Rita has also volunteered at the Community Kitchen and Ladies of Charity, explaining that, “any work that helps one’s neighbor is a way to show one’s love for God.” THP residents enjoy Rita’s great conversation and company; they know they are lucky to have Rita’s support.

“Rita is what the gospel calls us to be. She is a true inspiration for everyone who knows her.” This description by her SFO community is certainly shared by all of us at Catholic Charities. Thank you, Rita, for living your faith by sharing your love and friendship with those who need it most!

More than 1,000 children and adults participated in an annual family-friendly festival and charity walk at Knoxville Catholic High School on April 21.

Star 102.1’s Frank Murphy was the master of ceremonies for the event and made shout-outs to the kids as they played on inflatables and participated in fun games. Girl Scout volunteers ran fun festival activities, such as a “cupcake” walk, and a children’s art exhibit featured shoe-themed art created by children from local Catholic schools.

“We were blessed with great weather this year and by the families who joined us for an afternoon of family fun to benefit a wonderful cause,” said Father Ragan Schriver, executive director of Catholic Charities. “We are so grateful for all the kids, parents and grandparents who helped support our Columbus Home kids with their attendance and sponsorship.”

Columbus Home Children’s Services provide a positive, stable environment for children and youth who are abused, neglected, abandoned or otherwise at-risk to help them achieve a better future. Through its four separate service programs, Columbus Home serves more than 1,000 at-risk children and youth each year.

Click the thumbnails below to view full-sized pictures from the Kids Walk.

Samaritan Place provides a safe home-like environment for homeless senior citizens. Through its emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing programs and intensive case management, Samaritan Place helps seniors develop long-term housing plans and remove barriers that could prevent them from remaining safely housed. A grant of $10,000 will help the program make improvements to its kitchen, where staff prepare three healthy meals each day.

A grant of $15,000 will assist the Office of Immigrant Services (OIS) as it helps improve the self-sufficiency for low-income immigrants in our community. East Tennessee’s only provider of low-cost immigration legal services recognized by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals, OIS offers citizenship education, naturalization preparation and community outreach.

For 40 years CCETN has addressed the unmet needs of the most vulnerable of our region by providing shelter, nourishment, counseling and education in order to foster human dignity. Last year it served nearly 28,000 individuals with fewer than 5 percent of clients being Catholic.

The St. Mary’s Legacy Foundation of East Tennessee was formed in 2011 to continue to provide support for the ministry begun by the Sisters of Mercy with the opening of St. Mary’s Hospital in 1930.  It was initially made possible through funds provided by the sale of Mercy Health Partners to Health Management Associates.

The Foundation seeks to assist the needy and vulnerable of East Tennessee by engaging in general charitable undertakings and endeavors, including but not limited to providing and supporting health care and health care education initiatives, counseling, shelter, nourishment, parochial and secondary education, spiritual education and enrichment, and undertaking other programs to relieve suffering and distress and to improve the human condition.

Click here to view.

Rachel’s Vineyard is conducting a 10 Week Healing & Recovery Program at John XXIII University Parish. It will be every Tuesday evening, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. from Feb. 19th to April 30, 2013.
Address: John XXIII University Parish 1710 Melrose Place, NULL 37916 Map
When: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
5:00pm – 8:00pm
Contact: Sandi Davidson
Email: sandiphc@ccetn.org
Phone: 865-776-4510

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Please join Bishop Richard Stika, Father Ragan Schriver and the Catholic Charities Advisory Council for The 27th Annual Catholic Charities Dinner.

RSVP by March 1

Place: The Knoxville Convention Center
Address: 701 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902 Map
When: Thursday, March 14, 2013
Reception 6pm ♦ Dinner 7 pm

Contact: Sherrie Shuler

Email: sherrie@ccetn.org
Phone: 865-524-9896

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Catholic Charities now offers counseling services by licensed therapists to anyone in the community via telephone (non-emergency calls only).  Services are confidential and provided on an income-based sliding fee scale. The first consultation and session is provided at no cost to the client. For more information call 877-790-6369 or visit the Therapeutic Counseling page.

Catholic Charities’ Office of Immigration co-sponsors the only Citizenship Preparation Class in East Tennessee.  Currently, classes are in Knoxville and Oak Ridge. We would like to branch out in other counties. In order to do so, volunteer teachers are needed to assist. We will provide teachers with training, orientation, and on-going support. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help in your area contact Nathaly Perez at 865-971-3550 or nathaly@ccetn.org for more information.

Feeding the Need!  Catholic Charities is seeing increased need among the children, families and vulnerable adults we serve. Food drives and grocery gift cards can help us meet their immediate nutritional needs while we work with them to achieve long-term stability. Please Click Here for a list of suggested items and contact information.

CHATTANOOGA:

Would your parish council, group or organization like to learn more about how Catholic Charities makes a difference for the poor and vulnerable in the greater Chattanooga area? Contact Christine Willingham at christine@ccetn.org or 423-267-1297 to schedule a speaker.

Coming in the Fall of 2013, Catholic Charities’ Office of Immigration Services, in collaboration with TIES (Tennessee Immigrant Empowerment Solutions), will be offering Citizenship Preparation Classes in the Chattanooga area. Classes will aid lawful permanent residents in preparing for the naturalization civics/history exam. The cost is $50 (text and study materials included). Time and location will be announced later.  Volunteer teachers are needed, no prior experience necessary. For more information or to sign-up, please call 423-622-7232 or e-mail tiesknoxville@gmail.com.

