Catherine McAuley Center Earns Nomination for National Award

Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most influential nonprofit evaluator, has named the Catherine McAuley Center in the large-size organization category in the 2023 Community Choice Awards. The announcement was made on National Nonprofit Day, August 17, 2023.

The nomination comes as a result of Catherine McAuley Center’s outstanding achievements, having attained a prestigious four-star rating and earned all four Charity Navigator beacons. This recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in its charitable endeavors.

The Community Choice Awards will have one winner in each size-based category: small, medium, large, and super. The determination of the winners will be based on the total number of votes received. The winners will be officially announced on September 27, 2023.

The four winning charities will receive the following:

•           Prominent visibility on Charity Navigator for one year

•           Email announcement to Charity Navigator’s audience of donors

•           Dedicated posts on Charity Navigator’s social media

•           Webinar speaking opportunity

•           Press release over the wire

Krista Murray, Executive Director, shared her appreciation, “The Catherine McAuley Center is deeply grateful for this nomination and the continued support from its community, donors, and partners. The organization remains dedicated to its mission and looks forward to making a positive impact in its community.”

To cast your vote and support Catherine McAuley Center in the Community Choice Awards, please visit the Center’s social media for a direct link and follow the instructions.

The Catherine McAuley Center has provided programs and services to those experiencing homelessness in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties since 1984. Beyond a shelter of a roof and walls, the Center’s mission is to help the community break the cycle of poverty and heal the trauma of homelessness. To learn how you can make a difference, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center at 570-342-1342.

The Catherine McAuley Center Services Continue Despite Reconstruction

Krista Murray, the executive director, had important choices to make on Thursday when she was told that the sewer line was in need of complete reconstruction at the Administration building. She could shut down the Administration Office and go remote, having programs hold steady for those already being served or come up with a plan within 24 hours of how to continue to provide critical services to those who come to the Center door each day. Beyond the shelter of a roof and walls, the Catherine McAuley Center’s emergency shelters and housing programs offer a host of other important grassroots programming including a food pantry, hygiene closet, period product pantry, and the family support program that provides necessary assistance and referrals for those facing homelessness.

To clear the area into which the reconstruction will be taking place, the Catherine McAuley Center will be offering additional items tomorrow, July 14th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at its Administrative Offices. Diapers, hygiene items, period products, food packages, and more will be available while supplies last.

The Center will continue to serve the community with all its programs and services throughout the reconstruction.

“We serve people in crisis each day. Even during this setback, we understand the privilege we have in each other. We know that our staff, our board, volunteers, and others in the community will support us so that we can continue to support those that need us most.”

For more information on our programs and services, or how you can support the Catherine McAuley Center during this time, you can call the main phone number at 570 342-1342.

The Catherine McAuley Center Expands Services

The Catherine McAuley Center expands services to include single fathers and intact families.

For many years, the Catherine McAuley Center has provided shelter to women and children experiencing homelessness. However, recognizing that there are still unmet needs within the community, the center is thrilled to announce its expansion of services. In addition to providing shelter to women and children, the center will now also offer assistance to single fathers and intact families.

The Catherine McAuley Center acknowledges that homelessness is a complex issue that affects individuals from all backgrounds. According to Executive Director Krista Murray, “Our decision to broaden our services was driven by the realization that there is a lack of resources for single fathers and intact families in our community that are experiencing homelessness.” The center is eager to begin assisting these groups in their journey towards a brighter future.

For more information on these expanded services, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center at 570-342-1342.

The Catherine McAuley Center to Host Mother’s Day Tea Party

The Catherine McAuley Center will be hosting a Mother’s Day Tea Party to celebrate mothers and other women in our lives; this event is open to the community. Refreshments, finger sandwiches and dessert will be served.

In addition to the tea party fare, there will be children’s activities, a family photo station, door prizes, raffles and so much more!

The Mother’s Day Tea Party will be located at The Space at Olive, 541 Wyoming Avenue in

Scranton on Saturday, May 6 th at 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 per adult, up to four children up to the age of 18 are included on the ticket.

There are sponsorship, donation, and volunteer opportunities.

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center by calling Mary-Pat Ward, Development Director at (570) 342-1342 or emailing at mpward@catherinemcauleycenter.org.