Congratulations!
We are very happy to announce that Catholic Charities has been named a Top Workplace for the 9th time! Thank YOU for the passion and dedication you all provide to serve individuals and families across southeast Wisconsin. The impact Catholic Charities makes wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for your tireless dedication to walking alongside the people you serve every day.
This award is based entirely on your responses to Energage's anonymous employee engagement survey. Your feedback reflected what we are doing well as an agency and what we need to focus on going forward.
The Energage Employee Satisfaction survey has been a great way for staff to anonymously provide honest feedback about what is working well and where we can improve as an organization. The Top Workplace reward is a testament to the passion that each and every staff member brings to their job and their commitment to support not only their own clients but all the clients at Catholic Charities.
- Nate Braun, Director of Human Resources
We Have New Materials :)
Our tote bags, pocket folders and pens have a fresh new look! If you, your program or office did not receive these new items or need more, please let Kaci know. (keisch@ccmke.org or x3413)
Meet Our New Staff!
Have you met all of the new staff since our last newsletter? Read below to get to know who joined the Catholic Charities team!
Juliana Tinoco
Office Assistant - MAO
Juliana started as the Office Assistant at our Milwaukee office in October. She brings over 4 years of customer service experience to Catholic Charities.
Juliana was born and raised in Milwaukee. She loves watching European soccer, it was something her dad loved to do, and was later passed down to her and her brothers. Juliana attended Cardinal Stritch University and is continuing to pursue a bachelor's degree in finance.
Caitlyn Proietta
Volunteer Coordinator - CAO
Caitlyn joined the Agency in November as the Volunteer Coordinator. As a recent graduate from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry where she earned her Master's of Theological Studies, she also brings volunteer coordinating experience from her time at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center. Originally from Minnesota, Caitlyn moved to Wisconsin with her husband, Michael, as he earns his Ph.D. in theology at Marquette University.
Caitlyn’s deep Catholic faith drew her to Catholic Charities’ mission to empower the most vulnerable and help reduce poverty through quality, compassionate, and effective human services. She feels blessed to connect volunteers’ compassion to their neighbors in need. In her free time, Caitlyn paints religious artwork and photographs wildlife on her hikes. She writes theological articles for various journals and fictional Christian stories for children. In addition to her creative endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones.
Ja Seng Roi
Refugee Resettlement Systems Coordinator - RIS
Ja Seng joined Catholic Charities in February as the Refugee Resettlement Systems Coordinator. She received her B.A. in Integrated Studies with a specialization in Public Health from Alverno College in 2023.
Ja Seng grew up in Myanmar, also known as Burma. Ja Seng and her older brother migrated to the United States as refugees in 2015. Since then, she has seen how language is a big barrier for people in her new refugee community in Milwaukee. Therefore, she stepped up to help people as a volunteer Burmese and Kachin interpreter. Ja Seng is the youth treasurer and also a Sunday school teacher at her church. She feels compassionate for the situation that refugees find themselves in and wishes for them to become good citizens in the United States.
During her free time, she likes to cook and watch cooking videos on YouTube. She also enjoys walking around Lake Michigan and spending time in nature.
Welcome Back!
We are thrilled to have several former employees and interns return to Catholic Charities. Join us in welcoming them back!
Rachael Sheets
Mental Health Therapist - WAO
Rachael started as an intern in the Racine office in 2021 while she completed her schooling. She is thrilled to be back and is now serving in the Waukesha office as a therapist. Rachael appreciates Catholic Charities’ approach to making mental health care services available and accessible to all people. This not only empowers individuals, but strengthens families, increases successful educational outcomes and therefore greatly impacts one’s ability to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and generations to come.
Rachael has a Master of Social Work and a professional history helping people get connected to food, health care, and education as well as providing spiritual support and mental health crisis intervention services. In her free time, Rachael enjoys spending time on coast of Lake Michigan, trying new foods and learning about culture, language, people and discovering exciting new places to travel!
Latasha Moore-Black
Outreach Case Manager - MAO
Latasha previously worked for the Agency for more than 5 years in our Finance and Support Services departments. She returned in February as an Outreach Case Manager at our Milwaukee Office. She brings 5 years of experience to her current role.
Lastasha is excited to be back at Catholic Charities and says that her favorite thing about the Agency is the diversity. She is happy to be back at an organization with diverse clients and staff.
Latasha grew up in Peoria, Illinois, before coming to Wisconsin. During her free time, she loves to dance and spend time with her grandchildren.
Carrie Knight
Adoption Social Worker - MAO
Carrie started as the Adoption Social Worker at our Milwaukee office in October bringing over 7 years of experience to Catholic Charities. She graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from George Williams College in 2016 and previously was part of our Supported Parenting team.
She is excited to be back and looks forward to learning more about adoption.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking and playing with her sons, Caleb (5) and Levi (2). Carrie leads a local family hiking group, enjoys being outdoors and spending time with friends and crafting.
Amaidani Meyers
Immigration Attorney - RIS
Amaidani previously worked for Catholic Charities for over 3 years as an Immigration Attorney. She returned to the Agency in December to her original role at our Refugee & Immigration Services office.
We are excited to have her back and are grateful for the expertise, compassion and empathy she provides to each of her clients.
