February 1, 2011 brings employees and supporters to Annapolis

      In spite of an early morning commute on icy roads, a sizeable group of Catholic Charities employees and supporters made their way to Annapolis on February 1, 2011.

“Catholic Charities Day in Annapolis is a key part of our advocacy effort,” says Regan Vaughan, Director of Social Concerns and Parish Social Ministry, who coordinates the event. “The day engages our staff in the legislative process, empowers our clients to share their stories, and educates legislators about the wide range of programs and services we offer.”

Christine Mour, community leader of The Neighborhoods at St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, testifies at a Health and Human Resources Subcommittee hearing to stress the need for a shorter application process for Medicaid Long-Term Care eligibility, which currently can take as long as 18 months.

Before the group dispersed to their appointments, Catholic Charities Executive Director Bill McCarthy urged participants to remind legislators that “the agency is a safety net for vulnerable Marylanders.”
Families That Work participant Shontal Harrell was accompanied by case managers Nina Graham and Robin Johnson of My Sister’s Place Women’s Center to meet with Delegate Maggie McIntosh.

“We shared how the population of women that we serve can benefit by having access to voucher-based housing,” says Graham. McIntosh shared that she was going to introduce a bill that supported that measure. Harrell told how the job-readiness program “offers great job search services and viable leads,” after being laid off from her job as a magazine marketer.

An important issue for Sarah’s House transitional housing program staff was continued state funding for the Service Linked Housing program that provides case management services for clients who have transitioned from the program. “We help 40-60 families a year and it’s been a valuable tool for preventing families from lapsing back into homelessness,” says Sarah’s House Director Kathryn Philliben.

Assessing the day, Vaughan says, “Having such an impressive turnout, especially during inclement weather, demonstrates to the legislators our commitment to ensuring that safety-net programs are continued and policies protecting the most vulnerable are enacted.”

Families that Work

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