Catholic Charities Bulletin Messages April 30-May 1 through Sept. 3-4, 2016

April 30-May 1 Mother’s Day gift tip: Tickets to the fabulous Forte Tenors concert June 30 at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo. Your mother will thank you for a great evening and you will help the 2016 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities! Presented by LP Ciminelli and an anonymous donor, all proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Catholic Charities. Forte has quickly established itself as the hottest new crossover sensation and the most successful group to be launched from the reality series America’s Got Talent. Find out more and purchase tickets at kleinhansbuffalo.org. There is even a special meet and greet VIP ticket opportunity. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. Check us out at ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

May 7-8 Remember the 24th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive will occur on Saturday, May 14. Catholic Charities’ eight food pantries in Erie, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties will be among the local pantries to benefit from the bag(s) of non-perishable foods you leave for your mail carrier to pick up next Saturday. And, Happy Mother’s Day! A special word of appreciation to mothers for all you do to nurture and care for your children. Don’t forget to slow down and take care of yourself throughout the year. Remember, Catholic Charities can help with counseling, parenting skills and other programs geared to families. For more information, contact your local office of Catholic Charities, call (716) 856-4494 to find a location nearest you, or go to ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

May 14-15 Appeal 2016 has not met its goal. Our deadline is June 30. Please help us to Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. Finding good within involves opening our hearts and finding generosity within ourselves to give. Please help us to complete our goal so that Catholic Charities can continue to help people across Western New York find ways to empower their lives and build a better community. To donate today, or for more information, visit ccwny.org or call (716) 218-1400, or place your 2016 gift or pledge in the offering. Check us out at ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

May 21-22 Do you find yourself anxious, sad, or feeling “empty”? May is Mental Health Month. Don’t disregard how you feel. Those symptoms could be signs of clinical depression, which impacts more than 15 million Americans each year. Catholic Charities Monsignor Carr Institute offers comprehensive mental health and chemical dependency treatment outpatient services in Erie County, plus three clinics in Niagara County dedicated to the mental health treatment of children ages three through 18, and their families. In all eight counties, Catholic Charities also offers professional counseling in our local offices. Work toward the path to whole health. For more information, look for Counseling and Mental Health in our Services list at ccwny.org or call (716) 218-1400. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Appeal 2016 deadline: June 30. Find Good Within.

May 28-29 Would you like to make a difference in the life of a student? Catholic Charities’ Foster Grandparent Program allows for income-eligible individuals ages 55 and older to be role models, mentors and friends to children with exceptional needs in a school setting. It also provides a way for volunteers to stay active by serving children and youth in the community. At schools throughout Erie County, Foster Grandparents provide a consistent model for children who welcome a loving hand. Now is the time to be ready for the opening of the 2016-2017 school year; contact us today. For more information call (716) 896-6388 or go to ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Appeal 2016 deadline: June 30. Find Good Within. —OR, for areas outside Erie County— It’s Memorial Day – Let’s observe this day remembering, reflecting and being thankful for all who died in service to our country. They selflessly gave of themselves. At Catholic Charities, we too are thankful for their sacrifice and join you in marking this annual day of reflection. For information on our services, including those that support our veterans and anyone who has served in the military, please call (716) 856-4494 or go to www.ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Appeal 2016 deadline: June 30. Find Good Within.

June 4-5 Love, nurture and a safe home. Are you ready to offer these and more? It is all some children want but may not find. Catholic Charities is working to help their dreams come true. To learn more about opening your heart and home as a foster family, attend the next informational session for prospective foster and adoptive parents in Erie County on June 14 at 525 Washington St., Buffalo. For times, more information and to register, please call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360, or email [email protected]. For more about foster care, go to ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Appeal 2016 deadline: June 30. Find Good Within.

June 11-12 Do you have your tickets for a great evening of song yet? The Forte Tenors concert at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo to benefit Catholic Charities is Thursday, June 30. It’s a terrific Father’s Day gift idea, too. Presented by LP Ciminelli and an anonymous donor, all proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Catholic Charities. Forte has quickly established itself as the hottest new crossover sensation and the most successful group to be launched from the reality series America’s Got Talent. There is even a special meet and greet VIP ticket opportunity. Find out more and purchase tickets at kleinhansbuffalo.org. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. Check us out at ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

June 18-19 Happy Father’s Day! During this special weekend, let’s be thankful for a father’s leadership and love. And, Catholic Charities can help if you’re feeling overwhelmed in your role. Call one of our local offices or (716) 856-4494 to meet with a professional staff member if you find yourself in need of emergency assistance, counseling or any of our services. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. Appeal 2016 deadline: June 30. Check us out at ccwny.org. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

