Catholic Charities news
Theresa Ruzicka, president of Catholic Charities of St. Louis, reports that the Catholic Charities of St. Louis COVID Relief Call Center helped distribute Cares Act funding for city and county residents through June 30. To date, the Call Center has distributed direct aid to more than 2,100 people, totaling more than $2.5 million, including $517,710 of private donor funds and $255,000 in private grants. Ruzicka’s report is included in the summer 2021 edition of Catholic Charities Community Call. See more at www.bit.ly/3lQbszX.
Pro-life video challenge
Young people age 13-39 are invited to enter the 2021 Respect Life Apostolate’s Pro-Life Video Challenge. The winner receives a cash prize for a 1-5 minute video on the theme, “Walking with Moms in Mercy and Joy.” Winners will be invited to the 45th Annual Convention on Sunday, Oct. 17, at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The winning video will be announced and played during the convention. The 2021 contest runs through Sept. 30. For information, call (314) 792-7555 or email [email protected].
Olympic glory
Two graduates of Catholic schools in the archdiocese won medals in the recent Olympics. They are Napheesa Collier, Incarnate Word Academy, gold medal in women’s basketball; and Jayson Tatum, Chaminade College Preparatory High School, gold medal in men’s basketball. Tatum scored 19 points in the championship game. Unbeaten from start to finish, the women’s basketball team defeated Japan in the final. It’s the seventh consecutive women’s basketball gold medal for the U.S. team.
Movie night
“Toy Story 4” will be shown on the field in front of St. Agnes Home, 10341 Manchester Road, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. The Night Under the Stars event is a fundraiser for the home to recover from some of the financial impact of COVID-19. Guests are urged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. There is no charge, but donations are requested. Seating and parking is limited, so reservations may be made by calling Joanne Giljum at (314) 965-7616. For information, call Giljum or email her at
[email protected]. St. Agnes Home is a 105-bed, nonprofit, intermediate care nursing facility and assisted living home that employs over 100 essential workers in Kirkwood. The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus and the staff at St. Agnes Home strive to provide a real home for seniors where they can enjoy life warmed by the love of Christ.
Behavioral health grant
A team of researchers from Saint Louis University has received a new, four-year $1.8 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish the Integrated Behavioral Health Practice Fellowship for Children and Youth. The grant will train professionals across disciplines to work with children, adolescents and transitional-age youth with complex behavioral health needs. This population is at an increased risk for a range of adverse health and social outcomes including homelessness, violence, incarceration, depression, PTSD, suicide, victimization, chronic health conditions and early death. More than 36% of this population in Missouri is identified as living in a mental health professional shortage area. Katie Heiden-Rootes, associate professor in medical family therapy, is the principal investigator on the grant. The interdisciplinary team includes Annie Garner, associate professor of psychology; Alicia Barnes, assistant professor, psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience; and Michael Mancini, associate professor of social work. The Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Grant funding will be used to increase the overall capacity of the behavioral health (BH) workforce serving youth and their families who are vulnerable to developing or who have developed a recognized behavioral health disorder in the St. Louis Metro Area.