Catholic Centers of Concern
http://www.catholiccharitiesbhm.org/the-catholic-centers-of-concern.html
The Centers of Concern thoughout the Diocese of Birmingham provide direct aid to the poor. These centers are one of the most important ministries of outreach in our Diocese. A majority of the people who are helped with food, clothing, utilities, and other services are not Catholic. It is our statement of faith… That all people are created by God and need to be granted their dignity. Especially for the poor. “The Lord hears the Cry of the Poor” - we are mandated then to assist all those in need.
This past year, through direct help from Catholic Charities of Birmingham over 150,000 people were assisted and Catholic Charities distributed over $1,031,700.00. The Catholic Centers of Concern in Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Anniston, Tuscaloosa, Hamilton, Winfield and Sulligent and the Consolata Missionary Center in Eutaw (serving Greene and Sumter counties), helped people with food, rent, utilities, prescriptions and clothing needs.
Christmas Charities Year Round
http://www.christmascharitiesyearround.org/
Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR) is a non-profit, charitable organization that has served Madison County, AL since 1949, providing basic necessities year round, plus toys and food during the Christmas season, at no cost to clients. CCYR provides emergency resources including free clothes, shoes & household items, plus school supplies/uniforms to over 5,000 less fortunate children & adults annually.
Most of CCYR’s clients are facing hardship due to loss of income, homelessness, disability or domestic violence. CCYR also assists local residents in times of crisis or natural disasters, such as house fires and tornadoes. Another mission of CCYR is providing resources to veterans, and to prisoners re-entering society.
The Decatur Dream Center
http://www.decaturdreamcenter.org/
We are committed to meeting the needs of the at-risk, addicted, and economically deprived citizens in the community by assisting with food, education, and recovery opportunities.
Downtown Rescue Mission
http://downtownrescuemission.org/
Our emergency services are available free of charge to all in need. We provide hot meals served three times a day, overnight shelter, clean clothes, showers, free laundry services, toiletries, temporary baggage storage and the opportunity to join our recovery program.
The Residential Recovery program is a healing process and it must involve each aspect of a person. The Downtown Rescue Mission’s Biblically based 12-month Residential Recovery Program is designed to help men and women achieve life-long change and freedom from problems, such as alcoholism, drug addiction and emotional, mental and physical abuse. The program ministers to the whole person and seeks to restore individuals through teaching and modeling solid, Biblical principles and truths in which they can rebuild their lives.
The First Stop
http://www.firststop.org/
First Stop's overarching goal is to promote the overall rehabilitation of homeless citizens in Huntsville and Madison County communities.
First Stop provides valuable services in the community by:
-Promoting rehabilitation of our homeless citizens;
-Facilitating their transition from the street into permanent housing
-Assisting their reintroduction into the workforce, and
-Providing them life-management-skills training to promote continued stability and growth.
Gold Star Wives of America
http://www.goldstarwives.org/
Who we are: The widows/widowers whose spouses died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as result of service-connected disabilities. The widows/widowers of service personnel of all armed conflicts involving the United States of America. The mothers and fathers of children whose parents gave their life in the service of the country. The widows/widowers of service personnel of all ranks, races, and creeds. Why we are: "Only a service spouse understands the sorrow and problems of another service spouse.” Each legislative session of Congress brings up new legislation directly pertaining to military survivors. Members of Gold Star Wives appear before various House and Senate Committees on issues concerning compensation, educational benefits, medical care and other programs pertaining to the welfare of military survivors. We believe surviving spouses and dependent children need an organization dedicated solely to their needs, concerns, and welfare. We believe that United we are stronger, and that together we stand and divided we fall and are forgotten.
Grant Street Church of Christ
http://www.grantstreetcoc.org/
The physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people of Decatur are one of our deepest concerns. We lend assistance to those who have emergency needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. One of our ministries includes a large benevolent program which provides support to individuals, families and children's homes.
