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CCRT: Catholic Community Response Team Our Area Church In Action. “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was a stranger and you made me welcome†(Mat. 25:35). Pontiac Area Vicariate Fall 2013. CCRT Mission.
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CCRT: Catholic Community Response TeamOur Area Church In Action “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was a stranger and you made me welcome” (Mat. 25:35) Pontiac Area Vicariate Fall 2013
CCRT Mission CCRT provides direct support and referral services to those in crisis need in a manner relative to the Gospel of Jesus.
When and Why was CCRT Formed? • Created in 2004 by the Pastoral Ministers Association as response from the Vicariate to several factors: • 2 different worlds in the Vicariate divided by I-75 • A relatively affluent population • A population living at or below poverty level • St Vincent de Paul (Pontiac) not able to respond to all requests • Need to coordinate responses from different parishes • Living out our commitment to solidarity
An overview of our Vicariate… People living at or below level of poverty* Auburn Hills 11.3% Pontiac 31.6% Rochester 5.0% Rochester Hills 7.8% Waterford 15.5% * 2010 data Federal poverty levels (2012): Family of four: $ 22,050 Individual: $ 10,294
Whom do we serve? • From July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, CCRT served 1853 different clients, most of them in an emergency situation • From July 2004 to July 2013, CCRT served 5358 different clients • We serve a very varied population: • Homeless people • People released from jail • People facing eviction and/or utility shut-off • People struggling with addictions • People with mental illnesses • People in need of clothing/food/furniture… • Most of the clients have either no income or an average monthly income (disability or work) between $ 600 and $ 900 – below the federal poverty level
Funding of CCRT for 2012 • Grant from Archdiocese: $ 15,000 • Support from the Vicariate Parishes: $ 10,000 • Both support the cost of staffing, administration and facilities for CCRT. • All other donations from parishes, agencies and individuals go directly to the support of clients • GAP support • Non designated donations • Fund raiser
10 year Gala Anniversary • “Hearts A Glow” – the 10 year Gala for CCRT • Date: March 1st. 2014 • Where : Notre Dame Prep – Pontiac Wine Tasting and Craft Beers with Strolling Dinner Silent Auctions Ticket Price $ 40.00
What do we do for our Clients? • We provide different kinds of Emergency Services regarding: • Food and clothing • Housing (rent payment, evictions, utility payments) etc. • Furniture and household goods • Toiletries • Identification documents • We provide help with legal issues for our clients through collaboration with legal aid • We provide a listening ear and guidance to our clients
What do we do for our clients?* * Data for year 2012
Organizational chart • 2 part time Staff members • We rely essentially on volunteers to: • Provide staffing help 5 days a week • To deliver food and clothing to CCRT every week • To pick up available furniture and deliver it directly to clients
The Relationship of CCRT with the Parishes of the Vicariate is a two way street: What can we do for the parishes? What can the Parishes do for CCRT and its Clients? What can you do for CCRT?
What can we do for the Parishes? • Opportunities for Volunteerism – and we need volunteers! • Share the knowledge of a reality that many of us do not see • Make real the tenets of Catholic Social Teaching: solidarity between communities • Provide help for people who are trying to navigate the State emergency support systems
What can the Parishes do for CCRT? • Financial support: tithing, donations…Everything we receive as donations go directly to the Clients • Toiletries drive… Food drive… If each parish could do a food drive once a year… • Uniforms for school as well as school supplies • Christmas projects • Winter clothing for men… mittens, hats, sweat suits… • Office volunteers…
What can you do for CCRT ? • Help us to be known in your community • Presentation/discussion with different small groups (Christian Services. Youth groups etc…) • Share information regarding CCRT with your communities: what we do, what we need… • Share information regarding the situation in Pontiac • Help with CCRT Gala (fund raiser) • Procure auction items • Ticket sales • General marketing
A Final Blessing… • May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, so that you will live deep in your heart. • May God bless you with anger at injustice and oppression, so that you will work for justice, equality and peace. • May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer, so you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain to joy. • And may God bless you with foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so you will do the things which others say cannot be done. The Franciscan Four-Part Blessing