With the formation of the Catholic Social and Community Council (CSCC), as the umbrella body for the various Church community & charity organizations, Charities Week 2007 is now a collaborative effort between CSCC and CWS, to continue the work of supporting and helping the poor and needy within our community These .helping. organizations would include CWS and all its projects: St. Joseph.s Home, Villa Francis, St. Theresa.s Home, Gift of Love Home, St. Vincent Home, Poverello Teen Centre, Scholarship & Financial Aid and all its direct services for the needy.

The funds raised may also go towards the social and community organizational members of CSCC who are helping the needy in the community. These include: Family Life Society (FLS), Catholic Aids Response Effort (CARE), Morning Star Community Services, Marine Parade Family Service Centre, RC Prison Ministry, Good Shepherd Centre and the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrant Workers and Itinerant People (ACMI). Some of these organizations were previously directly funded by CWS.

With CSCC taking the lead in the Charities Week Campaign this year, Donors are requested to make their cheques payable to the Catholic Social and Community Council or .CSCC.. Tax exemption is available for donations above $50. It should be noted that CWS and some of the other Catholic charities remain as Institutions of Public Character and are also able to issue tax-exempt receipts. CWS will also continue in its operational role of providing direct services to the poor and the needy.

During this period of Lent, as we reflect on the sacrificial love of Jesus, let us do our part by His call for unconditional love. Working together, we will strive to relieve the hardships of our brothers and sisters in need, whatever their race or religion. Please contribute generously to help support those charity groups that make a difference in so many lives.

For more detailed information on Charities Week and CSCC, please visit CSCC.