CCNLA Rises to Meet COVID-19 Challenge

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana Rises To Meet COVID-19 Challenge By Christa Swanson details will be given as we get closer to the event.

We are so grateful to our donors for helping us reach out to those in need. We received grants from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Louisiana and Catholic Charities USA to help with the increase of families that need assistance. These grants will help us with tangible assistance for our communities and to manage an increase in our case loads. We offer financial education – weekly financial literacy classes (Money School) - which pinpoints simple changes that make budgeting, saving, and improving credit scores achievable. Case managers provide tools, support, and guidance through individual financial counseling sessions as well. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana also offers emergency assistance – tangible help with basic needs (rent and utilities) - so that families can stay in their homes with their electricity and water in working order. It’s important to note that although there is currently a restriction on evictions and turning

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. Another service we offer to families in need is through It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has Gabriels’ Closet. Our volunteer run program offers welleyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the baby care and parenting skills classes, where new, low-income sighs and sorrows of men. “That is what love looks like” by St. parents earn merits to “purchase” baby items. Our free classes Augustine of Hippo seems relevant in times where more are include prenatal and infant care, breast feeding, parenting, struggling and ill than many have seen in their lifetime. We are school readiness, and more. Gabriels’ Closet has many baby called when there is need to see it and come together to help essentials including pack ‘n play cribs, baby beds, high chairs, each other. To show love in all things. car seats, strollers, walkers and more, as well as a large selection

This month has been a trying time for everyone in of gently-used or brand-new clothing. We also offer diapers, Louisiana. Many have fallen ill and many lives have been ointments, bottles, pacifiers and other needed baby items. disrupted by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The closures CCNLA also offers assistance with completing applications for and illness have greatly affected many families, some forever. SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program – formerly 30.3 million Americans have applied for unemployment in the the Food Stamp Program) as well as other programs that help last six weeks due to the restrictions necessary to mitigate the families, including, FITAP—Family Independence Temporary spread of COVID-19. Many more are not eligible for those Assistance, CCAP-Child Care Assistance Program, and the benefits, but find themselves out of work. This leaves families KCSP-Kinship Care Subsidiary Program. in a precarious position as they try to afford necessities while Our focus throughout each of our programs is strengthening struggling with financial insecurity. The virus has hit populations the family unit and preserving an individual’s dignity in that serve on the front lines in service roles harder than most, accordance with Catholic Social Teachings and professional leaving many with a hard choice between safety and income. standards. The goal of our programs is to provide assistance,

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana is committed to resources, and education for our clients while working to serving those in need and assisting with the hardships our empower them to create long-term changes that will lead to communities are facing. We have continued to work over the greater stability and independence. We will continue to work phone and through email to take requests for assistance and with the communities of North Louisiana to help meet the have rearranged the way our offices work so that we may safely needs of those in crisis. see those who need to walk in once the restrictions lift. Our Catholic Charities is a well-respected nonprofit in North Operations Coordinator, Joe Bulger, is also converting our forms Louisiana. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana has been so they be submitted digitally which will increase the speed and awarded a Gold Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. Our goal ease of the intake process for those that feel uncomfortable, is to continue to be of service to families and individuals while or are unable, to come in. The upcoming Bingo on the Bayou teaching and enriching lives. event will still happen, and we will be converting it to an online If you would like to find out how to support CCNLA or event so that everyone can still participate in the fun safely. More become a volunteer, please visit www.ccnla.org.

off utilities, those will still be due when the restrictions lift. 18 THE CATHOLIC CONNECTION