Out on the wire

We support the promotion, operation and administration of the ShareLife campaigns in many ways here in our office. We connect with some people in Catholic schools, through Catholic networking events and, of course, in the 224 Catholic parishes of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Sometimes, we stretch beyond our Catholic boundaries, reaching out to the entire community.
Today, we did just that by distributing the press release below.

Confident that our materials have arrived at all the parishes and that efforts are earnestly underway, this provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness... awareness of the desparate need for help in our communities and awareness of how ShareLife, through the agencies we fund, addresses those needs. In this case, we also want to raise awareness around the ShareLife Community Challenge and the wonderful opportunity it provides for us to increase the impact your gifts can make.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GTA Catholics mobilize to assist 225,000 people in need
–Donor offers $500,000 to inspire generosity at home–

Toronto (February 26, 2010) – Catholics in the Greater Toronto Area are turning their attention from Haiti to home with the launch of the $12 million annual ShareLife parish fundraising campaign, helping ShareLife agencies assist more than 225,000 people in need in our area.

The Archdiocese of Toronto has launched its annual charitable appeal, ShareLife, in its 224 parishes. The annual fundraising campaign, conducted from February to July, supports more than 40 Catholic agencies in the area – primarily social service agencies – through annual allocations and one-time grants. This campaign follows on the heels of a successful disaster relief appeal that raised nearly $4 million for the people of Haiti.

“Parish and schools across the Archdiocese of Toronto were incredibly generous in their support of Haitian earthquake victims – we’re sincerely grateful for their efforts. Now, we’re asking people to turn their attention to our own communities,” said Michael McBride, volunteer chair of the ShareLife campaign. “Sadly, we see tragic circumstances and lives torn apart each day here at home. While they may not garner the same attention as natural disasters, we need to address the pain and suffering that is present in our neighbourhoods. The pressure on our agencies is greater than ever, with more than $800,000 in unmet needs identified this year.”

ShareLife social services agencies, such as Good Shepherd Centre, Covenant House, Street Haven at the Crossroads, and the Catholic Family Services network, offer counselling and support to more than 225,000 people throughout the Greater Toronto Area, regardless of their background or beliefs. Last year, the ShareLife parish campaign raised $11.4 million and the overall campaign (including corporate, school and parish contributions) reached $13.7 million. The overall goal for the 2010 campaign is $14.15 million.

“Our goal is ambitious but we are committed to helping address the practical needs of some of the most vulnerable, troubled and marginalized people in our midst,” said Arthur Peters, executive director of ShareLife. “This is a tangible opportunity for the Catholic community to make an impact that can change lives forever.”

Matching gift challenge offers additional incentive
Helping the 2010 ShareLife campaign toward its goal, an anonymous parishioner has stepped forward with a gift challenge. Through the ShareLife Community Challenge, all new and increased gifts to the campaign will be matched, up to a total of $500,000.

“Donors are more familiar with gift matching programs following the intense publicity around the federal government’s matching commitment for Haitian relief. We’re extremely grateful to build on that awareness for our own campaign this year,” said Peters. “We hope our supporters will recognize the opportunity the ShareLife Community Challenge provides to increase the impact of their contributions, maximizing support for the critical work of our agencies.”

Contributions from people who did not donate to the campaign in 2009 will be matched dollar-for-dollar. And, for donors who contributed last year, the amount of any increase over their 2009 gift will be matched. The ShareLife Community Challenge applies to all gifts made to ShareLife, through its parish, school and corporate campaigns, up to July 31, 2010.

ShareLife, the charitable annual appeal of the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, raises and allocates funds to support care and outreach to those in need in our communities and around the world through a network of Catholic agencies. The Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada’s largest diocese, is home to 1.9 million Catholics and 224 parishes, stretching from Toronto to Georgian Bay and from Mississauga to Oshawa.

Caritas eyes reconstruction projects in Haiti

The president of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, visited Haiti yesterday to assess the situation there. Of course, some political leaders, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper, have done the same.

