For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2010

Contact:  Roger Conner
(703) 236-6218

Celebrate Your Father; Advocate for Fatherhood—“The Responsible Father's Day Card”

Alexandria, VA – This Father’s Day Catholic Charities USA offers the perfect way to celebrate your Dad and help other needy Dads and families. Go to http://www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org/ecards and send an electronic card that will make your Dad especially proud. Not only will you remember his special day but you will honor him or his memory with a donation in his name to assist fathers and families who may be struggling during these difficult economic times. Your heartfelt message of individual love and admiration for your Dad will encompass a broader level of support for fatherhood and families.

Catholic Charities USA and its more than 1,700 agency members nationwide spend time every day helping fathers in need and families and children who do not have the important benefit of a father at home. As part of its critically important work to reduce poverty in America, Catholic Charities USA is offering these cards to help shine a national spotlight on fathers. For the Father’s Day eCards, the sender simply contributes a donation in support of the work of Catholic Charities USA , can customize a special greeting for the electronic card if they wish, and chooses the date for the card’s delivery.

Catholic Charities USA is reigniting a national dialogue about the importance fathers play in helping their children grow up in safe and supportive families. This effort includes advocating government leaders to develop policies and strategies that help low-income fathers become more active and engaged in the lives of their children.

“Our nation’s public policies and programs have often left fathers out of the discussion on resources made available to children and families,” Father Snyder said. “This undermines the central role that fathers play in the stability and well being of the family, community and society. It is important for policymakers to embrace the father as part of a complete family unit and develop policies that support, strengthen, and encourage men and women to remain connected to their children and families.”

Catholic Charities USA’s members—more than 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide—provide help and create hope for over 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary.