The Pensacola Catholic Charities is hiring a Regional Director, a part-time Adoption Specialist, and a Program Coordinator for Refugee Services. *REGIONAL DIRECTOR* wanted for Pensacola office of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. This position is responsible for the leadership, fundraising and administration of the Catholic Charities Regional Office, which includes poverty programs and initiatives, immigration & refugee services and adoption services. Requires a Masters Degree; experience in fundraising and grant writing and knowledge of and commitment to Catholic Social Teaching. Please send a letter of application, resume, salary requirements, and three work-related references to Catholic Charities of NWFL, Attn: Executive Director. Address: 1000 West Garden Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 or E-mail: catholiccharities@cc.ptdiocese.org. EOE *ADOPTION SPECIALIST* _Part-time_ position needed for Adoption/Pregnancy Counseling Program of Catholic Charities of NWFL Pensacola Regional Office. Requires BSW or Bachelor’s Degree in a related human service field and experience with adoption and/or crisis pregnancies. Familiarity with FL adoption law a plus. Send letter of application and resume to Executive Director, 1000 W. Garden Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 or E-mail: catholiccharities@cc.ptdiocese.org. EOE 2010-02-26T12:09:30-06:00 2010-03-26T00:00:00-05:00 104 1 1 1 2010-02-26T00:00:00-06:00 2010-03-09T14:51:31-06:00 69

On June 5, the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Housing Coalition (IHC) voted.... On June 5, the Board of Directors of the Interfaith Housing Coalition (IHC) voted to suspend the Journey project, a 250 unit mixed income planned community on 26 acres in the Englewood Community of West Pensacola. The board came to this decision based on three factors, the current economic environment in Escambia County and the State of Florida, reduced access to credit by developers and home buyers, and, despite our best efforts, the inability to generate sufficient funding for continued IHC operations. IHC membership consists of churches and synagogues who invested countless hours and a great deal of their own resources to keep the dream of community transformation through affordable housing alive. However, after four years of struggle we have reluctantly concluded that because of the housing downturn, resulting in the surplus of vacant houses and significant loss in housing value, the houses envisioned in Journey would be more expensive to build than many of the homes already on the market in Escambia County. In addition, the churches and synagogues, faced with their own economic challenges, are unable at this time to engender the support necessary for the project. Although the Journey project has been suspended and no longer has a full time staff, IHC will continue to explore creative ways to make this dream of affordable housing a reality in Escambia County. 2009-06-13T00:19:07-05:00 2009-07-13T00:00:00-05:00 97 1 1 1 2009-06-12T00:00:00-05:00 2009-06-13T00:19:57-05:00 69

The 'primer' is designed to inform the community about the Poverty Solutions Team. <center>To get acquainted with Unite Escambia's Poverty Solutions Team, their mission and goals please read their newsletter and pass it on to your friends, family and coworkers. <font size=+1>"PRIMER ON POVERTY SOLUTIONS":/downloads/Primer_on_Poverty_Solutions_Team_1_.pdf</font> 2009-05-22T22:27:37-05:00 2009-06-22T00:00:00-05:00 96 1 1 1 2009-05-22T00:00:00-05:00 2009-05-22T22:28:27-05:00 69

Volunteer Appreciation 2009 in Pensacola was a success. Volunteers are "a treasure." Pensacola Regional Office celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Month on April 30th. "You are a Treasure" theme appropriately expressed the tremendous gratitude Catholic Charities staff have for the many volunteers who make our jobs easier while also assisting in efforts made to strengthen families in all 4 programs. If it were not for our volunteers, Catholic Charities could not carry out the mission we have been called to administer! Our deepest appreciation can never be expressed enough to the many volunteers who bless and support the work of Catholic Charities. !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_001.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_002.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_003.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_004.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_005.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_006.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_007.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_008.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_009.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_010.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_011.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_012.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_013.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_014.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_015.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_016.jpg! <br> !/downloads/Volunteers_Appreciation_2009_018.jpg! 2009-05-22T22:23:16-05:00 2009-07-22T00:00:00-05:00 95 1 1 0 2009-05-22T00:00:00-05:00 2009-07-15T17:56:57-05:00 69

