By Galen Holley
JACKSON – Donors who give to philanthropic causes approved by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, like many offered through Catholic Charities, are eligible for a substantial tax credit, thanks to a unique piece of legislation.

The Children’s Promise Act (CPA) provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, up to $1,200 for individuals, and up to half of their state tax liability for businesses, for making a donation to ECOs, or Eligible Charitable Organizations. The CPA provides tax credits to corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

The Mississippi legislature passed the CPA in 2018. According to Monseigneur Elvin Sunds, interim executive director of Catholic Charities, Inc. of the Diocese of Jackson, it presents an incentive to support those on the margins of society.

“Many of the services we provide are funded by state and federal grants, but that money doesn’t always cover everything,” said Sunds. “The Children’s Promise Act helps fill in the gaps and allows us to continue those programs.”

Since the 1960s, Catholic Charities has served those in Mississippi who need a hand up. It’s a community effort, according to Sunds. “Catholic Charities has been out there, touching all aspects of community life, particularly serving women and children, and families,” said Sunds. Among its numerous outreach efforts, Catholic Charities in Mississippi provides round-the-clock service for children with emotional needs, as well as care for pregnant mothers facing addiction. Catholic Charities personnel try to make sure that children are always cared for. “We want to preserve those family bonds with which children are comfortable and familiar,” said Sunds.

Michael Crandall is the president at Trustmark Bank in Canton, as well a former board member at Catholic Charities. Trustmark recently contributed $100,000 to Catholic Charities, and the bank’s core values coincide nicely with the nonprofit’s efforts, according to Crandall.

“The Children’s Promise Act is an ideal opportunity for those who might not normally give to Catholic Charities to give,” he said. “Catholic Charities actually serves more non-Catholics than Catholics. It’s a community effort. One of Trustmark’s core values is building relationships within the community, and this is a perfect example.”

Michael Thomas is director of development at Catholic Charities in Jackson and said that the nonprofit is hoping to raise half a million dollars. To date, they’ve received about $200,000.

(To donate and take advantage of the tax credits offered through the Children’s Promise Act, visit https://www.catholiccharitiesjackson.org, email help@ccjackson.org, or call (601) 355-8634.)

By Joe Lee
JACKSON – Raised Catholic just minutes from The Bronx borough of New York City, actress Robin Givens can look back with pride on a television and film career which began with a successful audition for a guest role on “The Cosby Show.” A year later she landed the role of Darlene Merriman on the ABC smash “Head of the Class” and was a cast member for the show’s 1986-1991 duration.
Unfortunately, Givens might be just as well known for her brief and turbulent marriage to then-world heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson. In an explosive 1988 interview with ABC’s Barbara Walters shortly before she and Tyson separated, Givens leveled charges of domestic abuse against her husband.

Today, Givens speaks out about the abuse she suffered, urging men, women and the African American community to educate themselves about domestic violence. She’s the keynote speaker at this year’s Journey of Hope luncheon, the largest annual fundraiser put on by Catholic Charities and an event that will take place earlier this fall than usual.

“The luncheon was moved to Aug. 11 because we want to have the event on a Friday,” said Marsha Burton, Senior Engagement and Major Gifts Officer for Catholic Charities. “We Mississippians love football, and Fridays in September are prime football days. The Hilton Jackson was available for the date and offers us a larger space with amenities conducive for celebrity speakers.

“We feel that having the entire event at one location will reduce travel for our speaker, attract a large audience through being centrally located and parking should not be an issue.”

In addition to the luncheon, Givens will appear at a reception the evening before from 6-8 p.m., which will allow attendees to meet her in a relaxed environment. The reception will also take place at the Hilton, located at 1001 E. County Line Road in Jackson.

“Robin Givens is a women’s advocate and outspoken crusader against domestic violence,” said Wanda Thomas, executive director of Catholic Charities. “She also speaks on the reality of domestic violence occurring to men as well as women, and how socioeconomic status doesn’t play a role. She’s a woman that can move and inspire all walks of life.”