Helping Hands for Freedom
http://helpinghandsforfreedom.org/
The mission of Helping Hands for Freedom is to provide military children and families the financial assistance necessary when dealing with a family member lost, wounded, or serving multiple deployments in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
THE FORGOTTEN HEROES…
The word military calls to mind men and women in uniform, those who are today serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not hard to imagine the sacrifices that these men and women make. But the images that are too often forgotten are those of wives, husbands, children who stay behind. Their commitment to our country lies in the sacrifices they have to make while supporting the family member who serves. Over 2 million children have a parent who is in the military. Over 48,000 have a parent that has been wounded or killed during the current conflict. The period before and during deployment can be quite stressful for a young child. The fear of a parent being injured or even killed can be an ongoing worry. Other difficulties include separation anxiety and the adjustments that must be made when only one parent is home: additional responsibilities with household chores or helping to care for siblings. When parents return from deployment, they are not always the same. Major injuries, such as the loss of a limb, Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are life-altering and children often have a hard time understanding the reason for a significant change in the appearance, personality or behavior of a parent.
MILITARY CHILDREN “THE STORY BEHIND THE SCENE”
The children of our wounded service members, and those who lose a parent to war, suffer not only from the devastating loss of a parent and a life-changing home environment, but also from the absence of a significant contributor to their growth, development, and education. Children whose parents serve multiple deployments also face considerable change. To these children facing such significant issues, caring mentors and proven leadership provide the vital support, encouragement, and inspiration to help them reach their goals in life. We work to address the gaps in the military and government’s support for the immediate needs facing our service members, the wounded, their families and the families of the fatally wounded.
All Helping Hands for Freedom programs for military children will feature curriculum and structure focusing:
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
Study techniques for test preparation
Lakeshore Foundation
http://www.lakeshore.org/
Serves those with physical disabilities and provides access to exercise and recreational opportunities.
Lakeshore’s Lima Foxtrot programs include a number of weekend-long camps that bring injured military personnel and their families from across the country to Alabama. Each camp, referred to as an operation, is offered at no charge for the participants. Activities include Operation Rise & Conquer, an outdoor adventure weekend held at Lake Martin; Operation Down Home, a weekend camp for injured servicemen and women as well as their families; Operation Night Vision, a camp specifically designed for injured troops who have suffered blindness or visual impairment; Operation Alpha for servicemen and women who have sustained traumatic brain injuries; Operation Refocus brings together past participants to look at how participation in LIMA FOXTROT shaped their lives once they returned home from Lakeshore and Operation Endurance, which provides daily fitness programs to recently injured military personnel returning home to Alabama.
Still Serving Veterans
http://www.stillservingveterans.org/
Still Serving Veterans (SSV) is empowering Veterans and their families to optimally transition into post-military lives through assistance in obtaining all the VA benefits and services they have earned and deserve, through job-readiness training and connections to Veteran-friendly businesses that are ready to hire, and through quality referrals to existing local, state, and national services to ensure that all needs are met.
Veteran Tickets Foundation
http://www.vettix.org/
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) provides FREE event tickets to family members of troops Killed In Action (K.I.A.), our Military and Veterans to sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities.
Attending these events reduces stress through entertainment, strengthens family bonds, builds life long memories and encourages service members to stay engaged with American life and local communities.
Giving free event tickets is an expression of appreciation, acknowledgement and an enduring symbol that we, as a nation, honor the service of our troops today and long after their tour of duty has passed. Helping our veterans attend events provides positive family and life experiences after their years of service to our country.
http://www.catholiccharitiesbhm.org/the-catholic-centers-of-concern.html
The Centers of Concern thoughout the Diocese of Birmingham provide direct aid to the poor. These centers are one of the most important ministries of outreach in our Diocese. A majority of the people who are helped with food, clothing, utilities, and other services are not Catholic. It is our statement of faith… That all people are created by God and need to be granted their dignity. Especially for the poor. “The Lord hears the Cry of the Poor” - we are mandated then to assist all those in need.
