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Summer Fun at Camp Rainbow

“Camp Rainbow” is a longstanding summer initiative of St. Edmond’s Home that provides activities, outdoor games, and special events tailored to the varied needs and abilities of its campers. Located in Rosemont (Delaware County), this Catholic Social Services (CSS) ministry is an Intermediate Care Facility for children with severe and profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Loving and compassionate staff provide an exceptional range of services and quality care for medically fragile children and young adults ages 6 weeks to 21 years. Since 1997, Camp Rainbow has offered full day programming Monday through Friday not only St. Edmond’s residents but also children from the local community with similar disabilities. At the start of camp, each camper, counselor, and staff member are assigned to a group.  Each group has their own unique color and each participant receives a camp t-shirt in the color of their group. This summer, approximately 50 campers

By |2023-09-13T11:36:22-04:00September 13th, 2023|News|Comments Off on Summer Fun at Camp Rainbow

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

In 2021 Pope Francis instituted World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to celebrate the senior citizens in our lives. Our Holy Father said that the elderly are, “the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young.” Each year, this occasion is marked on the fourth Sunday in July as a way to honor the feast day of Jesus’ grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne. For the third annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Archbishop Pérez released a video message as part of the celebration this year. The Archbishop said, “Today we celebrate our grandparents and the senior citizens in our lives. They have many gifts and great wisdom to share and are bountiful sources of strength, support, and hope.”   Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CHCS) provides support and services to older adults everyday

By |2023-08-04T13:10:58-04:00August 3rd, 2023|News|Comments Off on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Support for Newcomers at Catholic Social Services

In late June, members of Catholic Social Services (CSS) celebrated World Refugee Day by attending "Our America Now: A Celebration of World Refugee Day," a festival experience that highlights the remarkable contributions of refugees and the supportive families who stand by them. Through live music, dance, dance lessons, storytelling, videos, and interactive art installations, the Greater Philadelphia community learned how the city welcomes refugees into the country and helps them make the difficult transition to their new home while providing opportunities to build a life through culture, stories, art, and music. This event was in partnership with Welcome.US, a national initiative built to inspire, mobilize, and empower Americans from all corners of the country to welcome and support people seeking refuge in the United States and help them thrive. CSS provides refugee assistance for newcomers from other countries emigrating to the United States and to the Philadelphia region. This spring, Most

By |2023-07-10T10:36:28-04:00July 10th, 2023|Uncategorized, News|Comments Off on Support for Newcomers at Catholic Social Services

Fighting food insecurity at Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm

During the COVID-19 pandemic, households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received an additional payment at the end of each month to provide extra help in purchasing food. In September 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services recorded 1.88 million Pennsylvanians are on SNAP, with children representing over 30% of the total. Due to recent nationwide benefit changes, SNAP households will no longer receive the additional payment. With this change, households are set to lose a minimum of $95 a month in benefits with a statewide average impact of $181 per household. During this time of increased food costs, even a minor cut in benefits will be difficult for Montgomery County residents who rely on these funds to feed themselves and their families. Food pantries play a critical role in helping those facing food insecurity and lack of access to nutritious food. Montgomery County recently presented a $500,000

By |2023-05-25T13:02:53-04:00May 25th, 2023|News|Comments Off on Fighting food insecurity at Martha’s Choice Marketplace and Community Farm

Transitional Foster Care: Meeting the Need

Transitional Foster Care Recruiter, Iris Puhiera was recently interviewed on Philadelphia’s La Mega, Philadelphia’s #1 Spanish Speaking station. Ms. Puhiera discussed the Transitional Foster Care program and shed some light on the needs of unaccompanied minors fleeing to the United States. Each day, hundreds of children seek refuge in the United States.  In 2021, a record 122,000 unaccompanied migrant children fled to the US. (Source) These unaccompanied minors are escaping poverty, violence, and exploitation.  They make impossible treks across thousands of miles with few, if any possessions, seeking safety and opportunity in America. Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is one of the largest providers of social services in the state of Pennsylvania. CSS serves tens of thousands of individuals each year through programs that help homeless men and women, pregnant moms, individuals with intellectual disabilities, senior citizens and more. Catholic Social Services is responding to the needs

By |2022-07-01T17:13:05-04:00July 5th, 2022|Foster Care, News, News & Updates|Comments Off on Transitional Foster Care: Meeting the Need

Oral Statement of Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez

I am deeply grateful to the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States for their willingness to hear this matter and for their ultimate opinion. Today’s decision from our Nation’s highest court is a profound one that rings loudly in Philadelphia and reverberates throughout the Country. It brings light and relief for children in need of loving homes and for the heroic foster parents who open their hearts and doors to care for them. The ruling issued today is also a crystal clear affirmation of First Amendment rights for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all charitable ministries in the United States who are inspired by their faith to serve the most vulnerable among us. I was recently asked if today was one of victory and for celebration. It’s certainly a victory for children in need and it’s fitting for us to celebrate the example of foster parents who

By |2021-06-17T19:35:53-04:00June 17th, 2021|News|Comments Off on Oral Statement of Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez
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