Hope Starts Here: Meet Marlene

 
Mothers and daughters recently came together to celebrate “The Star Within You” at the 6th Annual “Be Your Best Day” coordinated by Project Hope of Burlington Community Services. The afternoon featured a Red Carpet Extravaganza including lunch, activities and friendship building.

Marlene Laó-Collins, Catholic Charities’ Executive Director, attended the special afternoon – one of many events that we hold throughout the year that offer HOPE for strengthening families.

“I meet people every day who defy expectations, who rise above the challenges life has put before them. And I am grateful that Catholic Charities is able to play a part in making this transformation possible,” says Marlene.

Our “Be Your Best Day” event is for families who have been stressed economically and are working with our Community Services staff to achieve self-sufficiency.

The event also included motivational talks from local leaders including Zaniya Lewis (pictured above with Marlene), a high school senior from Doane Academy in Burlington who was selected to accompany the Harlem Globetrotters to Africa as part of the Basketball without Borders program. Tina West of Rowan College at Burlington County also gave an inspiration talk.

More about Project Hope

Catholic Charities’ Project Hope program works with individuals and families who:

• Live with poverty
• Are homeless
• Are facing the threat of homelessness

Our program helps provide opportunities to develop skills and resources needed to achieve well-being and to lead self-sufficient, self-determined, productive lives. Empowerment is the goal of Project Hope with its three core components:

• Workforce Readiness
• Health and Wellness Educations and Services
• Essential Life Skills and Community Living

More about Community Services

Catholic Charities’ Community Services provides essential needs accompanied by skills training to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. Our offices are located in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Learn more about our Community Services programs.

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