Wrapping Our Neighbors in Need, In Love
Recently, a group from St. Camillus delivered 105 handmade fleece tie blankets for the individuals and families we serve! These blankets were made through their Lenten Community Service project in which residents, employees, priests, religious sisters, family members, students and community volunteers worked together over 6 weeks to make them. Their end goal was to help wrap neighbors served by Catholic Charities in love.
Thank you to St. Camillus and everyone involved in this project! Fleece was generously donated by St. Camillus residents and employees, along with the City of West Allis, WI Government Senior Center.
Creating a Group for Parents
In the fall of 2023, our Child Welfare team decided to re-introduce a monthly Parenting Group. Erika McDade (Pregnancy & Parenting Coordinator) introduced the idea to her supervisor, Jen Layton (Director of Child Welfare), after a current client expressed what parenting group did for her and her children years ago through the program.
Shortly after, Erika began the process of finding a location for the group to meet which is now at Washington Park Library in Milwaukee. The group is held monthly on every 3rd Friday from 12:30 - 2 pm where snacks are provided and play activities are available for the children. With a safe and trusting environment established, members can share stories and parenting experiences. Through laughter, and the occasional tear, all stories are welcome and receive support.
Some topics discussed include:
- Healthy eating habits
- Breastfeeding tips
- Goal setting
- Financial planning
A reflection from Erika:
The feedback from the parenting group is they feel encouraged and loved. All clients genuinely get excited to participate in the group every month.
Sharing “this is what I’ve been through” stories with the same people at the same location provides consistency for lives that don’t always experience it.
In the next couple of months, we hope to invite community leaders and organizations to educate and offer support to the group members.
It’s an honor to see our clients come together and feel empowered as mothers, fathers and individuals. It's so important that they feel celebrated and loved as a parent so they can give that love to their children.
Refugee & Immigration Services
A Student Pro Bono Day!
Marquette University Law School's "Marquette Immigration Law Society" held their pro bono event with us for the third time!
Sixteen law students working in pairs completed 12 citizenship applications. This was their third-year volunteering, and last year each application that they completed was approved. It’s important because without citizenship some low-income families lose food stamps, BadgerCare and social security disability. The law students worked for about nine hours straight. At private bar rates, that would be $12,000 just for the applications and another $12,000 to go to the interviews — which we will do — which translates into $24,000 of free legal work.
- Barb Graham, Director of Refugee & Immigration Services
The RIS YouTube channel hit 1 million views!!
Mental Health Kit Project
Since 2021, United Way of Washington County and Catholic Charities have partnered to provide counseling and case management services in West Bend & Hartford to respond to rising calls for mental health needs.
Last year they connected with us to fund a Self-Care Kit project for youth. Our Community Counseling team came together to brainstorm items that would be beneficial to kids who may otherwise not have access to them. Items within the kit include journals, reusable water bottles, art supplies, fidget devices and more. Staff at the Central office helped create a letter insert explaining the purpose of the kit and they, along with volunteers, stuffed all 500 backpacks!
Adam Rogan is now in the process of delivering the kits to partners around Washington County — including the local Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, public and Catholic schools, the Casa Guadalupe Education Center in West Bend, and other people who serve kids in need.
This was truly a team effort. Thank you to everyone involved in this special project and to the West Bend/Hartford team: Ashley Ong, Deb VanderKinter and Tiffney Wagner.
Things Happening at the ADC
Celebrating Lizzy + Marge Birthdays!
Annual Visit from Divine Savior Holy Angels (DSHA) + Marquette University High School Students
Staff Shoutout
My Case Worker Dalia at Catholic Charities, SAVED MY LIFE! She smelled gas and I smelled nothing and never have, so I called the emergency hotline and they came out in what seemed like minutes. The technician that responded put me at ease and explained everything in detail and said to call back when I was ready and the lock would be removed. I had felt ill with no explanation for the past few years, now with no gas flowing, my physical and mental health are improving and I no longer feel tired and weak. With that said, will you please find a way to acknowledge her prompt action and follow up. It's the little accolades that sometimes makes a person stronger and more dedicated.
"Behind the Scenes"
Congratulations, Zetho!
This month, Zetho graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Social Work. He was the top of his class! A videographer came by our Refugee & Immigration Office to film a video for the commencement ceremony. Congratulations, Zetho, and thank you for everything you do to help refugees in our community!
Here is Ife and Zetho on graduation day! Ife (left) received a Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding and Zetho (right) received a Bachelor of Social Work. Please join us in congratulating them on this achievement! 🥳
A Collaboration with United Way
It all starts with planting a seed and a gentle suggestion to work together. At a United Way event in late November, Kaci and Mary met Dan Herda, the Director of Communications at United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County.
Being a fan of our mission, Dan reached out a couple months later to Ricardo and invited Catholic Charities to be a featured partner in a 2024 campaign video. Thanks to Sarah and Alexis for representing us and to all of the Child Welfare staff for an impromptu video session!
Staff Out & About
Mount Mary Internship Fair
Top Workplaces Award Ceremony
Family Generations Expo
The Adult Day Center is welcoming new members. Help us spread the word!
We have new materials to promote the ADC, a brochure and a postcard.
If you see any old ADC materials, please give them to Advancement and we will replace them. Thank you for helping us keep the most up to date information out there!