Mary Lou Ozimek, assistant director of the Catholic Community Foundation, welcomed about 60 women to the Women’s Giving Circle’s opening gathering and Mass March 7 at Holy Rosary Parish in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the Mass. A soup and salad lunch followed in the parish hall. Food was provided by The Friar’s Table.
The Giving Circle is an initiative of the Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Cleveland. Ozimek said it seeks “to invite, inform and involve women of faith in the charitable, educational and spiritual work of the Church in Northeast Ohio.”
In that vein, the Giving Circle gathers about five times each year for Mass/prayer, a service day (scheduled for April 7 at the Cosgrove Center), a pitch party (scheduled for April 30), an evening of reflection (scheduled for June 10) and a sip and learn event (scheduled for Oct. 9).
“We raise awareness and funds to support organizations serving our communities through engaged and collective philanthropy,” Ozimek explained.
She said the group accomplishes this by:
- Fostering an atmosphere that is an expression of our Catholic faith and values.
- Learning about the needs of nonprofits in the diocese and community.
- Pooling resources to create meaningful change and greater impact.
- Deciding which organizations to support.
- Gathering together for fellowship and to learn from each other.
- Celebrating the impact of the Women’s Giving Circle.
Ozimek said the group’s day of service will begin at 8:30 a.m. April 7 at the Catholic Charities’ Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center in downtown Cleveland. Volunteers will serve those in need by preparing meals, offering cleaning services and supporting the work of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
“We invite all members to participate and to experience the joy of giving back,” she said.
The pitch party, set for April 30, is an opportunity for Giving Circle members to hear a pitch for funding from the top three diocesan organizations and the top three community nonprofits that members voted to learn about. After hearing the pitches, members will vote on the grant awards to be made to the organizations.
Diocesan organizations seeking funding this year are Camp Happiness, Catholic Charities; Holy Family Hospice, St. Augustine Health Ministries; the Marriage and Family Ministry Office, Diocese of Cleveland; Migration and Refugee Services, Single Mothers Program, Catholic Charities; Ministry to the Incarcerated, Diocese of Cleveland and St. Agatha-St. Aloysius Parish Hunger Center.
Community organizations seeking funding this year are Fill this House; Geauga Faith Rescue Mission; Laura’s Home — City Mission; Malachi House; Providence House and Womankind.
The evening of reflection will take place June 10 at Holy Martyrs Parish in Medina.
“Together, we will honor the faith and sacrifice of the four women martyred in El Salvador on Dec, 2, 1980, and reflect on how their witness continues to shape our diocese’s mission and presence there today,” Ozimek said.
The group’s final scheduled event, the sip and learn, will be Oct. 9 at a place to be determined. Ozimek said members will participate in “meaningful conversation as we discover the impact the Women’s Giving Circle is making in our community.
The Women’s Giving Circle welcomes new members, Ozimek said. Annual cost is $250 for those younger than 40 or $500 for those 40 and older. Members can endow their gift for $1,000, which allocates $500 for their annual membership and $500 for the Women’s Giving Circle Endowment.
Click here to learn more about the Women’s Giving Circle or contact Ozimek at mozimek@catholiccommunity.org, 216-696-6525, Ext. 4070, or Jessica DiSalvatore, jdisalvatore@catholiccommunity.org, 216-696-6525, Ext. 4080.