The Fulton Rotary Club learned more about Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO) at Wednesday's meeting.
The Rotary Club works with CCCNMO for the Fulton Afghan Resettlement Project.
This project has helped several Afghan refugees who moved to Fulton. The Fulton Afghan Resettlement Committee is currently working to construct a house for a 14-member Afghan family. The Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson City is helping with this construction project.
CCCNMO issued a plaque to the City of Fulton last June for the community's support and efforts in assisting the Afghan Resettlement Project.
Dan Lester, Executive Director with CCCNMO, spoke to the Fulton Rotary Club. He has been the Exectuive Director since 2016.
CCCNMO is "the charitable arm of the Diocese of Jefferson City responding to the needs of people in 38 counties regardless of faith, culture, or situation," a CCCNMO pamphlet states.
Lester said the organization is faith-based, although they are committed to serving anyone regardless of faith, culture or situation.
Catholic Charities has 167 member agencies across the country, Lester said. Between 14-20 million people a year receive services through the Catholic Charities agencies, he added.
The CCCNMO agency was started in 2011, Lester said. The Refugee and Immigration Services programs have been around with the Diocese of Jefferson City since the 1970's.
Lester said one of the biggest areas of service for CCCNMO currently is natural disaster response. He said the group helps with long-term disaster recovery for impacted families.
He talked to Fulton Rotarians about some of the natural disasters CCCNMO has assisted with, including flooding in the Rolla area in 2017 and a tornando in Jefferson City and Eldon in 2019.
CCCNMO also runs a food pantry, Lester said.
Another one of the programs offered is a payday loan relief program. This program is offered in partnership with Mid America Bank.
"We just keep wanting to find new ways to help, new ways to serve, and I think it's just going to continue to grow and expand from there," Lester said.
The central offices of CCCNMO is in Jefferson City. The group also has offices in Columbia and Sedalia, with online services also offered.
To learn more about CCCNMO, visit cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.