Catholic Charities Honors Michael Rizzo

Michael Rizzo of Newtown was honored recently by Catholic Charities of Fairfield County for his volunteer work with Catholic Familiy Services (CFS) of Danbury.

A successful businessman and commercial contractor, Mr Rizzo created a business plan and strategy for saving the teleconferencing program that connects homebound seniors. He is a member of the CFS Board.

More than 200 persons attended the 85th annual meeting of Catholic Charities of Fairfield County in Bridgeport to hear remarks by Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport and Brian Cronin, executive director of Catholic Charities, and see Mr Rizzo and other volunteers receive their awards.

Catholic Charities has a budget of more than $9.6 million to support 35 programs including nutrition, counseling, case management, senior services, child care, and life skills/transitional services. Catholic Charities served 487,423 meals through its feeding programs for the poor, elederly, and homeless; provided 8,091 counseling sessions through its behavioral health network of CFS offices; and helped 365 men and women make the transition from welfare to work through programs in Bridgeport and Danbury.

The agency also launched several new services including an innovative “Ways to Work” loan fund for low-income families in Danbury and a “Family Stages” program to serve substance-abusing women and their children in the Bridgeport area.

The agency receives funding from a wide range or sources including the Diocese of Bridgeport, United Way, state and federal grants, and private foundations. Catholic Charities has 24 offices throughout Fairfield County and sponsors 31 programs open to individuals and families of all faiths. Its main office is at 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport. For information call 203-372-4301 or visit the Web site www.cathcharitiesffdcty.org.