Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey names new Executive Director, Ana Ventura Phares

Seaside, California – Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey has named Ana Ventura Phares, J.D. as  Executive Director of the agency. Ana’s background in human resources, non-profits, law, and civic participation will help to lead the agency in its strategic direction. As Executive Director, Ana will strengthen the programs that help individuals and families become stable. She will also expand community support to increase self-sufficiency. In this role, Ana will oversee 23 staff in the 4 counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito and San Luis Obispo.

Ana grew up on the Central Coast and her family worked in the agricultural industry in Salinas. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Santa Clara University and her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She worked in Santa Cruz County Government for 20 years, and served on the Watsonville City Council and the Board of Directors for Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz.

“I am excited to work with the dedicated staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and the Bishop to continue our mission to provide help and create hope. I look forward to developing new partnerships in the community and strengthening our relationships to maximize resources to prevent and reduce poverty on the Central Coast. With your help, I am honored to advance the Catholic Charities mission of compassion and social justice. We ask ourselves, who is our neighbor in need and how can we help them?”

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, Chairperson Chris Panetta welcomes Ana to the agency.

Catholic Charities provides the following programs: Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance, Tattoo Removal, Immigration and Citizenship, Nutrition Education, and Cal Fresh and Medi-Cal outreach.

For more information, like us on Facebook!

https://catholiccharitiesdom.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Catholic-Charities-Names-New-Executive-Director-News-Release.pdf 


Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey Awarded $100,000 to Support Families on Central Coast

Seaside, California – Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey announces receipt of a $100,000 grant from Monterey Peninsula Foundation for operating support to increase the self-sufficiency and financial stability of low-income residents in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.

Low income families face complex issues that may trigger a financial crisis at any time due to unemployment, health related issues, unexpected debt, reduced income, and/or seasonal work. According to the Center for Community Economic Development, 42.3% of Monterey County and 36.2% of Santa Cruz County falls below the self-sufficiency line.

The funds granted by MPF will be used over two years to provide comprehensive client support, case management, and immediate basic needs for families in crisis. Ana Ventura Phares, Interim Executive Director, says in regards to the award, “This generous grant will provide much needed services for
our neighbors in need here on the central coast.”

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey provides rental and utility assistance between the months of November and January, as well as long-term financial education, budgeting and savings strategies for families, immigration and citizenship support and tattoo removal.

 


Terrie Iacino to Retire as Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey's Executive Director

Seaside, California – Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey announces that Terrie Iacino, Executive Director, will
retire effective August 15, 2018.

Terrie Iacino transitioned from Interim Director to Executive Director in February 2012. For seven years she has
helped bring local, regional, statewide and national attention to the work that Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey
accomplishes in the four counties on the central coast of California.

The hallmarks of Terrie’s tenure are strong core agency services, expanded the geographic reach, advanced
organizational effectiveness and an increase in the base of financial support for Catholic Charities. Terrie says, “I have
been privileged to serve with an extraordinary team of board members, professionals, donors and volunteers at
Catholic Charities focused on client services. It has been work that impassioned me, nurtured me and made me
proud.”

Terrie established the Saint Toribio Romo Legacy Fund to offset the costs for any client and their qualifying family
members who seek specialized immigration and citizenship services. To many, Saint Toribio Romo is known as a
patron of migrants.

Attorney and former Catholic Charities board member, Ana Ventura-Phares, will begin as Interim Executive
Director on August 1, 2018 to as the Board of Directors implements a robust search for the new Executive Director.

We are deeply grateful to Terrie for her dedication to the mission of Catholic Charities to reduce poverty on the
Central Coast. We wish her well on her next journey.


Diocese of Monterey Bishop Richard Garcia dies, 71

Bishop Richard Garcia's life and legacy will be remembered fondly at Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey. May he rest in eternal peace.

From KSBW.com (Click link below for redirect)

This is a wonderful summary of the highlights of his life and the schedule of the funeral services.


Hope Hope In Home Volunteer Opportunity

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey has opened the Hope in Home Rental Assistance program for the 2017 season. This program services individuals and families in the community by offering rental and utility assistance (on a limited basis). We receive more calls for assistance than we have resources to support. We are in dire need to find 4 to 6 compassionate and loving individuals to work in our office for a minimum 2 hours a week to make return phone calls to clients through November, December and January 2018. We have training, a full script and phones for them to use, we are simply in need of manpower. Bi-lingual is a plus, but not necessary to help with the return calls.

Are you interested in volunteering?

Email: mamos@catholiccharitiescentralcoast.org


Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions

Andorra Bruno
Specialist in Immigration Policy
September 6, 2017

On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, an Obama Administration initiative, was being rescinded. A
related memorandum released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that same day
rescinded the 2012 memorandum that established DACA and described how DHS would
“execute a wind-down of the program.” According to the September 2017 memorandum, DHS
will continue to adjudicate certain DACA requests and will not terminate previously issued grants
of deferred action or employment authorization “solely based on the directives in this
memorandum.”

DACA was established in June 2012, when DHS announced that certain individuals without a
lawful immigration status who were brought to the United States as children and met other
criteria would be considered for temporary relief from removal. To request DACA (initial or
renewal), an individual has to file specified forms with DHS’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) and pay associated fees. USCIS’s decision on an initial DACA request or a
renewal request is discretionary. DACA recipients are not granted a lawful immigration status and
are not put on a pathway to a lawful immigration status. They are, however, considered to be
lawfully present in the United States during the period of deferred action.

