Finding adequate transitional housing is one of the greatest challenges faced when rescuing survivors of human trafficking.
Through the Anti-Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice Inc. works closely with rescued sex and labor trafficking survivors to place them in a safe location, providing an important “piece of mind” while they transition back into society.
To help support this effort, it was recently announced that Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Inc. received a $500,000 housing assistance grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.
The grant is intended to provide up to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for victims of trafficking, including rent, utilities and related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. The grant will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment and receive occupational training and counseling.
“This grant provides hope for those we help on a daily basis and ensures a better future by providing a sense of stability and security,” states Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program Director Erika Pineros. “This funding will allow survivors to focus on their well being without the worry of homelessness; it serves as a stepping-stone towards self-independence.”
“This awarding of the grant is outstanding news and just reinforces what we already knew, Catholic Charities is doing incredible work in serving the victims of sex and labor trafficking,” said Bishop Frank J. Dewane. “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that deprives its victims of the most basic human rights and the recognition of their human dignity. The reality is that this takes place within the Diocese of Venice, therefore it is our duty as Catholics to educate the public about trafficking, to stop the traffickers and to help those who are rescued to the best of our ability.”
Bishop Dewane has been a strong proponent of this Catholic Charities program since it began in 2009 and has supported expansion of services through the years to include the 2017 purchase of the first human trafficking transitional housing in Lee County. Just since the start of 2020, through its program, Catholic Charities has assisted 73 victims of human trafficking.
Because the threat of homelessness is always a concern for victims of human trafficking, the existing transitional housing operated by Catholic Charities in the region is almost always full, Pineros said. Other housing options became scarcer due to health and safety requirements brought on by the ongoing global Pandemic, so the timing of the grant is fortuitous.
Under this grant, the Catholic Charities program will expand its current services to provide short-term housing services for survivors of human trafficking throughout 10 counties of the Diocese. Catholic Charities will secure one- and two-bedroom apartments to serve individuals and families who have been victims of human trafficking.
While the grant covers some expenses, Anti-Human Trafficking program provides a wide range of comprehensive supportive services for victims of human trafficking. These additional services, which rely on the generosity of donors, include: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application guidance, immigration support, mental health services, transportation assistance, access to food pantries, and more. The case management offered throughout the program connects clients to food and clothing, help with personal finance, cultural orientation, safety planning, and more.
The Anti-Human Trafficking program also has agreements and referral arrangements with area agencies that provide emergency shelter, medical, dental, and psychiatric care, childcare, education and employment readiness, legal immigration services, documentation assistance, and more.
While the Department of Justice grant will assist Catholic Charities in cotonuuing to provide housing for victims of human trafficking, expenses for other services are not covered and the needs are great. To support the Catholic Charities, please visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org and to learn more about the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance Program you can contact Erika Pineros at erika.pineros@catholiccharitiesdov.org.
Mass was celebrated outdoors on the Academic Mall in front of the Thomas & Shelby Prince Building, home of the St. Mother Teresa Museum, on the Feast of St. Bartholomew, an original Apostle who was brought to Jesus by the Apostle St. Philip.
The students must also follow the example of St. Philip by inviting their friends to meet the Lord by attending Mass. “We are all called to be evangelists. We do this by the example in how we live your lives in celebration of Our Savior.”
Anne Chrzan, Diocese of Venice Director of Religious Education hosted a training session on Aug. 21, 2020 for new Parish directors at the Catholic Center in Venice. The seven new DRE’s have been with the Diocese for varying lengths of time, but the restrictions mandated by the COVID-19 Pandemic made meeting in person challenging. Previous sessions occurred through virtual meetings. The meetings were intended to inform each of the new employees what is expected of them as they serve as part of their Parish, Diocese and Universal Church.