To order tickets for the Journey of Hope luncheon, the reception, or to inquire about sponsoring tables, call (601) 326-3714 or visit https://bit.ly/CCJOH2023 to register for the luncheon.

By Joe Lee
MADISON – Let this sink in: the majority of those served by Catholic Charities are not Catholic.
If that comes as a surprise, consider the organization’s mission, which is to be a visible sign of Christ’s love by helping those who are unable to help themselves; the poor and vulnerable, especially children, women and families.

As final preparations are being made for the annual Bishop’s Ball – which will celebrate Catholic Charities’ 60th anniversary – executive director Wanda Thomas and her team are hard at work assisting the many victims of the March 24 tornado, an EF-4 that was on the ground nearly an hour and took the lives of 21 people in Rolling Fork and Silver City. There’s also significant damage in Amory.

“We are responsible for responding to any individuals in need within the 65 counties covered by the Diocese of Jackson,” Thomas said. “We have outlying offices and programs within the metro Jackson area as well as Raymond, Natchez and Vardaman. We are in the process of starting a new program in Greenwood.”

Those services include adoption and therapeutic foster care, domestic violence emergency shelters, the Born Free/New Beginnings residential substance abuse treatment for mothers, unaccompanied refugee minor group homes, and community-oriented, home-based services for youth at risk of needing psychiatric residential treatment.

There’s also Healing Hearts outpatient mental health clinic, disaster services, support services for veterans and families, kinship navigation services to prevent youth from needing foster care placement, rape crisis and sexual assault, emergency assistance, afterschool tutoring and a summer camp program.

“A lot of the work is behind the scenes, done discreetly and confidentially, but with great devotion,” said Bishop Joseph Kopacz. “This ministry is a vital part of the work and the mission of the Diocese of Jackson. It really goes to the margins, to the most vulnerable in our communities. It’s what the Gospel is all about, and what Pope Francis speaks about. We reach out to people who will never know us, and never be able to repay us.”

If you’re new to the area and haven’t attended the Bishop’s Ball before, it’s a wonderful opportunity to hear more about an organization that could definitely use your assistance right now. The annual event is also great fun, based on a track record of many generous donors returning again and again.

“When I entered the building (for the first time), I began working on the Bishop’s Ball,” said Marsha Burton, senior engagement and major gifts officer with Catholic Charities and a new addition to the team. “The live music this year will be a jazz band to set the mood of quaint and classy. We hired a decorator who will decorate around a diamond theme; the 60th anniversary is a diamond celebration.

“The teamwork from within the agency here is outstanding. This year’s Bishop’s Ball Samaritan Award is being presented to St. Dominic Comprehensive Cancer Center for the compassionate patient care they provided throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To my knowledge, this is the first healthcare team to receive the award.”

Johnny Maloney and his wife, Sharon, have chaired the Bishop’s Ball in the past, and the Cowboy Maloney family have been honored with the event’s Samaritan Award.

“Besides the great food and fellowship, the Bishop’s Ball has a silent auction and a live auction,” Maloney said. “In the past, the last live auction item has been a dinner with the Bishop at his home for eight people. Attendees get groups together and bid as a party of eight, and that makes the auction fun.”

“I see Catholic Charities as an extension of our parishes,” said Rusty Haydel, who estimates that he and his wife, Yvonne, have attended fifteen Bishop’s Balls over the years. “They’re doing the work that Jesus would want us to do.”

“All the Bishops hold a special place in our heart,” said Mike Crandall, “but we must say that Bishop Kopacz, through his leadership and involvement with Catholic Charities, has become our favorite. He stepped into the ministry at a crucial time, and the organization has thrived through his leadership and encouragement.

“Catholic Charites has allowed Susan and I to have an avenue to give back to society, a mission that we are passionate about. Our goal is that when our time comes and we are called home, we will leave our community in a better place. We work with a lot of nonprofits, but Catholic Charities is our favorite because it serves so many people.”

For more information on the Bishop’s Ball or to sponsor or purchase tickets, visit: https://event.gives/bb2023