Time to Celebrate You

Ninety-five guests gathered on October 11 for our third annual Donor Appreciation Luncheon. Guests mingled with Catholic Charities staff and Board members, including The Most Reverend Micheal C. Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, and President of the Catholic Charities Board.

Guests learned more about poverty in the East Bay from Board Chair James Fiedler, including how it impacts families. Chief Program Officer Lisa Carlisle described the solutions Catholic Charities offers and the difference they make through your support. Filmmaker Theresa Fortune shared how your support changed her life, sparking the circumstances that led to professional success, which means a brighter future for her child.

Highlights include:

• Bishop Barber offering a moving keynote address about the power, purpose, and impact of charity. 
• Carson Yu, a long-term volunteer, receiving the 2024 Dedicated Service Award for his work with the families who call us for help with housing. 
• Steve Wilcox sharing a family story of charitable giving and why it matters.

Appreciation goes to all our guests and to speakers, who together made the luncheon special.

Next year, we will be celebrating Catholic Charities East Bay’s 90th anniversary. We’ll be sure to share the news about any celebrations as soon as dates and locations are known. 

If you haven’t had the chance to join one of our events yet, we hope you can in 2025. You are a part of all that we do!

Until then, we want to warmly thank our Presenting Sponsorship, dedicated to the memory of Cass Candell, who ─ with his family ─ had supported the work of Catholic Charities for decades.

We also thank the Wilcox Family Foundation and the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities for their Platinum Sponsorships; Gold Sponsors Armanino and Gallagher; and Silver Sponsor French Brothers Flooring of America.

We'd also like to thank Dominque Mintz (photography), AdMail, Inc. (printing), and Mary Leigh Henneberry/Dezignamo (design), for their support.

Healthy Relationships for 10th Graders

We recently sat down with Nicole Thomas, Catholic Charities Director of Mental Health and Violence Prevention Services, about workshops held at Salesian College Preparatory to increase mental health awareness among our young people.

Catholic Charities staff provided a half day, interactive workshop for one hundred 10^th graders, which focused on healthy relationship skills, preventing bullying, and community building activities. The event increased recognition among students, staff, and administrators of the importance of healthy connections, especially among people who differ from one another. 

This work helps create a healthy climate within schools, or any place where people form a community. Raising awareness about managing differences in a healthy way is a fundamental life skill. Our work in this arena is based on restorative practices and healing. Other schools have also asked for workshops and training, which we customize to address specific needs.

Joy Bells are Ringing

Join us by sponsoring a family or volunteering at our Joy Bells annual gift program for families with children who need extra help this Christmas. 

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Mari Mosca at 510-350-6177 or mmosca@@cceb.org.

Sign-ups to sponsor a child are now open:

If you haven’t had the chance to join us at a Coffee on the Quarter, we hope it’s on your 2025 “can’t miss it” list. Registration will be opening soon for January 16, which will focus on housing, and March 6, which will focus on immigration. For more information, please email development@cceb.org.  

December 3: Giving Tuesday

December 14: Joy Bells Holiday Gifts for Children

January 16: Coffee on the Quarter

March 6: Coffee on the Quarter

Email development@cceb.org for more information.

VOLUNTEER



Please check out our volunteer opportunities. We get about 300 calls a day handled by 3 administrative coordinators. We could really use help with Front Desk Support to help with inquiries. Even a few hours once a week will make a difference.

WE'RE HIRING

Please check out current job postings on our website's Careers page. We're currently filling positions for a Managing Attorney and a Mental Health Therapist.

www.cceb.org