Catholic Charities assisted 391 families with toys, food and clothing during the 2008 Holiday season. Please view the Christmas newsletter for all of the other news, statistics and thanks to the donors. <font size=+1>"2008 Christmas Newsletter":/downloads/2008_christmas_newsletter_1_.pdf </FONT> 2009-02-09T21:03:12-06:00 2009-03-09T00:00:00-05:00 94 1 1 1 2009-02-09T00:00:00-06:00 2009-02-09T21:05:59-06:00 69

As a community, let us consider that our tiny acts of support offered to women in crisis just might save one tiny little life. Written by: Precious Arnold and Cheree Moore of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida Printed in: Pensacola News Journal February 6, 2009 The tragedy of the abandoned infant found in Milton in December (Baby Milton) calls us as a community to reach out to women in crisis. It reminds us of how fragile life is and that these unfortunate events do happen right in our own neighborhoods. With a little education and a lot of love and support, we can save lives and give a child a future. According to A Safe Haven for Newborns, a statewide infant rescue group based in South Florida, 125 newborns have been saved across Florida since the 2000 enactment of the Safe Haven law. This law allows women to leave their newborn at any medically staffed facility (hospital, fire/EMS department) with no questions asked. In 2008, the law was amended to extend a women's option from leaving a newborn up to 3 days old to leaving a newborn up to 7 days old. In leaving her newborn, a woman would be choosing an adoption plan while remaining anonymous. With such a viable option, many wonder why a woman would abandon a child in an unsafe environment. However, we must first ask these questions: How do we treat women facing unplanned pregnancy? Do we offer options? When we hear a woman say that she is not ready to parent her child, and is considering adoption, do we cast a judgmental glance her way or laden her with guilt? Do we encourage these women to evaluate all their options and make the best decision for themselves and the child? Women considering adoption have been asked, "How can you give your child away?" Some have been told that they are careless and heartless. Thus, shame sets in. Those facing unplanned pregnancy listen to the messages we send and feel hopeless and trapped. They believe that parenting is the only option that society will accept. So, in fear and desperation they run or hide or neglect or abandon or abuse — or even kill. A woman facing a crisis pregnancy needs education to make the best plan for herself and her unborn child. As a community, we can support these women by referring them to one of the four pregnancy resource centers in our two counties. We can make others aware of the Safe Haven law and acknowledge that if a mother chooses to anonymously leave her child in a safe place, she is making a positive choice. And finally, we can realize the negativity that is so often attached to the courageous act of adoption and work to change this stigma, remembering that adoption means life. As a community, let us consider that our tiny acts of support offered to women in crisis just might save one tiny little life. 2009-02-09T19:51:04-06:00 2009-04-09T00:00:00-05:00 93 1 1 1 2009-02-09T00:00:00-06:00 2009-02-09T19:51:07-06:00 69

The Escambia VISTA Coalition is a group of ten non-profit agencies that have made a commitment to identify and implement methods to increase and improve service delivery to those in poverty. *What is VISTA?* AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. Find out more at AmeriCorps*VISTA, http://www.americorps.gov. *What is the Escambia VISTA Coalition (EVC)?* The Escambia VISTA Coalition is a group of ten non-profit agencies that have made a commitment to identify and implement methods to increase and improve service delivery to those in poverty. These agencies include: Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida Catholic Charities Circles Campaign of the Poverty Solutions Team Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless FamiliesFirst Network Financial Stability Coalition through United Way of Escambia County First Call for Help through United Way of Escambia County Hands On Northwest Florida Pathways for Change *<Font size=2>To learn more about EVC and it's mission, goals, benefits, positions, and how to apply please visit: <a href="http://www.unitedwayescambia.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=currentnews.viewItem&item_id=165">www.unitedwayescambia.org</a>* For additional information, contact Mary Holloman, Escambia VISTA Coalition Project Coordinator, at mary@UnitedWayEscambia.org or (850) 444-7045. 2009-02-04T19:23:23-06:00 2009-07-04T00:00:00-05:00 92 1 1 1 2009-02-04T00:00:00-06:00 2009-02-04T19:28:38-06:00 69

