Catholic Charities to expand Neighbor to Neighbor -

Special to The Message

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Evansville has announced plans to expand the organization’s Neighbor to Neighbor program. Catholic Charities will train new volunteers to be facilitators who will help lead the Neighbor to Neighbor program. Volunteers will expand their understanding of community needs and the potential to create community change. The program is a faith-based, life-skills-education program that helps families move away from financial dependence on social service agencies and move towards self-sufficiency.

Don Chaudoin, left Welborn Baptist Foundation board member and Christ-Centered Living Subcommittee Chair, is shown with Denise Seibert Townsend, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and Kristy Herr, Coordinator of Community Outreach Services for Catholic Charities. Submitted photo courtesy of the Welborn Baptist Foundation

Participants focus on goal-setting in the areas of finance, faith, health and community. Upon the successful completion of the Neighbor to Neighbor program, participants earn a voucher toward their rent, utilities or other appropriate expense that will move the person forward to help achieve their goals.

Support for the expansion is being provided through a $50,000 grant from the Welborn Baptist Foundation. In addition, the Foundation will provide Catholic Charities up to an additional $25,000 in matching funds for each dollar raised by Catholic Charities. In total, Welborn Baptist Foundation will provide Catholic Charities $75,000 in funding if Catholic Charities raises $25,000 in matching funds.

Catholic Charities currently offers the Neighbor to Neighbor program in Vanderburgh County. This grant will enable Catholic Charities to expand the program to at least three additional counties in the next two years.

“We are grateful for the support of the Welborn Baptist Foundation and excited for the opportunity to involve more community members, both as participants and volunteers, of the Neighbor to Neighbor program. This program is a journey that strengthens families and communities,” said Denise Seibert Townsend, Director of Catholic Charities.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or attending the Neighbor to Neighbor program, please call Catholic Charities at 812-423-5456.

If you are interested in making a donation to help Catholic Charities meet its $25,000 fundraising goal needed for the grant matching funds, please contact Denise Seibert Townsend at 812-423-5456 or [email protected]. Contributions may be mailed to Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville; 2111 Stringtown Road; Evansville, IN 47711.