A $40,000 grant was awarded from the Community Foundation and monies in the amount of $62,490 was given from the HUD Emergency Solutions Grants Program through HHVS. The purpose of the Short Term Rental Assistance Program of Catholic Charities is to assist individuals and families to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

According to the October 2012 report from the Collier County 211 information and referral service, 43% of the problem/needs callers were looking for help with paying their rent or utilities. These calls are three times as many as the next requested service.

“The demand for the assistance to thwart homelessness in Collier County has not subsided,” said Armando Galella, District Director of Catholic Charities of Collier County, Diocese of Venice, Inc. “We will continue to provide both rental and utility assistance at the Family Resource Center of Catholic Charities in East Naples and Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities in Immokalee,” he said.

According to Galella, a typical client in Collier County in need of rental and utility assistance is a low-income female head of household that is Hispanic or Latino, with children under the age of 19 years old, living in Central Naples, Golden Gate or Immokalee.

“The economy and housing market may be recovering in Collier County, but the plight of poverty still exists,” said Galella. “Because of these new grants, Catholic Charities is grateful to be able to continue to provide these important services to the community.”

For more information, please call Armando Galella at Catholic Charities of Collier County, Diocese of Venice, Inc. at 239-455-2655.

John and Brenda Fitzgerald received the James A. McTague Humanitarian Award at Catholic Charities Emerald Ball on March 16. The award, created by the Advisory Board of Catholic Charities of Collier County Diocese of Venice, in honor of James McTague who served Catholic Charities in Miami Venice and Naples, as well as Catholic Charities USA in Washington DC.

 Outstanding in his many years to community service is the completion of his 17th Annual Undy Sunday. This project was created in 1997 by John along with Jim McTague to donate underwear and socks to needy children .Through John’s leadership this project has grown and now includes 50 participating churches and synagogues and many volunteers. In the past 17 years nearly 600,000 under garments have been given to disadvantaged children in 24 Collier County elementary schools.

 The Fitzgerald’s moved to Naples in 1993 and have given many devoted years to Catholic Charities of Collier County and the Diocese of Venice. Brenda has a long history of volunteering with the AIDS ministry, Catholic Charities and St. John the Evangelist Parish. They have 3 children.

 John graduated from Marquette University in 1953 and has a 35 year business career including multiple years as President, Director, partnership and /or owner of such diverse companies as Triwec Transformer Company, Arch Creek Nursing Homes, Atlanta/LaSalle Capital Corporation, a private venture capital company, Security Bank, National City Unites, and as John is quick to point out, he once he d a very small ownership share of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

 Always dedicated to his community John is an Honorary Trustee of Benedictine University; Director and President of the Fitzgerald Brothers Foundation which supports the developmentally disabled; Director,, Secretary, Chairman of Program Planning Committee as well as Past President of Catholic Charities of the Palm Beach Diocese. John served on the Advisory Council to the Archdiocese of Miami and Pension Advisory Board of the Archdioceses of Miami, St Petersburg and Venice.

Former McTague Humaitarian Awardees Dr. Joe and Judy Sullivan join Father John Ludden and several distinguished guests just prior to a fabulous Ritz dinner.

John and Brenda Fitzgerald flanked by the 2013 Emerald Ball Co Chairs, Dr. Francisco and Ruth Smith.

One of our special guests was Adrianna Campbell. Adrianna was a rental and utilities assistance client whose testimony was heart warming.

Many thanks to the DeGennaro’s!

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers prepare simple federal tax returns for people whose incomes are $50,000 or less. The VITA site at Guadalupe Social Services this year is operating on every Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6^th, 2013, will be the last day of operation.

To date tax refunds have exceeded $210,000.

Fresh produce is now available monthly at both the Family Resource Center and Guadalupe Social Services food banks.

Thanks to Harry Chapin Food Bank we are now able to offer clients who qualify fresh produce on a monthly basis. Please contact either our Family Resouce Center or Guadalupe Social Services for details.

The Soup Kitchen has been providing the impoverished people of Immokalee a hot meal Monday through Friday since 1982. About 35,000 hot meals are served each year by a group of about 150 volunteers.

Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities also began operating

A warm and nutritious meal

Bishop Frank Dewane Blesses the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen

Guadalupe Social Services Program Director, Ninfa Drago (left) and her staff and volunteers at the Casa Maria Opening

District Director, Armando Galella, welcomes the Trustees of the Naples Children's Education Foundation to Casa Maria Soup Kitchen

the Clothing Room and Shower Program. The Clothing Room provides clients with clothing and household items. The Shower Program provides clients with shower facilities and fresh towels, clothing, and toiletries to maintain their hygiene as well as their dignity.

Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities also offers a Food Pantry, a Financial Assistance Program, Citizenship and Immigration Services, School on Wheels, and special efforts such as Back-to-School Assistance, Undy Sunday, and Holiday Food and Gift Programs.

“The plight of poverty is an ongoing issue in Immokalee. Many people in this community lack basic necessities such as food and clothing, and a place to take a shower,” said Galella. “The Guadalupe Center recognized that need three decades ago with the opening of the Soup Kitchen, Clothing Room and Shower Program. Catholic Charities hopes to keep these important services available to the community well into the future.”

For more information, please call Armando Galella at Catholic Charities of Collier County, Diocese of Venice, Inc. at 239-455-2655.

Based on the most recent information available and using our new, two dimensional rating system (CN 2.0) we have issued a new rating for your organization. We are proud to announce Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. has earned our third consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way. Only 9% of the charities we rate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.

Visit www.charitynavigator.org for more information.