The Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania is pleased to announce twelve Catholic Social Ministry grants totaling $77,300 were awarded to support ten projects during its summer grant cycle. Grants are awarded in this area to ministries and projects that embrace and align with Catholic social teaching and are answering the Gospel call to respond to needs within the community.
Catholic Community Services of Northwestern PA, formerly Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoption Services, serves clients throughout the Diocese of Erie. They received both a Catholic Social Ministry grant and a Robert M. Gallivan Charitable grant to support their Bridge Forward program. This program provides assistance to those who experience temporary financial crisis. “Thousands of women and families in the Diocese of Erie are working hard to raise their children and live their lives. They are the backbone of our local economy, managing their family paycheck to paycheck,” Dawn Joy, CEO, wrote in her application. “A temporary and unexpected setback can often set off a series of destabilizing events, resulting in chronic instability for these women and their families. The purpose of this Bridge Forward Initiative is to create a sustainable process for delivering targeted intervention at the precise moment when help matters most, and prevent more complex problems.”
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, Inc. received three grants supporting two projects. The first project is an emergency shelter program, which will provide families in need with hotel room or rent assistance to avoid eviction. Catholic Charities was awarded both a Catholic Social Ministry grant and the first Toohey Family Endowment grant for this project. They were also awarded a second Catholic Social Ministry grant to support holding a conference on serving the poor in accord with Church teaching. “The goal is to equip those in parish ministry to perform the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and to give preferential option to the poor and vulnerable through Christian encounter,” Liz Slaby, Director of the Office of Social Justice and Life, wrote in her application.
Anawim Ministries in Frenchville is a grassroots ministry dedicated to serving individual and families whose needs are not met through traditional resources. Their grant will support the Life Line Pregnancy and Infant Services as well as Direct Service ministries. “Funds will help provide diapers, infant formula, clothing, transportation, emergency household necessities, accessibility projects, and other critical support,” Lisa McSkimming, Retreat Program Director, wrote in her application. “This project fulfills our mission of Meeting Unmet Needs by responding quickly and compassionately to gaps in services, restoring hope, dignity, and stability for those we serve.”
Maria House Project in Erie is a drug and alcohol counseling and recovery facility for men. They also house men released from correctional facilities that need a new way of life. Their grant will support the purchase of a variety of items which will provide for the physical, educational, and spiritual needs of the men in their care.
Prince of Peace Center in Farrell has a mission to strengthen families, build community, and reduce poverty. Their Robert M. Gallivan Charitable Endowment grant will support the Q Academy program, which provides mentoring and educational support for young men in grades 7-12 who lack the presence and influence of a father figure in their home.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network in Erie has a mission to provide leadership and advocacy for residents while building partnerships with the broader community to develop opportunities for both personal growth and neighborhood revitalization. Their grant will support the purchase of equipment and supplies to enhance their urban agriculture project sites and farmers’ market.
Three parishes also received grants to do various outreach in their local communities. Saint Joseph Parish in Warren received a grant to purchase new tables, chairs, and serving equipment for their soup kitchen to return their meals to a sit-down service. Saint Eulalia Parish in Coudersport is a first-time grant recipient and will use their grant to support purchasing supplies for their maternity closet. Finally, Saint James Parish in Erie received a grant to support their Outreach Committee in making and serving meals to those in need in their community.
Click below for full list of grantees.
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The Catholic Foundation has been blessed by generous donors who give with their heart in support of the mission of the Catholic Church now and forever. Thanks to these committed Catholics, the Foundation manages over 150 funds that provide grants and distributions to parishes, schools, and Catholic ministries in northwest Pennsylvania. These Catholic Foundation competitive grants are made possible through our Catholic Social Ministry Endowment, Robert M. Gallivan Charitable Endowment, and Toohey Family Endowment. Donations in any amount designated for these endowments increase our capacity to award grants for impactful Catholic social ministry initiatives throughout northwest Pennsylvania today and for future generations.