The post appeared in the September 15, 2022 EGW newsletter https://www.egwdetroit.org/five-ways-catholic-charities-of-southeast-michigan-ccsem-and-parishes-can-partner-in-service-to-others For more information, contact Isabella Agby, Director of Marketing and Communications at agbyi@ccsem.org

Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM) exists to serve those in need by providing compassionate, quality, professional services, and support to our community. As the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit, CCSEM sees each parish and each family of parishes as an extension of our agency. We invite every parish to learn more about our programs and services and to utilize the many programs we provide to put faith into action within your parish family.

From counseling and behavioral health services to food pantries and adult day service centers, the opportunities for parishes to partner with CCSEM are endless! We can't do what we do without your time, talent and treasures. Here are five quick and easy ways parishes can partner with CCSEM right now.

1. Hosting Regular Drives and Collections for our Programs

So many of our programs could benefit from regular in-kind donation drives. For example, our Senior Outreach Program delivers fresh food, groceries and other items to homebound seniors in and around the tri-county area daily. Regular collection drives for pantry staples like cereal, canned soups, snacks and stews could allow us to serve more seniors in the community. Similarly, our Project Hope initiative provides much-needed baby supplies including diapers, formula, clothes and toys to mothers caring for young children. The St. Joseph Center of Hope engagement center provides overnight accommodations to those in recovery or battling addiction. The guests that visit this center often arrive with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Items like socks, underwear, toiletries, sweat suits, blankets and snacks can be of great comfort to our brothers and sisters so vulnerable in this moment of uncertainty.

2. Volunteer Opportunities and Service Projects

CCSEM has many programs and ministries in need of regular volunteers. We will work directly with evangelical charity directors and coordinators to customize monthly, weekly or other volunteer opportunities for your parish faithful to share their time and talent with us. We can also develop custom service opportunities for involvement within schools and parish social ministries. The possibilities to serve through volunteering are genuinely endless. Visit ccsem.org/volunteer-opportunities for more information.

3. Resource Referrals

Don’t be shy—let your parishioners know we are here. Time and time again, we hear how our services are the best-kept secret. Visit ccsem.org and click on the services tab on the main menu for a complete list of services and programs. From Adult Day Service Centers to Adoption and Foster Care, please let the faithful know that our services and programs are available should they ever be needed.

4. Education & Engagement

If you don’t know about our programs and services—let’s change that by engaging and educating our parish community. Our knowledgeable and passionate staff are honored to help engage parish communities through educational or informational sessions. Our professional services team members can facilitate counseling and grief workshops or lead informative seminars on becoming foster or adoptive parents. Partner with us to help create a workshop or conference that engages your parishioners through our services. We can also engage and partner with parishes by providing bulletin articles and professional features unique to your parish community.

5. Annual Collection

Every November, CCSEM reaches out to the faithful in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Detroit through its annual appeal. This one unique collection is our most significant fundraising effort of the year through which your parishioners impact families and individuals from all walks of life in the six counties where we all live and serve. By promoting this annual collection effort, you are partnering with us to help and bless our neighbors in the six counties throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit.