Chronicle SUMMER 2018
Four Walls and Some Lovingkindness “Home is the nicest word there is.” - Laura Ingalls Wilder
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n Little House on the Prairie, the love within the walls of a log cabin mean comfort and security to the newly-settled Wilder family. Four walls and a roof provide physical shelter and emotional comfort–elements that, along with food and clothing, are essential for a healthy, stable life. Providing basic necessities to live a life with dignity is a core value of CCC. To embrace this more fully, CCC has established a separate corporate entity, Commonwealth Catholic Charities Housing Corporation, Inc., to provide affordable housing and housing-related services within the Catholic Diocese of Richmond.
“Staff's daily interactions with homeless individuals at our Housing Resource Center in Richmond make us keenly aware of the need for and challenges associated with locating housing," said Joanne Nattrass, CCC executive director. “Our five-year strategic plan included the formation of a housing corporation to focus on the development of affordable housing throughout the Diocese." “Those experiencing homelessness have some of the biggest challenges,” says Jay Brown, CCC’s division director of housing services. “Without a stable place to call home, routine tasks like preparing meals, getting ready for work, or following medication regimens are that much more difficult. Safe housing is essential to one's health and well-being.”
The Housing Corporation already has several projects in the pipeline. “We’re looking at housing types across the spectrum,” said Brown. “The housing needs of our clients are as diverse as the communities we serve, so whether its creating additional homeownership opportunities for low-income homebuyers, helping senior citizens age in place, preserving affordable units, or developing new multi-family or mixed-use facilities, we want to make sure the people we serve have access to safe and affordable housing that meets their needs and helps them achieve their goals." Whether a cabin in the wilderness or a one-bedroom apartment, a place to call your own as home provides immeasurable wellbeing and, it is, as Wilder said, the nicest word there is.
2018 Housing Corporation Board of Directors
Rosann Bocciarelli, Joseph Boisineau, James P. Carreras, Jim DePasquale, Scott Horchler, Paul Sinclair, Joanne D. Nattrass, ex officio
www.cccofva.org • Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.
Home with a Forever Family
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hy adopt a child from another country when there are so many children in the U.S. who need homes? Acquaintances often ask this question of families considering international adoption. It’s a valid question but the reality is that all adoption experiences are different. Each one is rich and peppered with details showing God’s hand molding and crafting each child to be placed with their forever family. Each family bringing home the child they longed for, prayed for, and fought for. Little Guy's Forever Family Little Guy, as he’s lovingly called, is currently in a Chinese orphanage waiting for his forever family with Billy and Laura Marshall.
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Little Guy faces numerous health challenges. To look at him, you would guess he is around nine-months-old but he is actually three-years-old. He was born with Down Syndrome and also has a mysterious illness that is delaying his development. Recently, the International Adoption Medical Specialist working for an expedited adoption asked if, knowing how sick Little Guy is and how hopeless his situation seems, would anything sway the Marshall's decision to adopt him?
own street) to scoop up a sick little boy who may only live a few years. The decision to adopt is a calling. Adoption is hard. Let me say that again. Adoption. Is. Hard. It’s emotional. It hurts. It pushes you to tears. But it's also amazing and beautiful. It makes you stronger. It fulfills a dream. Little Guy needs a family who is called to scoop him up. Billy and Laura are that family. God has called them to provide one thing to Little Guy: a forever family. Everything else, God will do. God will decide how long Little Guy will be here on Earth. Billy and Laura will make sure his time here is the most amazing it can be. Billy and Laura will cart him from one doctor after another because he's their Little Guy, chosen, worthy, and loved. Adoption. Is. Hard. It's an on-going, never-ending emotional roller coaster ride for the Marshalls. They’re up for it. Why? Because they know that Little Guy deserves what every human being deserves: a chance.
“No,” they both responded, knowing the uphill climb they face. So why would any family put themselves through that? Remember, no adoption is the same. Not just anyone would run to China (or any country, or even across their Written by Tami Hudson, CCC adoption and pregnancy case worker. To learn more about international and domestic adoptions through CCC, contact tami.hudson@cccofva.org or 804.545.5973.
Chapel Close to Completion Experience a Place of Peace and Comfort
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place for prayer, reflection, respite, and renewal is now open to all who visit and work at CCC’s Rolling Hills Office as the finishing touches are being made to a new chapel. Liturgical artist Ronald Neill Dixon designed the custom woodwork, furnishings, stained glass, and mosaic. The elegant simplicity of the chapel is conveyed through beautifully crafted maple wood furnishings and appointments, along with Italian smalti tiles used in the mosaics. The crucifix is an early 20th century antique restored by Dixon Studio and the Madonna and Child statue outside the chapel is a modern casting of a vintage statue. Details on the dedication and blessing of the chapel will be announced on our website and through social media this fall.
Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place... -Mark 6:31
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Christmas in July Norton Staff Golfs for Good
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he 10th Annual Christmas in July Golf Tournament was held at the Lonesome Pine Country Club in Big Stone Gap, Virginia on Friday, July 27.
Nearly 20 teams participated in the event. The proceeds will provide Christmas gifts to the hundreds of children in foster care through Wise County Social Services, Norton City Social Services, and Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Norton.
CCC's Jay Brown Honored Passion for Service Earns Brown Top 40 Network Award
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ay Brown, CCC division director of housing services, was recently recognized by the Virginia Housing Alliance, as a recipient of their Top 40 Network Award.
markets of the Commonwealth, more than doubled its operating budget, and significantly increased CCC's capacity to serve thousands of vulnerable individuals and families.
