Natalia

Wings of Generosity: The Adventurous Life of Kenneth Stevens

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Kenneth Stevens was a man whose life was marked by adventure, generosity and a deep sense of purpose. Through his thoughtful planning and selfless giving, his contributions to Catholic Charities and his local community will continue to uplift and support those in need. In January 2023, Ken unfortunately passed away. “It was bittersweet when Ken … Read more

Kentucky Head Start: Embracing Language Diversity

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Step inside the vibrant walls of our Catholic Charities Head Start Kentucky location, and you will immediately sense the electric energy of language diversity. Kentucky is a Head Start program designed specifically for families who meet specific financial needs and criteria. What sets this location apart is its one-of-a-kind bilingual classroom, where English and Spanish … Read more

Mariposa Early Childhood Education Center: A Holistic Approach for Students Success

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Mariposa Early Childhood Education center proudly opened its doors in 2012. The building was specifically designed and built for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and features six specialized classrooms that cater to the distinct needs of every child, allowing them to thrive and reach their full potential. Mariposa, which is one of six early childhood … Read more

Doing Something Radical

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Will Hayes is a first-year Jesuit novice who is on a mission to Samaritan House, committed to working with the poor and helping those who need an extra helping hand. With one more year of service ahead of him before taking his vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Will is fully committed to his calling. … Read more

Avery’s Blanket Drive: How a Birthday Sleepover Turned into a Life-changing Mission

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Four years ago, when Avery was planning her 8th birthday party, she decided that she was going to ask for blankets instead of gifts from her friends. She told her parents that she didn’t want anyone to be cold. Her dad challenged her to “think bigger” which sparked the conversation around hosting a large-scale blanket … Read more

1,500 Days of Making a Difference

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Since 2017, Bob D’Ascoli has volunteered almost every weekday at Samaritan House on Lawrence Street. That adds up to more than 1,500 days that Bob has devoted to helping our participants at the Catholic Charities’ ministry. Amazing! His smiling face wakes up our participants at breakfast and he brings tremendous energy and positivity to everyone … Read more

Walking Toward a Brighter Day Thanks to Catholic Charities’ Partner Wholly Kicks

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When volunteers from Wholly Kicks set up shop at Catholic Charities, the women who call Samaritan House 48th home, if only temporarily, were thrilled. Within an hour, over 220 guests had new shoes. As they waited in line, they sounded like friends who were shoe shopping, chatting about what kind of new shoes they wanted … Read more

“Thank you for all the gifts I’ve received…” A Letter of Gratitude from a Marian Plaza  Resident

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“I can’t begin to tell you how thankful and grateful I am for all the gifts I received,” said Mary Onosco, a resident of Marian Plaza, in a thank you letter she sent to Catholic Charities of Denver.  

Mary, who is 89 years strong, found herself in need of assistance. A rough divorce partnered with the lack of family in the area, she leaned on community resources that connected her to affordable housing. Since 2017, Marian Plaza has given Mary a sense of home. “Marian Plaza is home to me. My friends are here, and I couldn’t be happier,” said Mary, who spends most of her days coloring. 

Marian Plaza is one of 30 affordable housing properties across Northern Colorado run by Catholic Charities of Denver. It provides 121 affordable housing units to Colorado seniors. Mary loves her one-bedroom apartment and enjoys her cozy living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.  

The staff fosters community at Marian Plazathat keeps residents active and healthy. Residents are given monthly activity calendars that are filled with social, educational and necessary activities such as trips to the grocery store and shopping centers. During scheduled activities and downtime, seniors are encouraged to socialize with other residents. These structured programs help seniors maintain a high quality of life and provide them with independence, mobility and transportation when needed.  

Mary was one of the Adopt-A-Family recipients, a holiday drive sponsored by Catholic Charities of Denver which matches compassionate donors with families and individuals who need a little assistance during the holiday season. “The gifts I received were things I really needed. Items such as clothing and household items were gifts that I deeply appreciated,” said Mary.  

 Throughout the year, there are several Catholic Charities’ programs and events that help our residents. Learn more about all of them here and find out how you can help. 

We are grateful that Mary took the time to express her gratitude to our team and everyone who helps us support neighbors and transform lives.