Metro Catholic Outreach

We are pleased to announce an opportunity for volunteers to provide outreach from the Catholic community to those in need in the Cedar Rapids metro area. The center is located at 420 6th St SE, Cedar Rapids. Metro Catholic Outreach is a collaborative project of the Catholic parishes of the Cedar Rapids metro area. This outreach provides a food pantry, call center for referrals and assistance and emergency financial assistance to those in need in our area.

Check out their website:  www.metrocatholicoutreach.org

April 2020 Donation Requests List
 

---

The Catholic Worker House provides meals, housing, and basic necessities to those in need.
 

BELOW IS A RECENT UPDATE FROM THE HOUSE MANAGER:

At CWH we have 17 women and children in shelter and 3 adults and 3 children at CWHx. We are keeping families in individual rooms and in our 2 rooms with single women we have just 2 per room.  

We are taking everyone's temperature daily to ensure we stay on top of any fevers or symptoms our residents may have. 

We want to ensure that everyone stays safe! That is our top priority.  If you have plans to bring a meal or donation of any kind please feel free to leave it on the porch and call and let us know. We will happily come and collect your donation while minimizing the risk for all.

If you could prepare a frozen meal that we could add to our "just in case" reserve that would be appreciated as well. We want to have enough meals for 14 days in the event that someone in the shelter becomes ill and we need to stop all traffic to the house. 

Please pray for wisdom for our leaders, health for our world and sanity for us all! Please if you are feeling thoughts of helplessness or depression reach out to one of the following resources:

As of Monday March 23, 2020 the Cedar Rapids City buses will not be running until further notice. For my clients that means even if they work at a fast food restaurant,  grocery store or major retailer, they will no longer have a way to or from work. For most of our clients it stops their lives in their tracks. 

Please check out our top 10 list for ways you can help!

Top 10 List

1. Hand sanitizer (gallons from Cedar Ridge can be purchased)
2. Hand soap
3. Lysol spray
4. Lysol wipes
5. Multi purpose cleaner
6. Toilet paper
7. Pine-sol floor cleaner
8. Bottled water 
9. Body wash
10. Gas cards/walmart gift cards/UBER or LYFT gift cards

We have one other request: If you have any board games, cards or craft supplies we would love to help put them to good use! Our families have a lot of time on there hands for the next 3 weeks!

For more information, please click  here.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish is a Catholic parish community dedicated to service to individuals, family and society through hospitality, education and acts of charity.  We believe that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Under the guidance of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Conference provides funds for individuals and families in need up to two times per year for rent or utilities and up to four times a year for food. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to assisting those in need and seeking charity and justice. For more information, please click here. The Cedar Rapids chapter is located at: 928 7th Street Southeast Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 www.svdpusa.org

Linn County General Assistance provides resources for all Linn County residents to help provide stabilization for those in need. For more information, please click  here.

Catherine McAuley Center provides adult education and transitional housing for women in need. For more information, please click  here.

Catholic Charities provides a number of services to those in need, including affordable housing, counseling services, and disaster relief. For more information, please click  here. 

Birthright provides love and support for women facing unplanned pregnancies. For more information, please click 

Bridgehaven provides no-cost pregnancy support services. For more information, please click  here.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Prenatal (class and prenatal 1:1): 13-week curriculum that covers the entire length and development of pregnancy, labor, delivery, birth, and breast/formula feeding. Video is provided. We are in need of instructors on Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30pm for a 1:1 and Thursday evening, 5:30-6:30pm, for the prenatal class. We also have 2 couples that would benefit from a small, intimate setting due to anxiety.
• Conversational English: For international clients who desire to learn the written and spoken English language as well as learn American customs, values, social situations, history and holidays.  
• Sewing support instructors. Support clients in learning basic sewing skills, one-on-one focus. Class is offered Wednesdays 10-12pm, starting March 4. Curriculum and lead instructor is provided.
• Baby Basics: 10-week class that covers a baby's first 12 months of life: bonding, when to introduce foods, teething, physical and social developments, infant massage, sign language, safe ride and safe sleep practices, and swaddling.