June 25-26 Last chance to give or pledge to Appeal 2016! Bishop Malone will announce the 2016 total, hopefully achieving the $11 million goal, on June 30 during the Forte Tenors concert at Kleinhans Music Hall. The amount raised will go toward helping the nearly 132,000 people across Western New York. For 92 years, Catholic Charities has been making a difference for people of every faith and ethnicity. Catholic Charities empowers children, families and seniors to achieve meaningful, healthy and productive lives. Every donation will make a difference in someone’s life. Find Good Within. Open hearts follow Jesus’ lead. Please donate to the 2016 Appeal today. Visit ccwny.org or call (716) 218-1400. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

July 2-3 Thank you, faithful Appeal donors and volunteers! We are so appreciative of our donors and volunteers who contributed generously to the 2016 Appeal in support of Catholic Charities, pushing us to meet the $11 million goal. You found good within, which will allow Catholic Charities to continue to serve our neighbors in Jesus’ name. Learn more about what we have to offer those in need by visiting ccwny.org or calling (716) 218-1400. Also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

July 9-10 Do you have room in your heart to help a child in need? Learn more about the joys and responsibilities of foster parenting at an information session scheduled for July 12. Other sessions will be held on Aug. 9, Sept.13 and Oct. 11. Find out how you can make a difference in the life of a child on a temporary basis. Children are provided financial support, a clothing allowance and medical coverage. For times, more information and to register for an intro session, please call (716) 856-4494 ext. 360, or email [email protected]. For more about foster care, go to ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

July 16-17 Keeping the children’s best interests a top priority is not always easy in the turmoil of divorce and separation. Parents can learn how to develop a “professional” relationship with their co- parent for the benefit of the children – and oneself. Our Kids: Parent Education and Awareness programs, offered in the eight counties of the Diocese, are designed for any parents who have experienced conflict regarding custody and/or visitation issues. For details, call your local Catholic Charities office or (716) 896-6390. Check us out at ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

July 23-24 A recent study revealed that four out of five Americans will face poverty in their lifetime, which is no longer limited to race, age or location. Here across Western New York we work to reduce poverty and help those in need through basic/emergency assistance, counseling, education and job readiness services. For more information about these services, call (716) 856-4494, and office near you, or go to www.ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

July 30-31 Serving older adults in seven WNY counties. Catholic Charities strives to assist the community through various stages of a person’s life, including as an older adult. There is the seven-county Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative offering education and resources, Project HOPE for care coordination, telephone assurance programs, friendly visitor programs, A Gathering Place in Buffalo with weekday socialization for adults age 60 and older, and the Foster Grandparent Program offering eligible seniors the chance to work with young students. For more information about which services are offered in your area, call (716) 896-6388 or your local office. For more details on other adult programs or any of our services, visit ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Aug. 5-6 Knowledge is power, and now is the time to work on a brighter future. Catholic Charities Education and Workforce programs offers High School Equivalency test preparation and job readiness services to Erie County adults ages 16 and older. At Catholic Charities, after receiving an educational/career assessment, students attend small classes and a counselor works with each student on job readiness skills, leadership training and potential college placement. For more information, call (716) 893-3500 or visit our website, ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. -- OR outside Erie County: -- Catholic Charities is social! Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/ccbuffalo, Twitter at twitter.com/ccbuffalo and YouTube at youtube.com/ccbuffalo. These are great ways to quickly keep up with Catholic Charities, the most comprehensive human service agency serving all of Western New York. We share photos, videos, news and more – and want you to be a part of it! Follow us, comment and let us know what you think. Don’t forget about our user-friendly website where you can find details about all of our locations and services at ccwny.org.

Aug. 12-13 A network of caring … When you call on Catholic Charities, you connect to a wealth of support. From professional counseling, mental health assessments, senior support, troubled teen programs, parenting to education and work readiness programs and more, we’ll respond with goals to grow stronger together. For more information call (716) 856-4494, or go to ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Aug. 19-20 Join the Ladies of Charity for the 16th Annual Dress for Less Style Show and Theme Basket Auction on Saturday, Sept. 24. Doors open at 11 a.m. at The Columns Banquets, 2221 Transit Road, Elma. Enjoy a lovely luncheon, terrific styles and great prizes! Tickets are available now. Call (716) 895-4001 for details and reservations. There are no stairs and parking is convenient! Check us out at ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Aug. 26-27 The Marriage Counseling Center of Catholic Charities offers locations in Amherst and West Seneca and is a unique resource in Western New York because of its dedication to counseling couples for more than 50 years. Services are provided by master’s level therapists who specialize in couples’ treatment, pre-marital counseling and individual counseling for relationship problems. To refer a couple, simply give the interested party our phone number (716) 839-4406 and have them call our office between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. weekdays. Check us out at ccwny.org. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Sept. 3-4 Labor Day is this nation’s tribute to the contributions of American workers on our country. Not only do you work hard to help this country remain strong and prosperous, you also show compassion and generosity by returning a portion of that hard-earned money to help others in need through your support of Catholic Charities. Enjoy your Labor Day and accept our gratitude for your dedication and year-round support. Find us at ccwny.org or on facebook.com/ccbuffalo and twitter.com/ccbuffalo.