From the Iowa Catholic Conference update today, 4/12/21
 

It has been reported that Gov. Reynolds declined a request from the federal government for the state to take in migrant children from the southern border of our country.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of Catholic organizations that are working directly with migrants at the border and in facilities for unaccompanied children, along with links for making donations to assist them in their efforts:

• Catholic Charities USA

• Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (also has an Amazon Wish List)

• Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo

• Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio

• Catholic Charities Dallas

• Diocese of El Paso: Border Refugee Assistance Fund

• Annunciation House of El Paso

• Hope Border Institute

• Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona: Casa Alitas Program

• Kino Border Initiative

• Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico 

• Diocese of San Angelo Immigration Services

• Catholic Charities of San Diego

• Catholic Charities San Bernardino and Riverside Counties

• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles

Make Check Payable to: Diocese of Davenport on the memo line write: Catholic Charities.

Please mail check to:   
Diocese of Davenport 
Catholic Charities
780 West Central Park Avenue
Davenport, IA 52804

Resources on rental assistance, housing, and other help. 

• Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program - Iowa Finance Authority will be taking applications for financial assistance for rent.  The general term of the assistance and the requirements for qualification are at the website now.   The application will NOT depend on immigration status and no information will be provided to any other government agency.  Click here to learn more. Rent and Utility flyer more information is available under thier resource page. 

• Iowa Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV)- Iowa Finance Authority - may provide assistance to those facing evection or are already homeless.

• Community Action for Eastern Iowa - 563-324-3236

• Churches United CARELINK - 563-332-5002

• Iowa legal Aid-Eviction Information/Rights  1-800-532-1275

• Resident Declaration Form - Other Languages

• Eviction Moratorium Information in 18 Asian Languages

• Iowa Legal Aid COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline 1-800-332-0419.  for Iowans experiencing any legal problems related to COVID-19 such us eviction, unemployment benefits denial.  Click here to learn more... 

• HHS/CDC Frequently Asked Questions

• Houseiowa.org - database of housing resources

• 211iowa.org or call 2-1-1 for resources

CDC Eviction Moratorium Extended through June 30, 2021

The CDC has extended its eviction moratorium to further prevent the eviction of tenants who are unable to make rental payments. The moratorium that was scheduled to expire on March 31, 2021, is now extended through June 30, 2021. 

The Order protects renters who meet certain requirements and who sign a declaration form and give it to the landlord. 

We have an incredibly rich tradition of addressing direct needs of people and with peace and justice efforts through the Office of Social Action. Early on, the Diocesan expression of response to direct needs as well as peace and justice was a Catholic Charities. 40 years ago assisted by its national leaders, the United Way of the Quad Cites conducted a study of the human needs and community services in the area which included our diocese. Among its conclusions were that the Catholic Charities was understaffed and attempting to provide too broad an array of services that in some cases duplicated the efforts of other service providers. They recommended that the Charities be dissolved and the services be merged with what is now Family Resources. As Monsignor Mottet recalls, he and Bishop O’Keefe sweated over the study for two years before deciding that they would not be good neighbors unless they cooperated with the study. Learn more about Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Davenport History

Services Available:

• Disaster Preparation and Responses: Assist parishes in disaster planning and work with county or community disaster recovery organization in time of disaster to facilitate recovery. 

• Immigration Services: Provides assistance in navigating the immigration process to families and outreach to communities for immigration information and assistance. 

• Jail/Prison Ministry The Jail / Prison Ministry allows parishioner's to volunteer in local correctional facilities by bringing the message and love of God to inmates.
  
  Catholic Charities also supports the works of volunteers committed to Restorative Justice. As an example, volunteers, mentors and members of Circles of Support are actively involved in "walking with" returning citizens upon their release from prison and while they participate in Drug Court, an alternative to incarceration. 

• Parish Health Ministry: Health ministry at the parish level is a compassionate ministry focused on the whole person in the various stages of life from conception to death.  In caring for the spiritual well being of a person, we also address their physical well-being.  Health ministry has a role for everyone at a parish, not just health professionals.

• Project Rachel Ministry:Project Rachel is a confidential, post-abortion healing ministry of the Catholic Church offering hope and healing to women and men hurting from past abortions. Project Rachel staff understand the emotional pain that follows an abortion.  Flyer

Catholic Charities is a compliment to the rich tradition of social justice that continues within the diocese.

• Catholic Charities USA 

From Catholic Charities USA:

Fratelli Tutti: Finding Sisterhood and Brotherhood to Overcome what Divides Us
(Please note that there is a separate registration link for each event.)
Catholic Charities USA is pleased to sponsor an upcoming series of four discussions, hosted by the Franciscan Action Network and featuring expert speakers, that will unpack Pope Francis’ latest social encyclical, Fratelli Tutti. Dates, topics, featured panelists, and registration links are as follows:

• May 5: Fratelli Tutti on Culture and Society, with Kim Daniels & Heidi Schlumpf

• May 19: Fratelli Tutti on Racism and Anti-Racism, with Olga Segura & Ralph McCloud

• May 26: Fratelli Tutti on Economics, with Tony Annett & Meg Clark

• June 16: Fratelli Tutti on Governance and Politics, with Amy Uelmann & David Cloutier

Each event will begin at 6 pm CT. Discussions will be moderated by Stephen Schneck, Executive Director of the Franciscan Action Network, and will feature Q&A with the panelists.