Plan, promote, implement and supervise caring programs for members and non-members in need of essential material goods such as food, clothing and shelter. Promote concern and care for the emotional and physical well being of members of the congregation community. Interface with local and national social ministry organizations and agencies, especially those related to our church, to provide information and enlist support.
Committee Members: Linda Head, Chair; Gayle Craun, Mary Beth Doubet,
Fr. Scott Jenkins, Hilary Lancaster, Fr. Jim McDonald, M. L. Winfrey, Kay McNamara and Jon Wallace.
Call Linda at 720-685-0445 for further information.
In July 2007 the results of a survey of the people at Holy Family concluded that this Committee focuses its support to the following:
A response to families who become homeless by providing shelter, meals, comprehensive assistance and encouragement towards self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
The IHN is a “family only” shelter offering 24 hours of shelter for up to 90 days. In the beginning, there was only one “rotation” of 13 host congregations. Today there are two rotations of host congregations. The first rotation was set up in Denver and Arapahoe Counties and the second in the west metro area in Jefferson and Douglas Counties. This year, the IHN celebrated its 10th year in Denver. The IHN employs two full-time and two part-time staff with more than 1000 volunteers throughout the metropolitan area. Holy Family is a support parish for Christ the Savior Lutheran Church. We assist in the care of IHN families when they are housed at Christ the Savior for one-week periods. Approximately every three months, the families make Christ the Savior their home.
A faith-based community helping families make the transformation to healthy interdependent living.
(part of Mile High Ministries)
During 2006, approximately 52 families (63 adults and 100 children) received temporary housing and support services at Joshua Station.
The plan for 2008 is to Spruce-A-Room at Joshua Station, providing the basic needs, making necessary repairs and doing a thorough cleaning before another family makes it their temporary home.
Dedicated to educating the public about the spiritual wounds left in the wake of profound childhood abuses, and offers workshops to help facilitate the healing and recovery from those spiritual wounds.
An orientation meeting is planned for January 12, 2008 to introduce Mary’s Hope to Holy Family and other faith communities in Aurora.
Aurora and Arapahoe County Healthy Start Project
For several years, a baby shower has been held at the Annual Holy Family Picnic. This event has become an important part of our Aurora community outreach and is vital to the work done by the Health Start Project. Much needed clothing and equipment for babies and toddlers is provided by our families and are presented to the MCPN Healthy Start Project for distribution to mothers and babies in the community.
In October, the Holy Family Community Outreach Committee was presented the 2007 Marilyn Sandholm “Little Things Mean A Lot” Award by the Aurora Coalition for Community Services (AACCS). While this award was presented to the committee, it is truly an award that belongs to the people of Holy Family who give generously without expecting anything in return.
Jesse Tree
The Jesse Tree became a part of the Advent journey for Holy Family when families in our own faith community found themselves in serious financial straits during the holiday season. The Jesse Tree continues to answer the Christmas gift giving needs of extended families in our community. A Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments labeled with gift suggestions which Holy Family parishioners select and purchase for a family (or families) who are predetermined by Fr. Scott. The gifts, primarily gift cards, are presented to the parents of the family who then go shopping for their children. In this way, the parents are able to enjoy the holiday shopping and giving experience.
Catholic Charities
The Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center located in downtown Aurora serves the community in numerous ways, including basic food items and paper products, victim’s assistance, limited financial aid for housing and public service. Holy Family has been committed to Catholic Charities for several years. We are now focusing on the following two programs.
Lenten Bags
Almost from the beginning, Holy Family parish, adults and children alike, have participated in the Lenten Bags project. Before Ash Wednesday, the children decorate grocery bags which are distributed at masses throughout the Lenten season. Adult and child personal care items, paper products and household cleaners are collected and presented at the altar at masses on Sundays during the Lenten season. Donations are taken to the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Center for distribution.
Christmas Food Basket Distribution
A week before Christmas each year, Catholic Charities conducts a food basket distribution for families in the community who have special needs. The food baskets include everything needed to prepare a festive Christmas dinner. Along with other faith community and student groups, Holy Family assists with unloading food, preparing baskets and carrying boxes to cars.
Our meetings are currently held on the 2nd Sunday of the month from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. at The Coffee Scene (across the street). Come join us to see if you would like to be a part of this meaningful ministry.
(no formal meeting in December)