There are still several opportunities for you and the rest of the community to get involved with the Bridges to Circles Program. p=. UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS *Hands-on ally training* is Thursday, January 29 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, 901 E. Gadsden Street. This session gives potential allies the tools and information they need to work with a family moving toward self-sufficiency. *Community orientation* provides an overview of the work of Unite Escambia’s Poverty Solutions Team. The orientation is Thursday, February 5 from 5:30-7:00 pm. It is at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 140 W. Government Street. *Bridges out of Poverty training* is Thursday, February 12 from 9:00-11:00 am. The session covers the hidden rules of class and the effects of generational poverty. It is hosted by Saltmarsh, Cleaveland, and Gund at 900 N. 12th Avenue. *Hands-on ally training* is Thursday, February 19 from 5:30-7:30 pm. It is at Gadsden Street United Methodist Church at 901 E. Gadsden Street. *Poverty Simulation* is Tuesday, March 17 from 8:30-12:30 at the Langley Bell Center on Nine Mile Road. *Boys in Crisis seminar* on helping boys succeed in today’s world is Friday, April 3 from 8:00-12:00 at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St. To register, contact Janet at 602-8601 or westlakej@cc.ptdiocese.org 2009-01-26T21:39:36-06:00 2009-04-10T00:00:00-05:00 91 1 1 0 2009-01-26T00:00:00-06:00 2009-01-26T21:43:14-06:00 69

To keep you informed about the wonderful work being done in the community by our Poverty Solution Team and Catholic Charities Bridges to Circles program.. Our goal is to cut poverty in half by 2020 and the more you know, chances are you'll want to become more involved! Click on the link below and then click on underlined titles of articles to read on. Remember, if you are interested in becoming more involved, contact our Community Organizer, Janet Westlake at 429-7296 ext. 18. <a href="http://www.escambiacommunitycollaborative.org//docs/Poverty_PST_Newsletter_Dec08.pdf">Bridges Out of Poverty Newsletter</a> 2009-01-22T20:24:04-06:00 2009-02-22T00:00:00-06:00 90 1 1 1 2009-01-22T00:00:00-06:00 2009-02-07T22:09:44-06:00 69

If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges – and strengths – will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success. p=. *“Now I understand the people I’m serving.”* If your business, agency, or organization works with people from poverty, only a deeper understanding of their challenges – and strengths – will help you partner with them to create opportunities for success. Unite Escambia's Poverty Solution Team is hosting a BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY training event on Wednesday, November 12 from 8:30 am-3:30 pm at Temple Beth-el at 800 N. Palafox Street. Attendees will: Develop mental models of the environments of poverty, middle class, and wealth; Examine the causes of poverty; Begin to understand how the differing environments can produces different hidden rules; Define resources that are necessary for a high quality of life and explore community action and policies that can enhance resources; and Explore how the information can be used to created relationships between and among classes so that all can participate in solving problems at the community and systemic levels. We have 50 spaces available at a cost of $25 that includes lunch and training materials. To register, send check payable to Catholic Charities to Janet Westlake, Bridges to Circles community organizer, at the Catholic Charities Outreach Center, 1815 N. Sixth Avenue, Pensacola, FL, 32503. Questions, call Janet at 429-7296, ext. 18; 602-8601; or email westlakej@cc.ptdiocese.org. 2008-10-30T22:08:01-05:00 2008-11-14T00:00:00-06:00 85 1 1 1 2008-10-30T00:00:00-05:00 2008-10-30T22:08:05-05:00 69