This past year, through direct help from Catholic Charities of Birmingham over 150,000 people were assisted and Catholic Charities distributed over $1,031,700.00. The Catholic Centers of Concern in Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Anniston, Tuscaloosa, Hamilton, Winfield and Sulligent and the Consolata Missionary Center in Eutaw (serving Greene and Sumter counties), helped people with food, rent, utilities, prescriptions and clothing needs.
Christmas Charities Year Round
http://www.christmascharitiesyearround.org/
Christmas Charities Year Round (CCYR) is a non-profit, charitable organization that has served Madison County, AL since 1949, providing basic necessities year round, plus toys and food during the Christmas season, at no cost to clients. CCYR provides emergency resources including free clothes, shoes & household items, plus school supplies/uniforms to over 5,000 less fortunate children & adults annually.
Most of CCYR’s clients are facing hardship due to loss of income, homelessness, disability or domestic violence. CCYR also assists local residents in times of crisis or natural disasters, such as house fires and tornadoes. Another mission of CCYR is providing resources to veterans, and to prisoners re-entering society.
The Decatur Dream Center
http://www.decaturdreamcenter.org/
We are committed to meeting the needs of the at-risk, addicted, and economically deprived citizens in the community by assisting with food, education, and recovery opportunities.
Downtown Rescue Mission
http://downtownrescuemission.org/
Our emergency services are available free of charge to all in need. We provide hot meals served three times a day, overnight shelter, clean clothes, showers, free laundry services, toiletries, temporary baggage storage and the opportunity to join our recovery program.
The Residential Recovery program is a healing process and it must involve each aspect of a person. The Downtown Rescue Mission’s Biblically based 12-month Residential Recovery Program is designed to help men and women achieve life-long change and freedom from problems, such as alcoholism, drug addiction and emotional, mental and physical abuse. The program ministers to the whole person and seeks to restore individuals through teaching and modeling solid, Biblical principles and truths in which they can rebuild their lives.
The First Stop
http://www.firststop.org/
First Stop's overarching goal is to promote the overall rehabilitation of homeless citizens in Huntsville and Madison County communities.
First Stop provides valuable services in the community by:
-Promoting rehabilitation of our homeless citizens;
-Facilitating their transition from the street into permanent housing
-Assisting their reintroduction into the workforce, and
-Providing them life-management-skills training to promote continued stability and growth.
Gold Star Wives of America
http://www.goldstarwives.org/
Who we are: The widows/widowers whose spouses died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as result of service-connected disabilities. The widows/widowers of service personnel of all armed conflicts involving the United States of America. The mothers and fathers of children whose parents gave their life in the service of the country. The widows/widowers of service personnel of all ranks, races, and creeds. Why we are: "Only a service spouse understands the sorrow and problems of another service spouse.” Each legislative session of Congress brings up new legislation directly pertaining to military survivors. Members of Gold Star Wives appear before various House and Senate Committees on issues concerning compensation, educational benefits, medical care and other programs pertaining to the welfare of military survivors. We believe surviving spouses and dependent children need an organization dedicated solely to their needs, concerns, and welfare. We believe that United we are stronger, and that together we stand and divided we fall and are forgotten.
Grant Street Church of Christ
http://www.grantstreetcoc.org/
The physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people of Decatur are one of our deepest concerns. We lend assistance to those who have emergency needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. One of our ministries includes a large benevolent program which provides support to individuals, families and children's homes.
Helping Hands for Freedom
http://helpinghandsforfreedom.org/
The mission of Helping Hands for Freedom is to provide military children and families the financial assistance necessary when dealing with a family member lost, wounded, or serving multiple deployments in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.