Congratulations to Hector Fernandez, a senior at St. John Neumann Catholic High School, for being recognized by the Florida District of Key Club International with the “Leader of Leaders” award! Hector will serve as the Division 22 Lieutenant Governor for the 2020-21 school year and oversee the 11 Key Clubs in Collier County. He was chosen amongst the 72 other Lieutenant Governors from around the state to receive this award during their first Board Meeting with the Florida District.
The first day for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Venice was Aug. 17, 2020 and encompassed the usual mix of excitement, tears (children and parents) and reunions among friends. The necessary differences for the 2020-2021 Academic Year also included wellness checks, face coverings, hand washing and social distancing.
Unlike previous opening days, parents were not allowed to escort the youngest children to the classroom, causing a few anxious moments. However, even the most upset student calmed as they took in the colorful surroundings of their new home.
“It is a learning process for everyone, but the students will adapt quickly,” Suddarth said. “When the little ones came in, you could see behind the masks and in their eyes how excited everyone was to be back. This is a great day. I got two thumbs up from many of the young ones who said they were excited and ready for school.”
Jeffrey Ball, Enrique (Rick) Castro, Ramiro Hernandez, Jack W. Milholland Jr., Roberto Pagán, Vern W. Smith, and Dr. William Soscia reached the altar of Epiphany Cathedral in Venice by very different paths.
Deacons Ball of Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria; Castro of St. Cecilia Parish, Fort Myers; Hernandez of St. Michael Parish, Wauchula; Milholland of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Lakewood Ranch; Pagán of Jesus the Worker Parish, Fort Myers; Smith of St. Martha Parish, Sarasota; and Soscia of St. Joseph Parish, Bradenton, are examples of men who chose to give their lives to Jesus Christ in this unique way, Bishop Dewane noted.
During his homily, the Bishop also took time to thank the wives of the Deacons for their effort in joining their husbands sacramentally, through marriage, on this spiritual journey. He noted that the partnership they have, and the support from the whole family has helped to shape the new Deacons into who they are today: men of God.
After the homily, the candidates came forward, and the Bishop asked them whether they were willing to accept the responsibilities of the ministry: to live in humble charity, to hold fast to the mystery of the faith, to celebrate the liturgy of hours with and for the People of God, and to maintain and deepen their prayer lives. To each question, the candidates responded, “I do.” Then each individually approached and kneeled before Bishop to give their promise of obedience to the Bishop and his successors.
The group has a story to tell having had their spring semester disrupted by a global pandemic. Many have had to go through quarantine at some point during that period. In fact, quarantine is again necessary as they return to seminary either in Miami; Boynton Beach; Rome, Italy; or Weston, Mass.
The group witnessed the priestly ordination of one of their own in June 2020, and another was ordained a Transitional Deacon in April 2020. In addition, before returning to seminary, Seminarian Alexander Pince will also be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane expressed his profound gratitude to the Poor Clare Sisters for their response to God while remarking how the ongoing global pandemic has forced many into isolation, which he prays has encouraged the faithful to use that time growing closer to the Lord.
The introduction of the Diocesan School Reopening Plan opens with a statement from Father John Belmonte, SJ, Superintendent of Catholic Education: “Over the past four months, we have learned in a deeper way, the value and importance of our Catholic Schools. As we prepare to reopen our schools, let us remain focused on Christ who is the reason for our schools, the reason we teach, and the reason why we will gather, prudently and safely.”
The Assumption of Mary (Aug. 15, 2020) commemorates the end of Mary’s earthly life and assumption, when she was raised in soul and body to Heaven. It is one of the most important feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Holy Day of Obligation when the faithful are required to attend Mass (either in person or via livestreaming).
To do this, the staff at St. Leo the Great Parish came up with “St. Leo Shares – A fundraiser event to make your mouth water.” Starting at 3 p.m. each Thursday afternoon there is a drive-thru for take-out food at the Parish Life Center in Bonita Springs. The menu regularly changes, therefore, on Aug. 6, 2020 the offerings from local caterer Frisco’s were a slice of Cuba with a cost of $15 per meal.
