In this Newsletter
- Welcome to 2026 Volunteering!
- Meet the New Volunteer Team
- Emily Tayler, Volunteer Coordinator
- Matthew Scott, Parish Relations Coordinator
- Holiday Cheer! The Child Welfare Annual Christmas Party!
- Sharing Your Story with the Community
- Volunteer Spotlight
- Volunteers Changing Lives
- New Volunteer Opportunities
Welcome to 2026 Volunteering!
Thank you for giving your time, energy and heart to make our world a better place. Because of the hours you've shared we have been able to support so many people and families this year- and we couldn't have done it without you! In times like these giving back is vital to the well-being of our neighbors- and it can also be a meaningful way to stay connected during the winter months. Finding space to serve and connect during the colder days brings a deep sense of grounding and nourishment. We have so many fun and exciting things to share for volunteers in the New Year. Stay tuned!
Pat, Crista, Russ, Mary & Emily with Santa at the Child Welfare Christmas Party
Meet the New Volunteer Team
We are thrilled to join this organization and community!
Matthew Scott, Parish Relations Coordinator
Switching careers from serving food and drink to serving neighbors in need Matthew is excited to connect Catholic Charities mission to our spiritual base in the parishes. Matthew loves cheering for all Milwaukee sports, singing Irish folk music and holding doors for others.
Holiday Cheer! The Child Welfare Annual Christmas Party!
This December the Child Welfare program hosted another wonderful Christmas party for clients at St. Catherine's Church and Santa even made an appearance!
Helping Families: For several years the Child Welfare program has been hosting an annual Christmas party for their clients. We again met at St. Catherine's Church and through hard work and help from volunteers we had a wonderful and successful event! Volunteering at St. Catherine's: Our volunteers truly shined as they welcomed clients who came to enjoy the festivities. Holiday food was shared, gifts were given out and photos were taken with Santa. Thanks to the kindness of our donors and parishioners many families went home with gifts to place under their trees. Thank you for making this possible and for spreading so much joy--we hope you'll join us in volunteering next year!
2025 Volunteer Hours Total
Between four strong programs you all did an amazing 12,352 service hours for the community! WOW! Thank you for all that you do!
Sharing Your Story with the Community
We would love to hear your volunteer story! With a long waitlist for one-on-one ESL, and as we look to fill our volunteer shifts in four programs, we are looking to you! Do you have a friend or family member that may be interested in starting their volunteer journey? Share your story with them! Send friends and family to volunteer@ccmke.org
Volunteer Spotlight
We would love to spotlight all of the amazing work you are doing with our neighbors. We would love to see and share your story about volunteering with Catholic Charities with your peers and the community. If you would like your story in the newsletter, send it to volunteer@ccmke.org!
Volunteers Changing Lives
Today, more than 70 volunteers work alongside 130 refugee adults through Catholic Charities Refugee Integration Services. These relationships often grow into something deeper built on trust, respect and genuine care. That trust can make all the difference during moments of crisis. When a single Rohingya mother came to Catholic Charities after devastating flooding last August, she was overwhelmed. With children to care for and no work experience, she didn’t know where to turn. “She had lost so much and didn’t know what to do,” Hasnah recalls. “She was so grateful just to have someone listen.” Catholic Charities helped her with gift cards for immediate recovery needs and supported her through renewing paperwork and applying for work. Today, she is employed and is working toward earning her driver’s license. “She knew where she wanted to be,” Claire says. “She just didn’t know how to get there. Hasnah helped her gain stability and confidence step by step.”
New Volunteer Opportunities
You will begin to see new volunteer opportunities listed on Galaxy Digital! This helps strengthen our volunteer department but also gives you different options as you plan your volunteerism in the new year. Each month an Email Blast will be sent out sharing new events, opportunities and other news to get excited about If you have ideas or thoughts, always feel free to let us know by sending an email. We appreciate you!
Credits:
Created with images by YouraPechkin - "Harsh winter landscape beautiful snowy fir trees" • YouraPechkin - "Harsh winter landscape beautiful snowy fir trees"