The Link

3/4/2010
DIOCESE OF DES MOINES

Catholic Charities launches redesigned website

DES MOINES (March 4, 2010) - Catholic Charities launched a redesign of www.CatholicCharitiesdm.org offering new, more user-friendly navigation, and online services such as giving opportunities, volunteer opportunities and information on each of its programs.

"The new website is easy to navigate and offers information for those who are seeking our assistance and those who want to offer resources, time and talent," said Catholic Charities Executive Director Nancy Galeazzi.

"We appreciate all the hard work of Blue Compass in Urbandale for helping us launch a website incorporating our colors and logo so that all of our communication vehicles carry the same branding identity. When people see the new site, they'll know its Catholic Charities," she said.

The newly designed website provides information on each of Catholic Charities' programs in the Diocese of Des Moines and offers a blog through which people can subscribe and get up-to-the minute news. The site can handle online registration for events and programs and online giving for those who would like to offer a gift quickly. Those gifts can be given to Catholic Charities to use where it is most needed, or can be directed toward any one of the outreach areas Catholic Charities serves.

"We've already seen gifts come in for Catholic Charities through our online giving option," said Trish Radke, Public Relations & Fundraising Event Coordinator for Catholic Charities. "The option makes it easier for people to share their resources and honor the memory of a loved one through a gift to Catholic Charities. Coming up in May, supporters will even be able to purchase tickets online to our annual Catholic Charities Night at the Iowa Cubs."

Catholic Charities offers outreach through the following programs: A New Beginning Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling, Counseling Services, Migration & Refugee Services, Phoenix House Domestic Violence & Sexual Abuse Program, St. Joseph Emergency Family Shelter and St. Mary Family Center. It also raises awareness of various issues and advocates on behalf of the most vulnerable in our communities through the Social Justice Consortium.

The redesign of the website was funded through contributions to Catholic Charities and the annual spring Catholic Communication Campaign.

"Guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church, we serve all people in need with compassion and competence, advocate for justice, and encourage all people of good will to share in these efforts."

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(Contact: Trish Radke, 515-237-5078, tradke@dmdiocese.org)