Top 40 Network Award recipients were recognized for demonstrating professional excellence in Virginia’s housing industry and leadership in innovation.
“Our team supports people across the Diocese of Richmond through a variety of housing services,” said Brown. “From street outreach to home purchase counseling and nearly everything in between, CCC assists low-income Virginians to identify, access, and maintain affordable housing.”
With Brown’s leadership of CCC’s Housing Division during the past five years, the agency has expanded services into four
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Tiffany Sanders, Wise County DSS Child Protective Services supervisor, and Cassandra Collins, CCC foster care clinical supervisor, stop for a quick picture while selling raffle tickets during the tournament.
Above: Heidi Callier, Mary Burke, Emmanuel LandaLee, Tami Hudson, and Kelly Lash in Richmond's Baby Clothes Closet. Below: Mary Burke
Emmanuel LandaLee
Scouting for Donations Eagle Scout Donates to CCC's Baby Clothes Closet
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manuel LandaLee, a 17-yearold Boy Scout working on his Eagle badge, recently chose CCC for his scout project.
Calling his project Scouting for Baby Clothes, LandaLee collected baby and toddler clothes and other items on CCC’s wish list. LandaLee gathered items from his family, friends, neighbors, and church members at Bathia United Methodist Church in Chesterfield where his Troop 282 meets. “The people at the church were so very giving," said LandaLee.
To raise money for additional items like diapers, bottles, and socks, LandaLee sold donuts and was pleasantly surprised by people's willingness to contribute to his cause. “At local businesses, people made donations and didn’t want the donuts,” LandaLee said. In the end, all of his efforts paid off and LandaLee collected enough baby clothes and supplies to fill an entire van.
our clients with some of the basics that they just can’t afford," said Tami Hudson, CCC pregnancy and adoptions case worker. Carrying boxes of supplies from the van, CCC volunteer Mary Burke, couldn’t stop smiling. “We can’t thank Emanuel enough. He’s helped so many people with his efforts," said Burke. "We can't wait to sort through this in the days to come!”
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Community Donations Add up and put the Sum in Summertime for CCC! "We have been blessed this year with a variety of donations," said Donald Miller, CCC development manager. Donations have come from individuals and businesses, children and adults, churches and civic groups, and have come in the form of grants, checks, cars, toys, toiletries, backpacks, books, clothes, blankets, and time.
what you can do to make a difference with CCC. • Be a mentor or tutor a foster care youth. • Phone lonely and isolated senior adults. • Help organize our baby clothes closet. • Donate needed items (Follow us on Facebook for immediate needs or check our Wish List: www.cccofva.org/wishlist.) Visit our website for more volunteer and giving opportunities. 6 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities
CCC Awarded $50,000 Grant Funds to Provide Mental Health Services for Refugees
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he Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation awarded $50,000 to CCC Resettlement Services in Hampton Roads. The grant enables CCC to begin a new program, Refugee Mental Health Support Services (RMHSS). "An expanded focus on mental health services is so important for long-term wellbeing," said Suheir Diyab, CCC resettlement supervisor, Hampton Roads. "With these funds we can help refugees heal. The individuals we work with have escaped unimaginable
circumstances in their home countries and have experienced trauma, violence, abuse, and neglect. They just want a normal life." RMHSS will engage with recently resettled adults and teens to help them process their experiences, foster healthy relationships, and seek counseling and other supportive services that will improve their physical and mental health. Advocacy and empowerment skills and interpretation will be provided as needed.
Christmas Starts with CCC
Enjoy this Christmas Season with a Victorian Twist
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o celebrate the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, CCC’s 2018 Holiday Festival of Music will feature a Victorian theme. Holiday Festival of Music is a beloved Richmond tradition marking the beginning of the holiday season. This elegant concert features period musical selections performed by the Richmond Symphony, all while surrounded by the beauty of the
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, reminiscent of historic English cathedrals. The funds raised by the concert benefit the services and programs that Commonwealth Catholic Charities provides to the most vulnerable members of our communities. Visit www.cccofva.org to get your tickets!
Art Exhibition View Classic Art from Richmond's Past
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elected works by Virginia artist and social reformer, Nora Houston (1883-1942), are currently exhibited at CCC’s Rolling Hills Office in Richmond. The works are on loan from the Nora Houston Foundation. Houston grew-up in Richmond and began studying art at age ten. She continued her studies in New York City and Paris. Upon returning to Richmond in 1909, she taught at the Art Club of Richmond. Houston was a leader in Richmond’s art community, a founding member of the Virginia League of Women Voters, and fought for laws to improve conditions for working women and children. During the 1930s Houston was president of the Catholic Woman’s Club in Richmond. The exhibit is on display through December of this year. For more information on how to plan your visit, go to www.cccofva.org/ Houston or call 804.285.5900.
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918 Harris Street Charlottesville, VA 22903 434.974.6880
1601 Rolling Hills Drive Richmond, VA 23229 804.285.5900
12284 Warwick Boulevard Suite 1-A Newport News, VA 23606 757.247.3600
511 West Grace Street Richmond, VA 23220 804.648.4177
1301 Colonial Avenue Norfolk, VA 23517 757.256.6272 507 Park Avenue SW Norton, VA 24273 276.679.1195 111 Perry Street Petersburg, VA 23803 804.733.6207
820 Campbell Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016 540.342.7561 541 Luck Avenue SW Suite 118 Roanoke, VA 24016 540.342.0411
www.cccofva.org
Holiday Festival of Music Featuring the Richmond Symphony
Tickets on sale now at cccofva.org/HFOM
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart November 26, 2018