Going forth -- with good blessings
Aug. 11—Bishop Mark Brennan raised the roof Wednesday afternoon at the Morgantown offices of Catholic Charities West Virginia.
Which isn't the first time that's happened here at CCWVa, as the organization is known.
The raising of the roof, that is.
Brennan, who leads the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, the state's Catholic diocese, was originally scheduled to tour and bless the facility in May 2021.
Mother Nature, however, had other plans.
A storm roared through, and the lashing winds it brought with it literally tore away part of the roof at Hazel's Hope in the former Ramada Inn on Scott Avenue — a human services hub and the new home to the local offices of the network in Wheeling.
What goes under the roof is what's important, Catholic Charities CEO Beth Zarate said.
Because, she said, that's the work that goes out to the community.
"We view this opportunity as much more than an office space, " she said.
"It's a chance to improve how nonprofits in Morgantown function, " she continued, "as well as an opportunity to influence a model of collaborative services that truly move people out of poverty."
As the war in Ukraine slogs on, CCWVa programs operating out of Hazel's House of Hope in a refugee resettlement and immigration division.
Case management services are also provided, along basic needs assistance, a child care center and service specifically addressing the particulars of parenting from newborn to the age of 3.
CCWVa has long been a presence in Morgantown, assisting with the revamped organization of Christian Help, in its early days here.
Zarate said she appreciates the ongoing collaboration with the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, Bartlett House, Hope Hill Sobering Center and Lauren's Wish Crisis Triage Center.
"The stronger our collaborations, the better our ability to serve our clients in a way that is lasting and meaningful, " she said.
Sara Lindsay, CCWVA's chief program officer, agreed.
"If a family can sense a genuine community-level effort to provide quality care from multiple angles, it can start to ease the chronic stress of poverty over time, " she said.
Info: https://catholiccharitieswv.org /
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