Cumulatively, through March 31, 2017, USCIS approved 787,580 initial DACA requests and
799,077 renewal requests. The overall approval rates for DACA requests accepted and decided by
March 31, 2017, were approximately 92% for initial requests and 99% for renewals.

To date, Congress has considered, but never enacted, legislation on the DACA initiative. Several
bills introduced in the 115th Congress would provide different forms of immigration protection to
unauthorized childhood arrivals who satisfy specified eligibility criteria. Some of these bills
would provide temporary protection from removal and employment authorization to eligible
individuals, while other measures would establish pathways for eligible individuals to become
U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs).

This report provides answers to frequently asked questions about the DACA initiative.

https://catholiccharitiesdom.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DACA-copy.pdf


Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey Statement on DACA

A note from the desk of Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey Executive Director, Terrie Iacino:

As many of you already know the administration has rescinded the DACA program effective today. Many of our clients are fearful of the consequences. We understand that Congress has been given 6 months to come up with a legislative solution for this part of the immigration landscape.

In the meantime we cannot assist anyone to apply for a new DACA status – New DACA has closed.

All of those who are ready to file for their 2 year extension should connect with our immigration offices as it seems possible to file these extensions until October 16, 2017.

We will keep everyone informed as new developments emerge on this issue.

Our message is for our clients and their families is not to panic – there is time to sort everything out and we pray that Congress acts on a new solution for the 780,000 current DACA in our country.


CCUSA Joint Letter Supporting DACA to President Trump

Dear Mr. President,
As uncertainty surrounding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program continues
with untold consequences, we write to strongly urge you to continue to support this vital program.
The Catholic Bishops have long supported DACA youth and continue to do so. We believe that the
dignity of every human being, particularly that of our children and youth, must be protected. An
estimated 800,000 young people have received and benefitted from the DACA program. Through our
parishes and over 300 Catholic Charities, CLINIC and other affiliated member and partner agencies,
we have had the privilege of meeting and working with tens of thousands of these outstanding
individuals who are so much a part of who we are. They are contributors to our economy, veterans of
our military, academic standouts in our universities, and leaders in our parishes and communities.
Your decision to continue this program would ensure that young people can continue to work, study,
and be protected from deportation while Congress debates broader legislative fixes to our broken
immigration system. A decision to end this program would turn our nation’s back on immigrant youth
who are seeking to reach their full God-given potential and fulfill the promise of gratefully giving back
to the only country most have ever known.
At the heart of Catholic Social Teaching is the moral obligation to protect the life and dignity of every
human being, particularly the most vulnerable, which includes our youth. These young people were
brought to the United States by their parents whose desire was to provide their children with hope,
opportunity, and safety that they could never hope to find in their countries of birth.
Mr. President, your administration once again has an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate, both
now and to future generations, our nation’s spirit of generosity and compassion. We hope and pray
that you make the right decision to continue the DACA program for the benefit of not only these
amazing youth, but our nation as a whole.
Sincerely,

Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez
Chairman
USCCB Committee on
Migration

Sr. Donna Markham OP, PhD
President and CEO
Catholic Charities USA

Jeanne M. Atkinson, Esq.
Executive Director
Catholic Legal Immigration
Network Inc. (CLINIC)


Covered California Deadline to Sign-up Approaches

Covered California Deadline to Sign-up Approaches

Seaside, California – Open enrollment for the Covered California health insurance program is slated to end on February 15th. Open Enrollment is the one time during the year when most Californians who need insurance cannot be denied by a health plan and the program offers all individuals - sick or healthy - the opportunity to get the health insurance coverage and medical care they need. Certified Enrollment Counselors for the Covered California Health Care program are available through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey. Counselors are able to determine eligibility of applicants and to assist with applications at Catholic Charities’ offices located in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties.

Catholic Charities has now extended hours in three of its offices: Seaside, Watsonville, and San Luis Obispo, to serve those interested in signing up for Covered California. Certified Enrollment Counselors are also available on Wednesdays, from noon until 8:00 p.m.

For information about outreach events, appointment availability and special extended hours,
residents are encouraged to call the office closest to where they live or work:

Santa Cruz: (831) 431-6939
Watsonville: (831) 722-2675
Salinas: (831) 422-0602
Seaside: (831) 393-3110
San Luis Obispo: (805) 541-9110

Financial assistance is available through Covered California in the form of a tax credit to people
who qualify, based on household size and income. The amount is based on a sliding scale, which means
the lower your income, the more help you can receive. Nine out of 10 applicants are eligible for financial
assistance. Those without health insurance, or with an exemption, will have to pay a penalty when filing
their taxes.

Since January 2, 2015, Catholic Charities has reached over 1,000 households (in its four-county
service area), determining eligibility, assisting with sign-ups for those who qualify for the Affordable
Care Act health insurance program in California, and providing outreach and education about the
program.
# # #


Catholic Charities Assisting with Covered California Sign-ups

Catholic Charities Assisting with Covered California Sign-ups

Seaside, California – Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey began assisting with Covered California enrollment applications on January 2, 2015. Through a contract with the State of California, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey staff have achieved their certification to help community members determine eligibility and to assist with sign-ups for those who qualify for the Affordable Care Act health insurance program in California.

These Certified Enrollment Counselors at Catholic Charities will be available to determine qualified applicants and to assist with applications throughout Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo counties.

For information about outreach events, appointment availability, and special extended hours, call the office closest to you:

Santa Cruz: (831) 316-9121
Watsonville: (831) 722-2675
Salinas: (831) 422-0602
Seaside: (831) 393-3110
San Luis Obispo: (805) 541-9110
# # #