Imagine if you were fighting stage 4 liver cancer. Imagine receiving an eviction notice, knowing that you would be forced from your home unless you paid rent that you simply could not pay. Imagine the fear of homelessness, dreading that your child, or grandchild, would be taken away from you. That is the fear CassandraRead more
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By Eric L. Steckel In the wake of the tragic events in Paris on November 13, 2015, Catholic Charities of the East Bay urges the community to stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Syrians and others displaced by the violence in their homeland. While this is a complex issue, we urge ourRead more
Christopher Martinez has been selected Catholic Charities of the East Bay’s Chief Program Officer It is with much joy that I announce that Christopher Martinez has been selected as our new Chief Program Officer (CPO). Christopher joined Catholic Charities of the East Bay in October, 2014 as Director of Legal Immigration Services. He is veryRead more
As our guests began arriving at the Concord Hilton for our very first “Transforming Lives Annual Fundraising Luncheon,” there was a buzz in the air. Our staff could feel it, our board members could feel it, and our guests were beginning to get the sense that this was going to be a special day. ChuckRead more
Bishop Barber welcomed applicants and guests to the Cathedral of Christ the Light Some might chalk it up to the Pope Francis effect. Others might contend that the issue of immigration is truly top of mind for Americans. Whatever the case, turnout at the October 17th free citizenship and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)Read more
Cathedral of Christ the Light – “The Diocese of Oakland will host Free Citizenship and DACA Application Workshops at the Cathedral of Christ the Light.” Pope Francis made quite a splash in his recent visit to the United States. He has never been one to shy away from difficult issues that confront Catholics and non-CatholicsRead more
Many refugee children are suffering from depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder If you’ve paid attention to the news over the past several weeks, you’ve witnessed the plight of Syrian refugees flooding into Europe. In a state of limbo, families are fleeing persecution and strife, leaving behind everything that they know to embark on a dangerousRead more
By Diana Pascual Superstar Volunteer Coordinator Jason Sullivan-Halpern. Jason Sullivan-Halpern is not a new face to Catholic Charities of the East Bay. After completing his one-year AmeriCorps fellowship with us, which included over 1,700 hours of service, Jason has joined us as our full-time volunteer coordinator. During this time, he has created the infrastructure ofRead more
By Eric L. Steckel Imagine leaving your home, your career, everything you know, to take a job in an East Oakland fast food joint. With all due respect to the fast food industry, why would anyone choose to do that? The question should be, “What would force anyone to have to do that?” Ghafoor andRead more
By Janiero Rodriguez I just graduated from McClymonds High School in West Oakland. Like any school, there are “good kids” and those that we consider “bad kids.” When you’re a “bad kid,” that’s most likely how they’re going to see you for life. That doesn’t seem fair. They still have so much time ahead toRead more
