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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Michael Iglio, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Bishop Michael Olson.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Krischelle Cook.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Larry Anfin, left, and Chris Jordan.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
More than 625 attended.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Miranda Sweeney.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Board member Al Lobo.
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Catholic Charities Fort Worth
Board member Breda Shelton introduced the bishop.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth raised almost twice its goal at its annual Christmastime luncheon at the Will Rogers Round Up Inn at the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Center.
Officials there said the Creating Hope Luncheon last week raised more than $850,000 on a $450,000 objective.
“I’m incredibly proud of my staff and our strong community partnerships, which help the thousands we serve overcome life’s obstacles and build their bigger brighter future — a life free from poverty,” said Michael Iglio, CEO and president of Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
More than 625 attended to “support our mission to relentlessly end poverty through holistic, evidence-based solutions.” Ninety-three cents of every dollar donated is devoted to Catholic Charities programs, officials said.
The nonprofit’s Padua Program has moved more than 6,000 families out of poverty. The program includes a detailed assessment, service plan, small caseloads, case management, and flexible financial resources. The model focuses on partnerships, particularly with local community colleges, to efficiently connect clients to services.
The Lab for Economic Opportunities has put Catholic Charities Fort Worth’s Padua program in its laboratory for research, having completed two research randomized control trials. Both validated the success of the programs.
“Ultimately, we’re helping individuals who are unstable,” says Michael Iglio, CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth. “Unstable in finances, unstable in employment, unstable in whatever it might be in life, and we help them through long-term coaching as an accountability partner, as a coach, to learn the skills that are necessary to find a life to thrive in a level of stability for their whole family.”
Said Paul Ryan, the former U.S. Speaker of the House who has visited Catholic Charities Fort Worth and is an admirer of the program: “What the Padua Project is doing is more than just helping people get jobs or improve housing — they’re helping them achieve their God-given potential, building a more just society.”
Bishop Michael Olson, leader of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, opened lunch with the benediction.
Speakers at the event included clients Krischelle Cook and Miranda Sweeney, who shared their journeys of overcoming adversity with the support of Catholic Charities programs.
Board members Breda Shelton and Al Lobo also spoke.
