Blogs

Nazareth Child Care in Jamaica Plain is home to dedicated teachers shaping the lives of their young students on a daily basis. However, one particular teacher has gone above and beyond to show appreciation for his students in his own, unique way. Diderot Jean Philippe, or DJ as he is known among friends, students and colleagues, is an aspiring artist and kindergarten teacher at Nazareth Child Care.

There are many fixtures at Sunset Point Camp every summer. Smiley fries, the “Hungry Song”, saying “Grace” before dinner, and a cupcake with crossbones are known by campers and staff alike. Thanks to the generosity of Johnny Cupcakes and Johnny’s family, Sunset

For one young woman, Brigid’s Crossing in Lowell changed not only her life, but the lives of her three children. Anna* was referred to Brigid’s Crossing at age 17 by the Department of Children and Families. She and her three children needed a place to live since Anna was not receiving any support from her own family. After a visit to see all Brigid’s Crossing had to offer, Anna knew she had found her new home.

Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services welcomed over 230 refugees last year alone, and we could not continue to do this work without the help and support of the community. One community in Danvers, as part of a Parish Organized to Welcome Refugees (or POWR) site, came together as two different church groups to provide for newcomers welcomed by Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities South works to serve clients through every important phase of their lives. Children make memories at Sunset Point Camp in Hull; parents work on perfecting their English in the English Transcultural Center; families rely on the food pantry, the largest in Brockton. Rita, a dedicated volunteer and friend of Catholic Charities South, saw a need to further engage one group we serve: Brockton’s active and involved elders.

In 2013, Catholic Charities of Greater Boston recognized a need in Middlesex County. There was no food pantry option that offered clients a choice; that offered them the dignity that accompanies being responsible for the food your family receives. Starting out in what is now the food pantry’s waiting room, the Somerville Basic Needs Office was born.

“We all run the same course; some have various gifts, talents or unique capabilities while others are burdened by obstacles and challenges.” Steve Scala, one member of Team Catholic Charities 2017, made this observation back in January. Now it is April, training is in taper mode, and the Boston Marathon is on the horizon. Our runners have shown incredible dedication throughout the training season, not only physically but through their fundraising. With a team goal of $50,000, each teammate has done their part to support the at-risk youth served by Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities Child Care curriculum is based on the development of the whole child. We understand how special and unique each child is, so we offer different options to meet your family’s needs.  Why is Home-Based Family Child Care different?

1. Bonding. Since there are very few children enrolled at each site, children form a close bond with their caregiver and others in child care with them. Care is more customized and flexible when the child-provider ratio is lower.

by Beth Chambers

The PBS children’s television show, Sesame Street is one that we all know, either from growing up with it or having children who learned their ABC’s and 123’s from the daily letter and number on the show.  Personally, every time I hear the state name, Oklahoma, I am reminded of the Broadway musical directed by Kermit the Frog and starring Forgetful Jones who forgot the starting vowel in the song, ‘Oklahoma’, substituting instead A, E, and I as the first letter before finally getting it right and then it was time to break for lunch!