The St. Mary of Celle Family Strengthening Center highlighted its full range of summer programming for all ages at an open house held Sunday, June 13^th in the former St. Mary of Celle Elementary School at 1448 S. Wesley, in Berwyn. Summer classes featured were: a mosaic class for adults; a Mexican folkloric dance class for children; cooking classes, and SMART; a volunteer-led, summer literacy program for children. The Center has classrooms, large recreational areas, and a computer lab. The building also houses a licensed child care center which was also open to the public for tours.  Community partners, CNT Energy, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and Fifth Third Bank were available to provide information on how to save on energy bills, and financial literacy.

“The open house went very well; we had over 80 people in attendance.  Participants were able to discuss new programs, meet our summer student interns from Mexico and our community partners,” said Angela Bell, a Project Manager with Catholic Charities who coordinates the Family Strengthening Center.  “We are very excited about bringing a summer lunch program to the center beginning July 12, 2010.  We will be open to the public serving free lunches to all children ages 18 and under.  The lunches will be served in the cafeteria Monday through Friday from 12 to 1 p.m.,” she added.

Community partners in attendance were: CNT Energy, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), Fifth Third Bank, Literacy Volunteers (providers of English as a Second Language instruction), and PCC Wellness (a community-based health service provider). 

For more information about the programs at the St. Mary of Celle Family Strengthening Center and to register, please call (708) 303-3679.

Helping people in need for over 90 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of  the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting more than one  million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background.  Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.