTERACTIVE CLASSES PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH SELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES, LEADING TO AN INCREASED SENSE OF WELL-BEING AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE.THE POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVER, ANOTHER OFFERING IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, IS DESIGNED TO HELP CAREGIVERS TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES. PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM LEARN TO REDUCE STRESS, COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY, REDUCE GUILT, ANGER AND DEPRESSION AS WELL AS HELP TO MAKE TOUGH CAREGIVER DECISIONS. THIS PROGRAM HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY IMPACTFUL TO THOSE WHO ATTEND.THE ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMS WERE FUNDED BY AMERICORPS, MN BOARD ON AGING AND GREATER MANKATO AREA UNITED WAY.FINANCIAL COACHING PROGRAMOUR PREVIOUS FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM MOVED UNDER ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMS AND IS NOW TITLED FINANCIAL COACHING PROGRAMS. THE GOAL IS CONTINUE OFFERING THIS VALUABLE SERVICE UTILIZING VOLUNTEERS UNDER AMERICORPS SENIOR RSVP TO LEAD CLASSES.FINANCIAL COACHING USES MATERIAL DEVELOPED BY THE FDIC, UNDER THE HEADING MONEY SMART. THE PROGRAM IS AT ITS CORE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO LEARN AND HAVE AN OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT, LONG-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS, AND OTHER FINANCIAL TOPICS THAT HAVE INFLUENCED THEIR LIVES. IN TODAY'S WORLD WE MUST HAVE SOME BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW BANKING SYSTEMS WORK, HOW CREDIT AND CREDIT SCORES INFLUENCE HOW WE ARE JUDGED AND DEEMED WORTHY, THAT CREDIT CARDS CAN BE A TOOL BUT IF MISHANDLED LEAD TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, AND THAT BY HAVING MONEY PUT ASIDE FOR LIFE'S UNEXPECTED EVENTS WE CAN CREATE A PRICELESS SAFETY NET. MONEY MANAGEMENT IS NOT OFTEN TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, MOST LEARN BY TRIAL AND ERROR, AND TOO MANY ERRORS LEAD TO DEBT THAT SEEMS INSURMOUNTABLE. CLASSES CAN BE SET UP IN A SERIES OR OFFERED ONE AT A TIME. OPTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TEENS. AS ACTIVE AGING PROGRAMS WORKED TO REESTABLISH THESE FINANCIAL PROGRAMS AND BUILD A CORE OF VOLUNTEERS, THE EMPHASIS IN 2021 WAS ON THE MONEY SMART FOR OLDER ADULTS WHICH SPEAKS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT ELDER ABUSE AND FRAUD THROUGH SCAMS. FROM JULY1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2021, 25 OLDER ADULTS ATTENDED THIS WORKSHOP EITHER IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY THROUGH THE ZOOM PLATFORM. AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVPIN 2021, THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE REBRANDED TO BECOME AMERICORPS. OUR FORMER COMMON GOOD RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FALLS UNDER THIS FEDERAL PROGRAM AND IS NOW KNOWN AS AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP. THE PROGRAM OPERATES IN COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, INCLUDING: BLUE EARTH, BROWN, DODGE, FARIBAULT, FILLMORE, FREEBORN, GOODHUE, HOUSTON, LE SUEUR, MARTIN, MOWER, NICOLLET, OLMSTED, RICE, STEELE, WABASHA, WASECA, WATONWAN AND WINONA.WORKING AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL WITH NOT FOR PROFIT AGENCIES, AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP ENGAGES ADULTS AGE 55 AND OVER TO VOLUNTEER THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THEIR NEIGHBORS IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH VOLUNTEER SERVICE. THIS SERVICE IS COMPLETED THROUGH A NETWORK OF NOT FOR PROFIT AGENCIES SUCH AS HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SENIOR CENTERS, NON-PROFIT TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS, SCHOOLS AND FOOD BANKS. RSVP VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CRITICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING: FOOD DELIVERY, TRANSPORTATION, COMPANIONSHIP, FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT, LEADING HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, TUTORING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND HOME REPAIR/BUILDING. AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP SUPPORTS PARTNERING NOT FOR PROFIT AGENCIES BY RECRUITING, REFERRING, SUPPORTING AND RECOGNIZING VOLUNTEERS SERVING WITHIN THEIR AGENCIES. FROM JULY 1, 2020 TO JUNE 30, 2021, 968 RSVP VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 87,030 HOURS OF SERVICE TO 120 NOT FOR PROFIT AGENCIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. MANY OF THESE HOURS WERE SERVED DESPITE DIFFICULTIES IN PROVIDING SERVICES DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. WAYS TO SERVE WERE REIMAGED AND THESE RESILIENT OLDER ADULTS ROSE TO CHALLENGE TO CONTINUE CONNECTING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jul 1, 2020 – Jun 30, 2021
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $494.4K