Catholic Charities Providing help. Creating hope.

Catholic Charities of Lee County offers variety
of services through three busy offices

By Judy Bokorney
Web Site Editor

Fort Myers—Catholic Charities in Lee County has three busy offices with so much to offer the needy in the community. Through Hispanic Services of Fort Myers and Bonita Springs and the Haitian Center in Fort Myers, thousands of people receive assistance every year.

“Most people don’t realize all the services that are available through Catholic Charities in Lee County,” said Hoda Hanna, director of the programs.

“We work very hard to collaborate with all social service agencies in Lee County so that we can provide our clients with quality help,” said Hanna. “The community is like a tapestry and we all have a hand in it. It takes everyone to help our neighbors in need. It’s all about partnership,” she said.

Two special programs going on right now at all three offices are the Summer Youth Program and the Back to School Program.

About 40 to 50 children from low-income families attend the summer program at each location four days a week. “We are one of the few in Lee County that has a sliding scale fee but still offers all the quality services like field trips and educational opportunities,” said Hanna.

Catholic Charities is looking for support for the program through an Adopt A Camper donation.

With a new school year beginning in August, Catholic Charities of Lee County is gearing up the Back to School Program, which provides hundreds of needy students with backpacks full of school supplies. The organization is asking for assistance with monetary donations to purchase items and volunteers willing to put together and distribute the backpacks.

When school begins, all three offices provide an After School Tutoring Program that assists at risk students with their homework. Volunteers pair up with a student to not only tutor them but also communicate with the child’s teacher and parents about performance levels. A new after school program has recently opened at St. Columbkille Parish. Catholic Charities is looking for volunteer tutors for the after school programs.

This summer, Hanna said, Catholic Charities of Lee County is prepared for the 2005 hurricane season. “We are working with the Lee County Emergency Management System to have Catholic Charities staff on call in case of a hurricane,” Hanna said. “We will be ready if a hurricane strikes our community.”

Hanna said deserving families could contact Catholic Charities if they are in need of supplies prior to the arrival of a hurricane. The organization also is looking for volunteers to assist Catholic Charities if Lee County is affected by a hurricane.

“We have learned from last year’s season,” said Hanna. “Catholic Charities continues to assist hurricane victims with long term recovery.” Clients still seek help with loss of housing and help with unpaid bills. “It has been especially difficult for those on with a low income,” she said.

According to Hanna, the Haitian Center has seen an increase in the number of clients due to hurricanes that struck Haiti last year and forced those affected to move to Lee County.

Catholic Charities of Lee County also offers financial assistance, immigration, ESOL classes, case management services, computer classes, a tax preparation program, a DUI substance abuse program, job development/training and placement, and special Christmas programs.

“We are working on an educational program that addresses domestic abuse and neglect issues for clients who have recently migrated to the United States,” said Hanna. “Often they are unaware of cultural differences and education can be prevention of abuse.”

Hanna said she also plans to develop a program for the homeless who are undocumented or without identification. “The program will help them to assimilate into the community,” she said.

“Of course none of our programs would be possible without all of our volunteers. I am especially grateful to all the Catholic parishes in Lee County,” said Hanna. “They support our mission whole heartedly.”

Anyone interested in more information or volunteering for any of the programs mentioned or sending a donation can contact Catholic Charities of Lee County by mailing to 2116 Monroe Street, Fort Myers 33904, or calling 239-334-4007, or emailing hhanna@ccslee.org.