Noteworthy News
Catholic Charities would like for you to know about what exciting things are happening or will be happening in the life of our ministry. Please find noteworthy news below beginning with the most recent. If you need further assistance, or would like to contact someone regarding news inquiries, please >> click here.
5/17/12
Catholic Charities "Word Cloud"
Catholic Charities is celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2012. In honor of this landmark, they asked every staff-person at the agency to submit the words that best describes the work that they do and used those words to create the word cloud shown below. The words that appear larger are those that were submitted more frequently, to create a visual representation of the values of Catholic Charities. 
12/29/11
2011 -- A Year to Remember
Although 2011 brought many challenges, it was a great year. Please take a moment to click on the link below and reflect on a very full and blessed year:
 |
Rosemary Echevarria, Catholic Charities' Senior Development Officer |
2/10/11 Auto Show's Black-tie Event Helps Local Agency |
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet participated in the 2011 First Look for Charity event held at McCormick Place in Chicago on February 10th. The event raised over $100,000 and proceeds will be used to support the operations of Catholic Charities’ programs including Daybreak Center in Joliet, Foster Care and Maternity Services, and other programs benefitting children, families and seniors.
Catholic Charities’ guests got the “first look” at the Chicago Auto Show and also enjoyed the amenities of the agency’s private hospitality suite that featured incredible hors d’oeuvres, a specialty martini bar, professional portrait photographer and gift bags for the ladies. This year the event also featured the talents of K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Finally, guests of Catholic Charities enjoyed warm chocolate chip cookies and gourmet coffee at the end of the fabulous night.
Special thanks were given to corporate package sponsors including D’Arcy Buick-GMC & D’Arcy Hyundai-Volkswagen, Panduit Corporation, Shaw, Stone & Webster, Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel, J.C. Restoration, Inc. and Chicagoland Ford Dealers. Room sponsors included McGrath Office Equipment, Demark, Inc., Chicago Equity Partners and Laner, Muchin, Dombrow, Becker, Levin and Tominberg, Ltd. Gift bags were also made possible by H2O +, L’Oreal, Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, Tara Bella Salon, and World’s Finest Chocolate.
This was Catholic Charities sixth year as a benefactor of the elite fundraiser.
 |
Nick Triani at Hope House on the day of his departure to his new career on a cruise line in Alaska |
10/7/10 Great News at Hope House! |
Over the past three months, 92% of homeless adults that lived at Hope House Shelter obtained employment! Given the challenges with the economy and unemployment rates, this is something we are very proud of!
We wanted to share our good news with you. Hope House is a unique shelter program operated by Catholic Charities in DuPage County. While we know that DuPage County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country, we also see lots of families there that are struggling with poverty and homelessness. With staff and resources stretched to the brink, we are proud of this accomplishment. We think you’ll be too!
 |
Chuck Millington, Regina Millington, and Bishop J. Peter Sartain of the Joliet Diocese |
9/19/10 The Spirit of Charity Award |
Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “Do little bits of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Chuck and Regina Millington know all about those “little bits”. From the time Chuck joined the Catholic Charities Local Area Advisory Board in DuPage County in 2000, this dynamic duo have been changing and saving lives in countless ways.
In 2003 Chuck was elected to the Corporate Board of Directors at Catholic Charities and served as a member of the Finance Committee for 10 years. He was also elected Treasurer and currently serves the Board and the Agency in that role. While Chuck’s “heavy dose of fiscal discipline” (as he calls it) has always guided Catholic Charities, it has never been more prevalent or needed than in the past three years when the agency and the country have struggled financially. He has spent countless hours toiling over budgeting issues, investment options, and advising administrative staff. His strong financial background has served the agency well.
Regina Millington’s smile and laughter can brighten anyone’s day, but it’s her commitment to help those in need that is most admirable. Regina has spent countless hours caring for God’s oldest children at St. Patrick’s Residence in Naperville. In her role there, she has undoubtedly touched the lives of many seniors, and also scored some great items from their gift shop for the Catholic Charities’ Playing for Miracles Auction – an event the Millington’s have attended every year for the past ten years.
This amazing and humble couple has clearly shown us God’s love and compassion for the poor and those in need, especially at Catholic Charities. Whether it’s their attendance at one of our events, their hands-on help with the Back to School Fair in DuPage, Chuck’s dedication to helping us balance our budget and look ahead to the next fiscal year, or the prayers I know they offer for those we serve, they are the Spirit of Charity.