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Catholic Charities, Inc. Domestic Violence Programs

Raise money for Catholic Charities, Inc. Domestic Violence Programs

The mission of Catholic Charities is to be a visible sign of Christ’s love by helping those who are unable to help themselves; the poor and vulnerable, especially children, women, and families. This is especially true when it comes to programs that help break the cycle of domestic violence and sexual assault. Catholic Charities has a full slate of victim services programs to shelter and assist victims of domestic violence and their families. 

In Jackson, the Shelter for Battered Families (2nd domestic violence center in Mississippi) was developed in May 1980 after several violent incidents within the community. Catholic Charities, Inc. acted by opening a shelter program for women and children. Initially, the program began serving victims from across the state until legislation was passed supporting domestic violence programs and identifying highway patrol districts as the service areas. Father Elvin Sunds and Linda Raff were instrumental in working with the legislature to ensure funding for domestic violence programs. They also helped to develop the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The domestic violence program has witnessed enhanced shelter services providing emergency care for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. 

Shortly thereafter, Catholic Charities went on to establish the Rape Crisis Center for sexual assault victims, and the Karitas Daycare for children of domestic violence. In the 1990’s Catholic Charities expanded its domestic violence and sexual assault programs to Natchez with the opening of the Guardian Shelter for Battered Families, the Guardian Sexual Assault Center and Guardian Thrift Store.

And almost 40 years later, we are excited to say we are continuing to innovate and improve the delivery of our domestic violence services in Jackson and Natchez. Just this past year in Jackson, Catholic Charities was weeks away for opening a state of the art shelter for domestic violence when it suffered fire damage from a house that burned down next door. This setback is only temporary. We expect by late 2018 to complete the rebuild and move in with an added playground on the property next door where the fire occurred. This new shelter, once completed, will allow us to serve and shelter more victims of domestic violence and their children.  

We can never say thank you enough to our generous supporters of our programs at Catholic Charities! 

Teams

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Recent donors

Recent donors
Date Name Amount
Oct 18 Anonymous $27.48
Oct 17 Kathryn Romero $11.50
Oct 17 Anonymous Undisclosed amount
Oct 17 Anonymous $27.48
Oct 17 Michael McDonald $54.10
Oct 17 Anonymous Undisclosed amount
Oct 17 Anonymous $107.35
Oct 16 Anonymous $27.48
Oct 15 Anonymous $6.18
Oct 15 Kimberly Cook Nelson Undisclosed amount