Works of Mercy Celebrates 20 Years of Helping the Needy

The Diocese of Baton Rouge’s Works of Mercy program celebrated its 20th anniversary by continuing its tradition to helping those most in need. 

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Line4Line and Rebuilding Baton Rouge Together were each awarded $6,000 checks by Bishop Michael G. Duca during the May 5 ceremony held at the Westerfield Center on the Catholic Life Center campus.

Bishop Duca said the Works of Mercy seeks organizations that he said are “really down and connecting with the individuals.

“Every one of you has done that in a particular way,” he said, adding that the organizations do not have to be Catholic but must have “that spirit of charity. And reaching out to those in need.”

The donation to CCDBR will be used to building its Parents and Children together Program. CCDBR provides an intergenerational, peer visitation approach with a phone-app-based early education curriculum and an evidenced-based school readiness curriculum to help vulnerable families navigate the changing crises during a time of social isolation that exacerbates risks. 

They integrate case management, behavioral health and financial assistance, helping families emerge stronger.

“We go into homes to see what the challenges are that the family is facing and try to address those needs,” said Vickki Maloid, director of CCDBR’s PACT program. “We do it with love and care and try to nurture them so they can be more resilient.”

“We are all about the parents being their child’s first teacher and role model,” she said, adding that the program is currently serving 112 families.

Lucy Perera of Line4Line said the money will be used toward the organization’s Summer Mobile Outreach program, which is a free eight-week camp for youth living in historically underserved areas of Baton Rouge. The program will serve 100 youth weekly, operating one day a week in five different neighborhood parks and community partner sites, presenting hands-on activities that strengthen summer and COVID-19 learning loss, through a unique social emotionally grounded, culturally responsive curriculum.

“Our big thing is literacy,” Perera said. “We will be going out in a truck, setting up and reading with the children and doing creative activities.”

The mission of Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge is to provide safe and secure housing, assuring that elderly homeowners, veterans and people with disabilities have a safe and healthy house to live in. Julie Baxter Payer said the funding will be used to help Tabatha and Charles Wilson continue to rebuild their home, which was severely damaged in a fire more than 18 months ago. 

Although the couple had insurance, the contractor absconded with the money, forcing the Wilsons to live in a shed in their backyard with no running water.

“Our mission and heart is to help low-income senior citizens and veterans to be able to stay in their homes,” Payer said. “It also builds neighborhoods and helps neighborhoods stay strong.”

Gwen Fairchild, director of Stewardship for the Diocese of Baton Rouge, said that for the past 20 years Works of Mercy has continued to bring comfort to those most in need.

“Every one of these organizations are living the words of Jesus by reaching out to the less fortunate, to the most needy in our community,” Fairchild said “We are called as Catholics and as fellow human beings to help those most in need of our assistance. This truly is living the Gospel message and I am so proud to be a part of it.”

Works of Mercy was created in 1991 as a fundraising effort to continue the many good works started by Bishop Stanley J. Ott. Since 1991, Works of Mercy has awarded more than $600,000 in grants, all earnings off of the $613,000 endowment. 

“Bishop Ott was a man deeply respected for his charitable presence in the diocese,” Fairchild said. “He had a heart for the poor. He established this fund so that his legacy would continue.

“This comes out of the spirit of Bishop Ott.”

Tamika Edwards-Raby, coordinator of Stewardship Services, believes Bishop Ott would be “very proud” of the many programs and initiatives that have benefitted from the grants named in his honor.

“More importantly when we give it, it fortifies within us Christ’s legacy of faithful stewardship.”

She also expressed her appreciation to Lois Smyth of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation in seeking organizations that fulfill the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.