Blog Archives
Preparing Child Welfare Professionals
Written on June 20, 2016 at 1:07 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
I have held numerous roles within the St. Vincent Catholic Charities Child Welfare program, where I have witnessed the field change drastically over the past few years. In such a fluid…
The Gift of Thoughtfulness
Written on May 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
“If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than…
Building Refugee Awareness Year-Round
Written on May 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
You may be familiar with World Refugee Awareness Week, the time every June that the Lansing community and St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ dedicates to advocate for refugees and to celebrate…
We’d Like to Introduce You to Josh Lown, The New Volunteer, Outreach and Training Coordinator at the Children’s Home
Written on May 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
Josh has been working at the Children’s Home for nearly four years, the past three and a half as a Youth Advocate. In his prior position, Josh first worked primarily…
Sewing Circle Uniting Those From Across The Globe
Written on May 11, 2016 at 7:21 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
One of the unique programs and collaborations that exists at St. Vincent Catholic Charities is a partnership between STVCC Counseling Services and the Refugee Development Center (RDC), an organization located…
What Happens When Children Don’t Have a Safety Net?
Written on May 11, 2016 at 7:19 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
Guiding Principles for STVCC Child Welfare Programs and Workers To ensure the safety and welfare of children through the establishment of safe, positive, strength-based relationships with families (biological, extended, foster,…
The Day He Called Me Mom
Written on April 19, 2016 at 5:56 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
“I was standing at the kitchen sink when the younger one of my middles got my attention (we called them that because I have one son from my first marriage…
Therapy Dog Teaches Love
Written on April 6, 2016 at 8:55 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
Think of the children you hold so dear in your life and what love and comfort they receive as part of your loving family environment. Now, picture the children that…
A Father’s Journey to Freedom
Written on March 16, 2016 at 3:22 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
Last year, our Guardian Society was lucky enough to hear Balthazar’s account of his, and his family’s, journey to freedom during his speech at our annual Guardian Society breakfast. His…
What is the Refugee Screening Process?
Written on December 16, 2015 at 2:14 pm, by Kimberly Al-Shatel
The refugee screening and resettlement process has been a hot topic recently and it seems everyone has an opinion on it. Unfortunately, many of those opinions are based upon ideas…