In 2014, Saint Charles Borromeo and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes in Bucks County merged at the Saint Charles Borromeo location.
Following, Our Lady of Fatima Church became the Fatima Catholic Outreach Center, a social services ministry with a focus on serving the Hispanic communities of Lower Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia. The center was initially a collaborative project of Catholic Social Services (CSS) and Saint Mary Medical Center.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, services at the center were suspended in April 2020. In September 2020 the doors reopened, this time under a new partnership between CSS and Saint Charles Borromeo Parish.
Modes of support at the site include social work, community immigration resources, accompaniment, domestic violence advocacy, seasonal English as a second language (ESL) classes, and interpretation services. Additional programs include gardening and arts programs, financial education, immigration legal services, citizenship classes, and meals for those experiencing homelessness.
“We at the Fatima Center are grateful for the opportunity Father Philip Forlano (Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish) has given us to assist the entire community with programs and services for everyone in the area,” said Estela Reyes-Bugg, Administrator of CSS’ Volunteer and Parish Community Relations. “It has been a great partnership that we hope and pray will continue as we work together to serve God’s people.”
Due to serving a large Latino population in the area, CSS identified the need for ESL classes at the site in 2014. Ten years later, the program is as strong as ever and growing.
“In March of 2023 we increased the number of students and added two more classes due to the increasing arrivals and individuals in need of learning English,” Reyes-Bugg noted.
Classes range from 12 to 18 weeks and are offered twice a week 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
During registration, students are given an orientation about the program including requisites and responsibilities. A listening and general placement test are given to all participants. According to the results, students are placed in one of three class levels designed to help them according to their comfort levels with English.
“We currently have about 45 students in three levels and added another 19 for two additional levels at the end of January,” Reyes-Bugg added. “We serve a lot of newcomers from South and Central America.”
Over 55% of the people served at the outreach center hail from Ecuador, with the remaining 45% coming from countries such as Mexico, Columbia, Santo Domingo, and Guatemala.
ESL students are taught by volunteer instructors who are trained by center administrators within the context of a standard curriculum.
Although the classes come at a cost, students are given other opportunities to earn credit and take the courses. Students are given the option to “finance” the classes by providing community service at the Saint Charles Borromeo Thrift Store or the center itself.
“We are so grateful to the volunteer instructors who are willing to give their talent and time. The Fatima Catholic Outreach Center is always in need of volunteers for our ESL classes and other ministries and programs,” said Reyes-Bugg.
To learn more please contact Estela Bugg at ebugg@chs-adphila.org or Jacquie Padua, Assistant Administrator at jpadua@chs-adphila.org.
