Presenter & Author. Maria C. Pereira MSW LICSW. Chief Operating Officer - Catholic Social Services - Fall River Diocese.

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2 Presenter & Author Maria C. Pereira MSW LICSW Chief Operating Officer - Catholic Social Services - Fall River Diocese. MariaP@cssdioc.org Telephone:

3 CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES 3

4 Adoption Program Since 1924 Catholic Social Services has been providing Adoption Services in Southeastern Massachusetts and more recently Rhode Island. Domestic and International adoption services including home studies, information and referrals and adoptive parent trainings are provided by our skilled social workers. 4

Domestic and International adoption services including home studies, information

5 BASIC AND EMERGENCY NEEDS CSS provides basic and emergency needs to families and individuals with pressing needs: Food, utility and rental assistance, clothing, homelessness, and as needed financial assistance for things like medicine and other types of needs. 5

and rental assistance, clothing, homelessness, and as needed

6 BILINGUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS The CSS Bilingual Wellness program provides individualized advocacy for Portuguese adults, educating and informing them on prescriptions, health insurance, rights and responsibilities. The program deals with health service providers and primary phone calls, and empowering patients to access available resources and make occasional office visits. 6

7 The Central American Immigrant Worker Community Development program here at CSS is here to assist Central American Immigrant Workers with community development and organization, and issues with immigration and assimilation in to American Life. We cultivate partnerships with Organization Maya K iche and similar organizations and help organize immigrants and sponsor neighborhood meetings. 7

immigration and assimilation in to American Life.

8 COUNSELING PROGRAM Counseling services for individuals, families and couples provided by Masters level clinicians. Catholic Social Services providers internships and training for Boston University and Boston College Graduate Schools of Social Work. 8

Catholic Social Services providers internships and training

9 COMMUNITY ACTION FOR BETTER HOUSING (CABH) Community Action for Better Housing (CABH) was incorporated in 1995 when it began to work with residents in New Bedford's South End and South Central neighborhoods. Our goals, as clearly stated in our Mission Statement, were simple and straightforward: "activities which will [improve] housing for persons of limited financial means without regard to religious affiliation [and] the promotion of better community relations." To date, CABH has worked diligently with the City of New Bedford and the City of Fall River's Community Development Department in purchasing abandoned and blighted properties. To date, multiple buildings have been purchased with three structures being renovated into affordable multifamily housing, three properties were demolished, and a 6000 square foot corner lot conveyed to the city for use as a playground at Ruth and McGurk Streets. 9

Our goals, as clearly stated in our Mission Statement, were simple and straightforward: "activities which will [improve] housing for persons of limited financial means without regard to religious

10 HOUSING AND HOUSING RETENTION Our Housing and Housing Retention Programs are funded through Catholic Charities USA, and Fannie Mae. The "No Place Like Home" is a HUD-Certified housing counseling agency and is a Chapa Seal of Approval agency. The program offers housing counseling for both homeowners and renters alike, addressing foreclosures, pre-purchase counseling, credit counseling, and budget counseling. 10

The "No Place Like Home" is a HUD-Certified housing counseling agency and is a Chapa Seal of Approval

11 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING Donavan House Saint Clare Saint Mathieu Saint Francis 11

12 SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES CSS has a series of different residential, homeless services ranging in level from homeless shelters, transitional/temporary housing, and permanent housing. All our housing programs are full serviced programs, including case management, supervision, and consultation from all our other services when needed. 12

13 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - HOMELESS SHELTERS * THE SAMARITAN HOUSE * SISTER ROSE S HOUSE 13

14 Talbot Apartments 14

15 IMMIGRATION LAW EDUCATION & ADVOCACY PROJECT (ILEAP) ILEAP's mission is to provide low-cost, high-quality immigrationrelated legal services and educate communities in Southeastern Massachusetts concerning immigration law and policies. We provide free and low-cost legal services for low-income refugees and immigrants, including assistance with immigration documents, and legal representation before government agencies. We provide legal representation on family-based immigration matters including consular processing, adjustment of status, naturalization, family petitions, political asylum, TPS, VAWA, U-visas, and removal defense. We also present education workshops, trainings and conferences on current immigration trends and policies impacting immigrant communities in Southeastern Massachusetts. 15

We provide free and low-cost legal services for low-income refugees and immigrants, including assistance with immigration documents, and legal representation before government agencies.

16 Our Immigration Project Attorneys 16

17 The Office for Child Protection is responsible for ensuring the necessary safety and security for all children as they participate in church and religious activities. 17

18 OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD) provides advocacy, mediation, and resolution around basic needs, education and SPED (special education) law, ADA (American with Disabilities Act of 1990) law, and conflicts with state services for all-age persons with disabilities and their care takers. Additionally, we provide education, resources, training, and service referrals for clients with disabilities and disability issues. The OPD specializes in servicing marginalized clients with lack of services and a wide range of ages, disabilities, and functioning levels. In addition we specialize in IEP advocacy, turning-22 advocacy, and early intervention and assessment advocacy. We also have a breadth of knowledge of the services available to you. We provide help and assistance with SSI/SSDI applications and appeals. In addition we also provide workshops in areas regarding Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities. 18

Additionally, we provide education, resources, training, and service referrals for clients with disabilities and disability issues.

19 THE SOLANUS CASEY FOOD PANTRY The Solanus Casey Food Pantry is located in New Bedford, Massachusetts in our New Bedford Office and serves residents on the Southcoast, Massachusetts, including Bristol county. 19

our New Bedford Office and serves residents on the

20 Our Clothing Store 20

21 Children s Section 21

22 TOYS 22

23 SUSTAINABILITY OF PROGRAMS ADVOCACY PARTERNSHIP WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES FUNDRAISING NETWORKING FOUNDATIONS Building Non-Profit Capacity A Guide for Managing Change Through Organizational Life Cycle. By John Brothers 23

24 Portuguese Speaking Elder Groups In 2000, due to increase isolation of the Portuguese speaking elders, and since the senior centers of New Bedford and Fall River areas had no activities for our elders, Father John (Jack) Oliveira and I started social groups in three parishes, S. John, Mount Carmel in New Bedford and Santo Cristo in Fall River. Community Services are invited to present educational workshops to these groups to address their social and legal needs. 24

25 Elderly Programs 25

26 Intergeneration Teaching our Past to the Future 26

27 Going to the State House 27

28 Going Out and Having Fun 28

29 HAVING FUN 29

30 Party Time 30

31 OUR FUTURE Dartmouth High Portuguese Class IV

32 CONCLUSION CSS WORKS IN NETWORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO FILL THE GAP OF SERVICES NOT PROVIDED BY THOSE AGENCIES. ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IS OUR STRENGHT. CSS APPRECIATES THE EFFORTS OF THE AZOREAN GOVERNMENT IN HELPING US ADVOCATE FOR THE NEEDS OF THE AZOREAN COMMUNITY. 32

Community Engagement for Preservation Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation

Community Engagement for Preservation Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation Rhode Island Housing Page 1 of 3 Opting Out is Not an Option The preservation of our scarce inventory of affordable apartments has always been a priority for Rhode Island Housing. Faced with record-high