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Building Stronger Communities
Catholic Charities is building stronger communities through education, advocacy and outreach.
From innovative education and training opportunities, to legislative lobbying in our state and national capitals, we work to ensure that our mission is fulfilled with the hope that all persons may have what is necessary to reach their greatest potential.
Advocacy and Outreach
Catholic Charities advocates for people of all ages, genders, faiths, and economic backgrounds, especially the materially poor. Recognizing that all human life has dignity and value, Catholic Charities is a voice for the vulnerable - the elderly, the unborn, and the forgotten.
We accomplish much of this working with a network of about 40 parishes and organizations known as the Catholic Social Ministry Association (CSMA). This group helps us bring resources such as food and utility assistance, tax preparation help, neighborhood safety, and health screenings to the people in need. Most importantly, this help is neighborhood-based so people have convenient access to what they need.
We welcome concerned people in the community to join our advocacy efforts.
Contact Catholic Charities’ Director of Mission Integration or refer to these resources to learn more about our advocacy and outreach efforts.
Human Rights Office of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Missouri Catholic Conference
Catholic Charities USA
Poverty in America: A Threat to the Common Good
A policy paper of Catholic Charities USA
Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Catholic Charities Father Hix Center – Kansas City, MO
The Father Hix Center provides Hispanic Outreach Services in northeast Kansas City in the form of translation, information, referrals, and advocacy for persons seeking assistance with a variety of issues, including health, legal, education, employment, transportation, public services, and many others.
Named for the late Fr. John Hix, beloved pastor of St. Aloysius Parish from 1986 to 2001, the Catholic Charities Fr. Hix Social Service Center provides a range of services to persons residing within the parish boundaries of St. Anthony Parish.
Services include:
- Emergency assistance with rent, mortgage, utility, food, identification, clothing and medical needs
- Hispanic outreach services including: information and referral services
- Food stamp application assistance
- Health screenings and education for diabetes, obesity, and hypertension
- Health related case management
Contact:
Sofia Marin, Outreach Specialist
Located at St. Anthony Parish
309 Benton Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64124
816.241.9886
Rural Economic Development
Inspired by one of the world’s leading approaches to economic development, Catholic Charities supports rural communities in Missouri by engaging the very people in those communities.
Catholic Charities partners with the Diocesan Human Rights Office, concerned citizens, and civic and faith leaders, to tap into the passion, determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness of these citizens, to support future prosperity of rural communities.
Contact:
Martin Goedken, Director – Northwest Missouri Office
816-232-2885 or 1-888-629-2886
We support, advocate and provide leadership for economic development in rural Missouri communities through many unique initiatives.
- Development of Sparks of Hope, an advocacy organization which actively seeks and encourages collaborations to positively shape the future of rural communities.
- Implementation of Enterprise Facilitation, a person-centered approach to community and economic development; provide free, confidential business management and networking consultation to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
- Ethanol and BioDiesel Cooperatives in which Catholic Charities provided seed monies to farmers and community leaders to assist in funding feasibility studies and business plans for ethanol and biodiesel facilities.
- Local, state and national leadership and advocacy for rural and agricultural justice issues.
Healthy Lifestyles
Supporting our fellow neighbors in living a healthy lifestyle is a worthwhile and integral means for building healthy, strong communities.
Healthy Lifestyles is a program of Catholic Charities funded by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City. It’s our way of giving access to potential life-saving health screenings to at-risk individuals such as the elderly and those with little financial resources.
Our nurse case managers visit eleven food pantry and nutrition sites throughout greater Kansas City to conduct blood pressure, height and weight checks, and diabetes screenings/assessments. Additionally, the program provides nutrition education, healthy lifestyle tips, and referrals. Short-term health-related case management is also offered.
Contact:
Amy Moran, RN
816.838.9946
Project Rise
Project Rise, an initiative of Catholic Charities, provides at-risk young people valuable educational and work experience. The program, funded by the Social Innovation Fund and the United Way, provides young adults options to explore careers and professional development opportunities through internships. Following the internship, participants are placed in unsubsidized jobs or educational training programs to receive further mentoring.
Candidates for participation must:
· be between 18 -24 years old
· have no high school diploma or G.E.D.
· not currently be employed or in school
· live in Jackson County, Missouri
Participants in Project Rise will be eligible for:
· paid internships
· job mentoring
· job training opportunities
· assistance with G.E.D.
· enrollment at Penn Valley Community College
Contact:
Lynn Youngblood
816.659.8281
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