Catholic Charities offers confidential Therapeutic Counseling Services by licensed therapists. Services are provided on an income-based sliding fee scale and are available to anyone in the community. All counselors are FOCCUS pre-marital inventory certified.  Evening appointments are now available on Monday & Wednesday to 7 p.m.  Call Kathleen Hotton, NCC (423) 322-0057, for appointments or information, or visit the Therapeutic Counseling page.

Catholic Charities offers the following volunteer opportunities for those seeking to put their faith into action:

• Transport homebound seniors to medical appointments, help with phones, or gather and assemble toiletry kits for Interfaith Senior Services. Contact: Christine Willingham, 267-1297, christine@ccetn.org.

• Help prepare meals for and socialize with clients of The Home Place, a residential program for homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS. Contact: Krisie Long-Withey, 698-9079, krisie@ccetn.org.

• Greet visitors and answer phones Mondays through Fridays, various shifts available between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  Contact Christine Willingham at 267-1297 or christine@ccetn.org.

For a complete list of volunteer opportunities and client needs, visit our “Volunteer” page.

KNOXVILLE:

The Mobile Mexican Consulate, co-hosted by Catholic Charities, will be in Knoxville,  June 11-14, at All Saints Catholic Church (620 North Cedar Bluff Road).  Volunteers are needed daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to help with basic functions. Spanish-speakers preferred but not required.  For appointments call 1-877-639-4835; to volunteer contact Nathaly Perez at 971-3550 or nathaly@ccetn.org.

Would your parish council, group or organization like to learn more about how Catholic Charities makes a difference for the poor and vulnerable of East Tennessee? Contact Freddi Birdwell at freddi@ccetn.org or 865-684-1881 to schedule a speaker.

Time to head to the golf course for the 4th Annual Common Good Golf Classic presented by Covenant Health, June 17, Cherokee Country Club!  Treat 3 buddies to a day on the green, full brunch and hosted reception included; all proceeds benefit Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.  Sponsorships starting as low as $250 are still available.  Please contact Sherrie Shuler for more information:  524-9896 ext.1005 or sherrie@ccetn.org.

Catholic Charities offers confidential Therapeutic Counseling Services by licensed therapists. Services are provided on an income-based sliding fee scale and are available to anyone in the community. All therapists are FOCCUS certified for pre-marital sessions.  Call Catholic Charities’ office at 865-524-9896 to contact a counselor in your area, or visit the Therapeutic Counseling page.

Catholic Charities’ Office of Immigrant Services is co-hosting Citizenship Classes, Saturdays, April 13 through June 22, at Sacred Heart School, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ; cost is $50.  Teachers are also needed.  For more information contact Nathaly at (865) 971-3550.

Catholic Charities’ Children’s Emergency Shelter  Needs children’s bicycle helmets, adult diapers (Small and X-Small), copy paper and arts & craft supplies.  For specifics, contact Jackie at 865-544-0578 or jackie@ccetn.org.

For a complete list of volunteer opportunities and client needs, visit the “Wish Lists” page.

TRI-CITIES:

Would your parish council, group or organization like to learn more about how Catholic Charities makes a difference for the poor and vulnerable of East Tennessee? Contact Freddi Birdwell at freddi@ccetn.org or 865-684-1881 to schedule a speaker.

Catholic Charities’ Tri-Cities Family Housing has a family in need of a vehicle capable of accommodating 4 car seats.  For more information contact Suzi at 631-0356 ext. 107 or suzi@ccetn.org.

Coming in the Fall of 2013, Catholic Charities’ Office of Immigration Services, in collaboration with TIES (Tennessee Immigrant Empowerment Solutions), will be offering Citizenship Preparation Classes in the Tri-Cities area. Classes will aid lawful permanent residents in preparing for the naturalization civics/history exam. The cost is $50 (text and study materials included). Time and location will be announced later.  Volunteer teachers are needed, no prior experience necessary. For more information or to sign-up, please call 423-631-0356 or e-mail tiesknoxville@gmail.com.

Catholic Charities now offers counseling services by licensed therapists to anyone in the community via telephone (non-emergency calls only).  Services are confidential and provided on an income-based sliding fee scale. The first consultation and session is provided at no cost to the client. For more information call 877-790-6369.

The Mobile Mexican Consulate, co-hosted by Catholic Charities, will be in Knoxville,  June 11-14, at All Saints Catholic Church (620 North Cedar Bluff Road).  Volunteers are needed daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to help with basic functions. Spanish-speakers preferred but not required.  For appointments call 1-877-639-4835; to volunteer contact Nathaly Perez at 971-3550 or nathaly@ccetn.org.

HONORED GUEST
Monsignor Al Humbrecht

HOSTED BY
Most Reverend Richard Stika, Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville and Reverend Ragan Schriver, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee

Place: The Chattanooga Convention Center
Address: 1150 Carter Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 Map
When: Thursday, April 25, 2013
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Contact: Christine Willingham
Email: christine@ccetn.org
Phone: 423-267-1297

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