Catholic Charities warns against adopting Haitian Orphans too soon

Adoption experts says adoption not the best crisis response
January 19, 2010—Baton Rouge, LA—Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR)—the area’s only Hague-accredited agency for international adoptions—cautions families trying to adopt Haitian orphans at this time. Catholic Charities agencies nationwide have fielded calls from compassionate people interested in adopting Haitian children.

Todd Hamilton's News From American Samoa

Tuesday November 3, 2009--Any temporary duty assignment assumes its own unique version of normalcy. The passage of time is perceived differently. It’s a strange form of bipolar disorder to think in two different time zones simultaneously. My work days in American Samoa are somewhat longer than at home. I wake up hearing the roosters, really, and am showered and downstairs at 6 to boil water. French press. Espresso. That’s breakfast to me. Yogurt is rare on the island, and milk, from New Zealand, is not always available. My first work hour is email with coffee. Home is now 5 hours ahead so it’s late morning for you by the time I read your overnight messages.

Click here to donate to the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response in American Samoa.  

Catholic Charities Baton Rouge to assist with recovery work in American Samoa

Carol Spruell deployed on Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations Team

10/6/2009--Baton Rouge, LA--Catholic Charities Diocese of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR) has deployed its Communications Director, Carol Spruell, to American Samoa as part of a Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations team. During her weeklong stay, she’ll assist with the national organization’s relief and recovery work following the recent earthquake and tsunami that devastated the island territory.

“Since becoming the lead case management agency after Katrina, CCDBR has more experience in disasters of this magnitude as any other in the country,” said David Aguillard, Executive Director.  “Carol in particular is skilled at assessing a situation and communicating on-the-ground needs in a manner that compels people to take note and act.  Our staff is in high demand when the subject of disaster response and relief is on the table.”

Click here to read a story in The Advocate. 

News Blog from American Samoa

Catholic Charities Carol Spruell in American SamoaMalo! from American Samoa. Here are just a few thoughts and a diary of my experiences in American Samoa working with the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations Team.

Click here to donate to the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Response in American Samoa. 

Thursday, October 8, 2009 Day minus one
8:30 Boarded a plane in Baton Rouge headed for Dallas. Sat next to an LSU professor headed for a conference in Wisconsin. She asked me to come speak to her class when I return. Wow. This really is a big deal. Seems like I should be more nervous.

2:30 Made it to Honolulu. You would think that their airport would be air conditioned. Met up with Colleen, Gabe and Kim. Got my brand new passport. The ticket agent must have been impressed because she asked to see it three different times.

Honors given for Katrina aid roles

By MARK H. HUNTER
Special to The Advocate
Published: Aug 30, 2009 - Page: 3B

Four years to the day after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana, more than 100 people gathered Saturday for an ecumenical prayer breakfast to remember the storm’s human devastation and to honor churches, charities and civic groups that assisted thousands of evacuees.

The gathering at the LSU Lod Cook Alumni Center was held in conjunction with release in Baton Rouge of a Children’s Defense Fund and Katrina Citizens’ Leadership Corps 40-page report on the storm’s aftermath and its effects on the Gulf Coast.

The Most Rev. Robert W. Muench, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, focused his remarks on how Katrina affected displaced children’s peace of mind.

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