In 2012, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas began a shift away from one-time, crisis intervention programs towards self-sustainability by offering long-term wrap-around services. While Catholic Charities will always provide food, clothing and hope to all those served, this long-term approach sought to move people from crisis situations to sustainable hope for the future.
Today, Catholic Charities is poised to take a major step in realizing this goal.
Since the name Emergency Assistance Center no longer reflects Catholic Charities’ focus on holistic models of service for our brothers and sisters, input was sought from managers, senior staff, program staff and volunteers over the course of several months. Together, they recommended re-naming Catholic Charities’ seven sites to Family Support Centers.
There has been discussion about the use of the word family, and how it might be perceived from the point of view of an individual. The word family implies the call of Catholic Charities to serve the one human family.
“I am grateful for the continued work to serve the poor within our Family Support Centers,” says Lauren Solidum, President and CEO. “The Family Support staff is excited about the future of each site and continues to fully support moving from an emergency one-time assistance model towards holistic solutions that will truly transform lives.”
Each of the Family Support Centers will be hosting an open house throughout the month of August. The public is invited to attend, meet staff and learn more about the full continuum of services offered.
Overland Park | August 21, 2019 2-4PM
Atchison | August 23, 2019 1-3 PM
Lawrence | August 26, 2019 2-4 PM
Leavenworth | August 27, 2019 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Topeka | August 28, 2019 2-4PM
Olathe | August 29, 2019 1-3PM
Kansas City, KS | August 30, 2019 10AM-Noon
To learn more about Family Support Centers and their locations, visit online at:
https://catholiccharitiesks.org/family-support-centers/
“It is not enough to offer someone a sandwich unless it is accompanied by the possibility of learning how to stand on one’s own two feet. Charity that leaves the poor person as he is, is not sufficient. True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer.” — Pope Francis
“Choose LIFE” Kansas license plates available through end of year