Catholic Schools Partner with Catholic Charities to Serve Community
Catholic Schools Partner with Catholic Charities to Serve Immigrant Communities
Last year, students at St. Gertrude School were hard at work creating welcome cards for Afghan refugees as part of a partnership between Catholic schools and Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio (CCSWO). This initiative is just one example of the impactful work being done by Catholic schools to raise awareness and support immigrant communities in Ohio.
Mary Anne Bressler, Parish and Community Engagement Coordinator at CCSWO, and her team have been visiting Catholic schools to educate students on the needs of immigrants in Ohio. Schools such as Mercy McCauley High School, St. Ursula Academy, McNicholas High School, and St. Gertrude School have all participated in these presentations, inspiring students to take action and make a difference.
One success story of this partnership is the Su Casa Hispanic Center in Cincinnati, which now benefits from the support of summer interns who were once students themselves. The center provides a wide range of services to the Latino and immigrant communities of Cincinnati, including case management, family reunification, health promotion, and educational services.
Students from schools like St. Xavier High School, St. Ursula Academy, Moeller High School, and Mount Notre Dame High School volunteer at Su Casa, providing tutoring, childcare, and other forms of assistance. Additionally, partnerships with universities like Miami University, Xavier University, and the University of Cincinnati offer online Spanish service learning courses and tutoring to further support the center’s mission.
Teresa Davis, a theology teacher and Community Engagement Director at McNicholas High School, emphasized the importance of applying classroom learning to real-world situations. She praised CCSWO for their support in leading students in community service activities, such as volunteering at local pantries, schools, and tutoring programs.
Immigration lawyers have also been involved in educating students on immigration and refugee issues, providing personal stories that make the learning experience more engaging. Bressler and Davis have worked together to inspire students to get involved with Su Casa, charity work, and other community service initiatives.
As the new school year approaches, CCSWO is inviting schools to participate in service activities through four categories: Learn, Pray, Share, and Give. Schools that actively engage in each category will be recognized as Catholic Charities Champions, highlighting their commitment to serving immigrant communities.
The impact of these partnerships between Catholic schools and Catholic Charities is clear, as students learn valuable lessons in compassion, empathy, and service to others. By actively engaging with immigrant communities and supporting organizations like Su Casa, students are making a difference in the lives of those in need.
To learn more about how Catholic schools are partnering with Catholic Charities to serve immigrant communities, check out the August 2022 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine.