John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School will host Cecilia Suarez who leads Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) peacebuilding, human rights and community development programs in Mexico. At a student assembly this Thursday, Ms. Suarez will share her personal story and how participation in the Lenten program CRS Rice Bowl makes a significant and lasting difference to the work of combatting poverty and hunger around the world.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
9:45 a.m.
John W. Hallahan Girl’s High School
311 North 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
A native of Mexico, Ms. Suarez came to CRS in 2013 and is dedicated to improving the quality of life among the most vulnerable communities in Mexico. Although Mexico has one of the largest economies in Latin America, half of its population lives in severe poverty. Ongoing economic and social concerns – in addition to drug trafficking, violence and organized crime – are increasing the number of people forcefully displaced from their homes and businesses.
CRS works together with local partners to address systemic injustice, migrant and farmworker vulnerability, social transformation in high violent contexts, and rural development. We bring attention to emergencies by advocating for just policies and promoting solidarity between the people of Mexico and the United States.
Now in its 42nd year, CRS Rice Bowl is one of the most popular Lenten programs in the U.S. practiced by close to 14,000 Catholic churches and schools. The program is known for its expansive collection of resources for families, parishes, educators, universities and ministers for the entire Lenten season. All materials are available in print, on the web, and through the mobile app, and in both English and Spanish.
CRS Rice Bowl is global in its reach, bringing tangible goods and services to people in need around the world. Twenty-five percent of all contributions stay in local dioceses to support hunger and poverty prevention programs such as community gardens, food pantries, soup kitchens, support groups, and job centers. In our region, that work is performed by Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS). The remaining 75% goes to support CRS’ humanitarian and development programs overseas, providing life-saving assistance and hope to impoverished and vulnerable communities.
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Editor’s Note: For more information on CRS, please visit www.crs.org, crsricebowl.org/speakers, or www.crsespanol.org. For CRS Rice Bowl program photos, FAQs, social media memes, web banners, and speaker bios please visit http://www.crsricebowl.org/about/mediakit. To learn more NDS, please visit www.nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.