THE FORGOTTEN HEROES…
The word military calls to mind men and women in uniform, those who are today serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not hard to imagine the sacrifices that these men and women make. But the images that are too often forgotten are those of wives, husbands, children who stay behind. Their commitment to our country lies in the sacrifices they have to make while supporting the family member who serves. Over 2 million children have a parent who is in the military. Over 48,000 have a parent that has been wounded or killed during the current conflict. The period before and during deployment can be quite stressful for a young child. The fear of a parent being injured or even killed can be an ongoing worry. Other difficulties include separation anxiety and the adjustments that must be made when only one parent is home: additional responsibilities with household chores or helping to care for siblings. When parents return from deployment, they are not always the same. Major injuries, such as the loss of a limb, Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are life-altering and children often have a hard time understanding the reason for a significant change in the appearance, personality or behavior of a parent.
MILITARY CHILDREN “THE STORY BEHIND THE SCENE”
The children of our wounded service members, and those who lose a parent to war, suffer not only from the devastating loss of a parent and a life-changing home environment, but also from the absence of a significant contributor to their growth, development, and education. Children whose parents serve multiple deployments also face considerable change. To these children facing such significant issues, caring mentors and proven leadership provide the vital support, encouragement, and inspiration to help them reach their goals in life. We work to address the gaps in the military and government’s support for the immediate needs facing our service members, the wounded, their families and the families of the fatally wounded.
All Helping Hands for Freedom programs for military children will feature curriculum and structure focusing:
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
Study techniques for test preparation
- How to take notes during class
- How to seek assistance from teachers, mentors, parents, etc
- The value of a solid education and staying in school to graduate
- Types of scholarships available for local and national colleges
- Types of classes and grade point averages required to qualify
- Additional information about finding and qualifying for financial assistance, scholarships and grants
- Instruction from highly respected, successful professional athletes and coaches
- High level instructors on speed, strength & conditioning
- Segments taught by experts in health & nutrition
- Professional educators discuss discipline, dedication and the importance of a strong work ethic
- In-depth discussion on sportsmanship
- Lecture topics unique to military children
- Drug and alcohol awareness
- Violence and anger management
- Race awareness and ethnic tolerance
- Valuing family and friends
- Current affairs
- Local topics
Lakeshore Foundation
http://www.lakeshore.org/
Serves those with physical disabilities and provides access to exercise and recreational opportunities.
Lakeshore’s Lima Foxtrot programs include a number of weekend-long camps that bring injured military personnel and their families from across the country to Alabama. Each camp, referred to as an operation, is offered at no charge for the participants. Activities include Operation Rise & Conquer, an outdoor adventure weekend held at Lake Martin; Operation Down Home, a weekend camp for injured servicemen and women as well as their families; Operation Night Vision, a camp specifically designed for injured troops who have suffered blindness or visual impairment; Operation Alpha for servicemen and women who have sustained traumatic brain injuries; Operation Refocus brings together past participants to look at how participation in LIMA FOXTROT shaped their lives once they returned home from Lakeshore and Operation Endurance, which provides daily fitness programs to recently injured military personnel returning home to Alabama.
Still Serving Veterans
http://www.stillservingveterans.org/
Still Serving Veterans (SSV) is empowering Veterans and their families to optimally transition into post-military lives through assistance in obtaining all the VA benefits and services they have earned and deserve, through job-readiness training and connections to Veteran-friendly businesses that are ready to hire, and through quality referrals to existing local, state, and national services to ensure that all needs are met.
Veteran Tickets Foundation
http://www.vettix.org/
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) provides FREE event tickets to family members of troops Killed In Action (K.I.A.), our Military and Veterans to sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities.
Attending these events reduces stress through entertainment, strengthens family bonds, builds life long memories and encourages service members to stay engaged with American life and local communities.
Giving free event tickets is an expression of appreciation, acknowledgement and an enduring symbol that we, as a nation, honor the service of our troops today and long after their tour of duty has passed. Helping our veterans attend events provides positive family and life experiences after their years of service to our country.