Published on July 23, 2018 

More than 100 mentors, mentees, volunteers and supporters of Catholic Charities’ Isaiah 43 Parenting & Mentoring and Cornerstone Kids programs gathered at City Park on Saturday, July 14, for the annual Friends and Family Picnic.

Cornerstone Builders matches youth who have at least one incarcerated parent with a mentor who helps give them coping mechanisms for the present and a strong foundation of confidence and strength for the future.

The mentoring component of Isaiah 43 Parenting & Mentoring helps to address the spiritual and emotional needs of young people by giving them a safe, supportive environment for positive development to occur.

The group enjoyed hamburgers and hotdogs hot off the grill, sweet treats from Plum Street Snoballs and a variety of games and activities. A drawing was also held for gift cards to local venues for mentors and mentees to spend quality time together.

This day full of friends, family, food and fellowship is meant to help build a sense of community amongst participants and offer them a time to relax and enjoy one another’s company.

“Today was a fantastic opportunity for people of faith from various walks of life to engage one another and build community together,” Kevin Fitzpatrick, Director of Catholic Charities’ Office of Justice and Peace, said of the event.

Thanks to the members of the Catholic Women in Action Giving Circle of the Catholic Foundation, who recently awarded grants to both Isaiah 43 and Cornerstone Kids. A portion of these proceeds helped fund this wonderful event!