News

The New Americans Campaign

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Immigration Services is proud to be part of The New Americans Campaign, an unprecedented national effort that is paving a better path to citizenship and helping legal residents achieve their dream of becoming American citizens. The New Americans Campaign is a nonpartisan network of more than 80 legal-service providers, businesses, faith-based organizations, community leaders and foundations, working to modernize the system of naturalization assistance and to help more legal permanent immigrants become U.S. citizens.

Attaining citizenship is a journey. You have to earn it. But, for too many citizenship hopefuls, that journey is much harder than it should be. Many people who live, work, create jobs and pay taxes in this country are eligible for citizenship, yet only about eight percent of them became naturalized last year. The process is complex and can take up to two years. Lack of knowledge about how the process works, compounded by costly legal fees, can put the dream out of reach. But when new Americans gain the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship, they also contribute more fully to the vitality of our communities and our democracy as a whole.

Photos from the 2012 City of Angels Christmas Gala

Held at The California Club in downtown Los Angeles, this elegant and festive event honored the 2012 Investees of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Attendees enjoyed exquisite food and listening and dancing to the wonderful music of the Jay Sterling Orchestra. Proceeds are used to help the poor with food, clothes, shelter and job development. Photos below are by Tom Wilmshurst.

The 2013 City of Angels Christmas Gala will be held at The California Club on Firday, December 6. For information or to be included in the mailing list for that event, please contact Alexandria Arnold at (213) 251-3495.

	Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, Bishop Alexander Salazar, Archbishop José Gomez, Bishop Oscar Solis and Bishop Edward Clark
	Julie and Tom Condon, Gala Chairs and Sponsors, with Archbishop Gomez
	Cathy and Paul Tosetti, Gala Committee members and Benefactors, with Archbishop Gomez
	Maria and Richard Grant, Gala Committee members and Benefactors, enjoy the music of the Jay Sterling Orchestra.
	Monica and David Walsh, Gala Committee members and Benefactors
	Frank and Kathleen McCarthy Kostlan, Gala Committee members and Patrons
	Fiorenza Courtright Lucas and Chief Justice (Ret.) Malcolm Lucas, Gala Committee members and Patrons, with Archbishop Gomez
	On the right, Michael J. Maloney, Esq., Gala Committee member and Patron, with Greg Stanislawski
	Paul D. Tosetti, Esq., Catholic Charities' Board President, Gala Committee member, Benefactor, and sponsor for The California Club, was M.C. for the evening.
	The Norbertine Fathers of St.  Michael's Abbey sang at the Gala, courtesy of Helen and Dr. Donal Hanley.
	Lawrence P. McNeil, Gala Committee member, with Archbishop Gomez
	Harold Greene, Catholic Charities' Board member, with Archbishop Gomez and Chuckie Greene

Community Centers Treated Clients to Christmas Parties

Children of the Adeste Child Care program at El Santo Niño Community Center attended a Christmas party with pizza and cookies and received a toy from Santa Claus, aka Our Lady of Angels Regional Director, Hector Manuel Briones.  St. Margaret's Center held its annual Christmas Party at the Hollywood Park Racetrack, where 1,040 children opened gifts and enjoyed food, games and entertainment.  St. Mary's Center joined with Hope Community Church to provide a party for 90 families with food and Santa Claus, who distributed presents.  These three centers are in Our Lady of the Angels Region.

San Fernando Region's Guadalupe Center's Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program helped 417 needy families with food, clothing, and toys, with contributions from St. Bernadine, St. Mel and Our Lady of the Valley Catholic parishes.  Forty children were able to select gifts for their parents through Guadalupe Center's Christmas Boutique.  The center also hosted a Christmas party with Santa Claus and gifts for 320 children.

The San Gabriel Region served deprived families in Pomona, El Monte and East Los Angeles.  In Pomona, 40 needy families were assisted through the Adopt-a-Family Program, sponsored by St. Denis Catholic Church, and 97 families were provided with a canned ham, $50 gift card and toys.  In El Monte, 125 families were treated to food baskets, clothing, blankets, toys, diapers, baby items, hygiene products, and miscellaneous household goods.

Mary Romero, San Gabriel Regional Director, received "thank you" notes from clients who came to the Region's Christmas parties.

- "My family and I want to say thank you so much for all your help and support this Christmas. We really didn't know what we were going to do. We were homeless and didn't know where we would be or even if there would be presents this year. We will never forget your generosit and concern for our family. our prayers and thanks go out to Catholic Charities and all involved." - Carolina Garcia

- "I cannot describe what a blessing your Christmas party has been for our family. I just recently became a single mother and I also lost my job just a couple of days before Thanksgiving. I have nothing to offer my children. Every last penny I have goes to our rent and bills. This is beyond amazing! I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for us. You have given my kids a Christmas that they wouldn't have had without you. I love you for this. You are a blessing!" - Ian, Judy, Amari and Rivé

- "I thank you very much for making Christmas possible for my family. I also thank God for directing me to His people." - Sheri King

Caption: Children gather around Santa Claus (Our Lady of the Angels Regional Director, Hector Briones) at the El Santo Niño Community Center. 

Catholic Charities Participates in Community Disaster Preparedness

Catholic Charities Participates in Community Disaster Preparedness

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles participated in the Disaster Survival Fair held in the Highland Park community of Los Angeles. Residents and the general public who attended the fair learned about community disaster preparedness and survival in the event of a disaster in Los Angeles.

The agency is not a first responder like the American Red Cross, but has provided case management in the aftermath of past disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Sylmar/Morris fires in the San Fernando Valley. Staff handed out brochures and provided information about the programs and services offered by the Regions and the central programs of Catholic Charities.

Other participants at the Disaster Survival Fair included Alert L.A. County, the Community Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California Southern Baptist Convention, FEMA and the American Red Cross.

Financial Statements and Form 990

Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc released its most current statement of financial position and the related statement of activities for June 30, 2012 and 2011. The financial position of Catholic Charities as of June 30, 2012 and 2011, ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. 

Also available is the latest IRS Form 990.

To view the Audited Financial Statements, click here.

To view the IRS Form 990 , click here.