Parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington are involved in a vast array of charitable works. Catholic Charities seeks to be a partner with the Archdiocese of Washington parishes and schools to better serve our brothers and sisters in need. Catholic Charities serves parishes and schools in four ways:
Parish Service Program
The Parish Service Program (PSP) is designed to assist parish groups create or enhance ministries of service at the parish. This could be a wide variety of programs including but not limited to: Food pantries, substance abuse programs, ESOL classes, programs for those with different abilities, and ministry to the elderly. What are the needs in your parish? To find out how to work together with PSP click here.
Contact Parish Service Program
Parish Partners Program
The Parish Partners Program (PPP) works together with parish staff and volunteers to assist families seeking help through Archdiocese of Washington parishes. Parishes have always been seen as sources of help for all people, working each day to meet their community’s needs. The Parish Partners Program adds the expertise and services available through Catholic Charities to each parish’s efforts, connecting families and individuals with community and Catholic Charities programs.
Contact Parish Partners Program
Schools
Catechesis is an important part of what we do at Catholic Charities. Exposing students to the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching is the guiding principle for our youth outreach program.
There are a number of Catholic Charities programs that allow volunteers of all ages to participate. Opportunities include Coat Drives, SHARE Food Network, food drives, St. Maria’s Meals program, homeless shelter cleanups, and more. The holidays come with additional needs, and we welcome schools at this time and throughout the year. Our staff is happy to visit to area schools and work with faculty to help provide an interactive learning experience. We recognize students are not only the future but the present.
We also recognize that Catholic Charities can’t serve everyone in the entire Archdiocese, so we have a program that encourages parishioners to serve the needy in their own parish boundary (registered and non-registered parishioners). This is our Parish Service Program; however, there are ways that the youth can do this and serve the needy at your church doorstep. Whether it’s the religious education program, your parochial school, or your youth ministry program, we can help you build a social service component for your ministry with the school-aged students.
Volunteer with Catholic Charities
Substance Abuse Education and Services
Catholic Charities Outreach Department has a licensed Substance Abuse Prevention Professional who is available to work with parishes, schools and community groups through education, training, and as a resource towards recovery options.