Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Echo House Sponsors Needed

Echo House is a senior center supported by the Diocese of Charleston located in North Charleston, SC. They are presently in need of sponsors to provide lunch for the local seniors. If you or a group are interested in helping with lunch for approximately 20 seniors, please call the Coastal Catholic Charities office at 843-308-9361.

Monday, July 30, 2012

A Message from Clean of Heart Volunteers

Each week volunteers dedicate their time and energy at Clean of Heart, a Columbia, SC, Catholic Charities ministry. Clean of Heart provides laundry services  and showers to the downtown Columbia homeless population. It recently celebrated it's one year anniversary.


 Clean of Heart Facilities in Downtown Columbia. It is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:00.


Check out what these volunteers had to say about their experiences at Clean of Heart:

"It's truly incredible that Clean of Heart has been open one year. What has this meant to me? It simply means, on the days I am able to volunteer, I am blessed to be able to give 100% of my time and attention to be of service to the people who really need to know how much we are. Thank you Catholic Charities"- Paulette Campbell

"Our Monday mornings at Clean of Heart: good work, good people, good feeling. Thanks for the opportunity!"- John and Janice Norton


 Regional Coordinator Mary Trivisonno with volunteers Gwen Skipper and Claire Wagner


If you are interested in volunteering with Clean of Heart or learning more about this program, please call 803-254-9776.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Hispanic Outreach Initiative at Coastal Catholic Charities


Coastal Catholic Charities is excited to announce the inception of its Hispanic Outreach Initiative, specifically designed to address the needs of Spanish-speakers in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. South Carolina has the fastest-growing Latino population in the United States—its Hispanic population more than doubled in size between 2000 and 2010— and the services offered through Coastal Catholic Charities are vital to the empowerment of this burgeoning client base[1]. These expanded services include: subsidized dental cleanings, a subsidized dental replacement program, subsidized advanced dental care (e.g. fillings and extractions), subsidized vision exams/glasses, prescription assistance, a free monthly wellness clinic, and a supplemental food pantry for those ages 60 and older.

The two licensed social workers who comprise the Coastal Catholic Charities office are dedicated to creating an inclusive program that is directly aligned with Catholic social teaching on immigrant populations, which exhorts that “regardless of their legal status, migrants, like all persons, possess inherent human dignity that should be respected[2].”  Thus, in adherence with Catholic social justice, our staff endeavors to foster an environment of peace and unconditional acceptance to all who are in need of assistance.

Coastal Catholic Charities would like to express its profound gratitude to our many donors, without whom our programs would not be possible. Your unflagging support allows us to fulfill our mission of “serving God’s family throughout South Carolina.”  

To make a donation today, click here.


[1] National Council of La Raza (2012); U.S. Census Bureau (2010).
[2] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (2011).

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Attention Dreamers! ¡Atención Dreamers!

Calling All Dreamers!

The President has made it possible for undocumented youth who have lived in the U.S. for over five years to apply for temporary lawful status and work authorization. Young people that meet the following requirements can apply:
  • Came to the United States when they were under the age of sixteen;
  • Have continuouslyresided in the United States for at least five years before June 15, 2012, and are present in the United States on June 15, 2012;
  • Are currently in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
  • Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
  • Are not above the age of thirty (as of June 15, 2012).
We strongly urge you to get help from an accredited nonprofit immigration program or a licensed attorney. Please stay away from "notaries" and other unscrupulous entities who are not authorized to practice immigration law.

Questions and Answers
1. Is this an amnesty? No, this is not an amnesty. This is a way for undocumented young people to get a work permit. This is not a way to apply for permanent residency or U.S.citizenship.

2. What benefits will I get with this temporary status? You will get a work permit that will be valid for two years with possible renewal after that. You can work and live legally in the United States with this status. You can not include your family members as derivatives.

3. When can I apply for my work permit? We have to wait for Immigration to issue a form and fee for this process. We cannot apply yet. It could be several months until the application process is opened. DO NOT pay anyone to help you until the government announces that the application period has opened.

4. How can I get ready to apply? You can prepare by gathering all the documents to prove the requirements listed above and by saving your money for fees. 5. What kind of documents will Immigration want? Documents to prove the above requirements could be:
  • Your birth certificate, with an English translation;
  • Proof that you came to the U.S. when you were under the age of 16, such as school records, medical records, receipts, financial records, and affidavits from friends and family members;
  • Proof that you have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, such as school records, medical records, bank account records, taxes, financial records, letters from employers, leases or mortgages, and affidavits from friends and family members.
  • School records showing you are currently in school, your high school or college diploma, your GED certificate, or military records showing that you have been honorably discharged from the military;
  • Court dispositions from all arrests. For more information, you can call USCIS at 1.800.375.528