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The Catholic Diocese of Erie’s Office of Catholic Refugee Ministry works to connect refugees in the Erie area with resources to help them attain self-sufficiency and become contributing members of the community. One of the most important of these services is providing classes through which refugees learn to speak English, acquire necessary practical skills and become acquainted with American culture.

Catholic Charities’ refugee ministry is looking for volunteers to help teach a variety of classes to recently arrived refugees. Teachers are especially needed to help with English classes, using Rosetta Stone software, and also with employment and culture classes. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions are available; hours are flexible. No experience is required.

For more information about this or other volunteer opportunities with Catholic Charities, contact Deacon John Brophy at 897-8327 or click here.

Mercyhurst University and the House of Mercy will host a global gifts fair on March 21, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the university’s Carolyn Herrmann Student Union.

The fair will showcase handcrafted original works of art, including jewelry, woodcarvings and knitted and woven items, made by area refugees from Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Proceeds will benefit the artists and their families.

Mercyhurst social work major Sister Kade Browne of Liberia, pictured above, recently began working with refugees in Erie as part of her Social Work Practice III course. According to Sister Kade, who is working on this project with Mercyhurst senior Brittany Miklos, many of the area’s refugees are unemployed and need help providing for their families.

Mercyhurst officials and the Sisters of Mercy are seeking craft donations to support the participating artists. Crafting materials such as fabrics, beads, buttons, yarn, thread, ribbon, clay, paper and paint will be accepted.

Donations of nonperishable food items and toiletries will also be collected before and during the gifts fair to benefit refugees. Collection boxes are available around the university’s Erie campus, including the lobby of Old Main, the Student Union and Egan Dining Hall.

Donations can also be made at the House of Mercy, 2005 Woodlawn Ave., and the Sisters of Mercy Mother House, 444 E. Grandview Blvd. For more information, contact Sister Kade at 824-3314, or Sister Michelle at 898-0167.

St. Benedict Education Center is looking to staff its store, Treasures & Such, with volunteers.

The store caters to families enrolled the education center’s work program, many of whom are refugees. Participating families can use “Bennie Bucks” earned in the program to purchase a variety of gently used clothing and household goods.

Volunteers would work with at least one other person in the store, writing down purchases, bagging items and collecting payment.

If volunteers want, they can also sort and price items or perform other supportive tasks.

Volunteers are needed between 9:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Any commitment level (one to five times a week) is welcomed.

Contact the education center’s Sister Dorothy Stoner at 452-4072 ext. 291 or via e-mail. 

The Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program is welcoming new refugees to Erie at its annual Refugee Picnic.

The picnic is located at the Cook House Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park on Sept. 15.

Volunteers are needed to set up, direct traffic, lead games, crafts and nature walks and patrol the beach.

From Catholic Charities via VolunteerMatch:

This is a wonderful way to interact with Erie’s newest arrivals and help welcome them to our city!

To volunteer, contact Deacon John Brophy via e-mail or telephone at 528-3623 or 897-8327.