The cardinal's visit was timed to deliver aid and spiritual solidarity to the Haitian people and their church. He indicated that, after a two-month campaign focused on relief, Caritas will begin a reconstruction program focused on housing, education and livelihoods, which will last up to five years. In all $234 million has been dedicated to the Caritas Internationalis Haitian relief effort by private individuals and governments.

More on the visit can be found on the Zenit news services site and additional updates on the Caritas work being done on the ground can be found on the Caritas site.

Though our fundraising for Haiti is for the most part over, the work of rebuilding the physical and social structures of the country will continue for years to come.

And we're off!!!

With the first Sunday of Lent behind us, the ShareLife Parish Campaign is now up and running for 2010.


Most of the parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto received their ShareLife materials last week. The remainder of the materials will be delivered in the next day or two. Given the amount of resources required to support the Haitian relief efforts, our materials are about a week behind our desired delivery time.


To the left is a sample of what you'll see in the parishes of the archdiocese for the next few months. To check out more ShareLife promotional materials, visit the resource page of our website.

We have a significant challenge ahead of us as a Catholic community in this campaign, aiming to raise $12 million so shortly after raising $3.7 million for disaster relief. We will hope, pray and work hard to promote the cause of our agencies and the incredible work they do in the community. We rely on your support, in whatever form you can provide it - time, talent and/or treasure.

My hope is that the ShareLife Community Challenge will inspire some parishioners to join us for the first time and others to reinforce their gifts - taking advantage of the matching gift program. Please, let everyone you can know about the program.

If you have any suggestions, feedback or questions, feel free to contact me.

God bless.

Haitian Relief - $3.7 million raised!

The parishes, schools and businesses of the Archdiocese of Toronto responded to the Haitian earthquake disaster with incredible generosity!

As of February 12, the deadline for gifts to qualify for the federal government's matching program, contributions to the Archdiocese had reached nearly $3.7 million!!! Thank you very much to everyone who contributed to this true demonstration of support and care for the Haitian people in their time of need. This total represents more than 25% of all funds collected across Canada by Development & Peace for the Caritas Internationalis efforts in Haiti.

On the ground, Caritas teams continue to help. "There are 322 camps spread throughout the city that face the enormous challenge of sheltering nearly all those left in the city. Sanitation is a concern, the threat of disease looms large, and the dark clouds of the rainy season will soon be rolling in from the sea," according to the D&P website. Your funds are making a practical and important difference as Port-au-Prince and the Haitian nation struggles to recover. (You can find regular updates here.)

Our thoughts and prayers continue for all the victims and for the thousands of people on the ground helping the country rebuild.

Catholic charity at work here and afar

It has been heartening to witness the generosity of our Catholic family at work since Haiti was struck by devestating earthquakes more than three weeks ago.
Our phones and inboxes have been busy with requests for more information and offers of donations. The outpouring is a clear demonstration of our desire to care for our neighbours, whether they be nearby or far away.
At last tally, the Archdiocese of Toronto had received more than $1.1 million from parish and school communities in our area. The Catholic Register reported specifically on Toronto's response this week. Check it out.
And, thank you once again for your generosity!

Smart Art! - Winning school poster chosen

The envelope, please...

...with more than 100 entries submitted to the ShareLife school poster contest by elementary school students within the Archdiocese of Toronto’s five English speaking school boards (that’s a 70% growth in participation over last year’s contest!), picking a winner was no easy task.

In the end, Andy and Glenn from St. Matthew's School in Toronto received the final nod for their awesome poster! Theirs will be the official ShareLife poster for over 450 catholic elementary schools across the Archdiocese of Toronto. Great job guys!

As well, given the tough competition, we decided to acknowledge some runners up. Check the winning poster below and go the the YouthZone website to view the runners up and learn more about ShareLife in our schools.

Thanks very much to all who submitted a poster for review for your enthusiasm and participation.