Memphis, TN – July 2, 2019 – Catholic Charities of West Tennessee (CCWTN) has distributed $6,600 in grants to eight small nonprofit organizations in West Tennessee through the Jackson Deanery Development Committee (JDDC) grant process.
The JDDC program uses 25 percent of the donations collected for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at churches throughout the Catholic Diocese of Memphis to fund these important efforts. A committee that includes Bishop David P. Talley, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis; Fr. Robert Marshall, Vicar General of the Diocese of Memphis; Catholic Charities staff and members of the West Tennessee Catholic community made the following grant selections for West Tennessee non-profits that applied to the program.
- Agape House, a crisis pregnancy center in Martin, Tenn., received $900.
- Hardin County Jesus Cares, a Savannah, Tenn., organization that assists with urgent services such as food and utility assistance, received $900.
- Project Outreach of Fayette County, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance such as food and clothing, received $900.
- RIFA, an organization that operates a soup kitchen, food bank and thrift store in Jackson, Tenn., received $900.
- FYI Clinic, which provides free ultrasounds to diagnose early pregnancy in Camden, Tenn., received $900.
- The Knights of Columbus Council 1101 in Jackson, Tenn., which provides Christmas baskets to families in need, received $900.
- Project HELP, which provides utility assistance to low-income families in Paris, Tenn., received $600.
- WE CARE Ministries, Inc., which provides low-income clients a chance to receive dental and vision care in Martin, Tenn., received $600.
Such grants are very important to ministries like WE CARE, said Betty Baker, director of WE CARE Ministries, Inc. “As a ministry, WE CARE does not apply for or receive government funding. The opportunity to apply for faith-based grant support like the JDDC is vital to our ministry efforts. The faith-based grants offer us the opportunity to expand our programs to assist those in need within our community.’’
When organizations step up to provide access to essential services such as food, shelter, and healthcare, they not only address immediate needs but also build the foundation for lasting well-being. Dental and vision care, often overlooked in charitable efforts, can make a profound difference in someone’s quality of life—restoring comfort, confidence, and dignity.
A dedicated dentist st george understands this connection, recognizing that oral health plays a crucial role in overall wellness. By offering preventive care, education, and restorative treatments, they help individuals not only overcome pain or discomfort but also regain the ability to smile freely and live more fully. These collective acts of service, whether through local ministries or compassionate healthcare providers, remind us that healing a community begins one person—and one act of care—at a time.
Baker added, “We appreciate our local St. Jude Catholic Church for sponsoring us each year, as well as their many members that faithfully volunteer at our mission center. All of us working together do indeed make a difference.”
For more information, please email Leigh Ann Roman, Director of Communications at Development at CCWTN, at leighann.roman@acc.cdom.org. To learn more about our mission, visit ccwtn.org.