Page 18 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

18 INSPIRE

Lumen Christi Recipient

CRI's Three Core Strategies
People and partnerships are
at the heart of CRI. One key
partner, The Fuller Center for
Housing, builds homes, with
zero-interest-rate mortgages, as
the neighborhoods are being
renovated.
CRI impacts a diversity of peo-
ple. Here are their transfor-
mational stories — proof that
this model changes lives and
society.

1) Renewal Team
50,000 people who sign “We
Care” pledge cards promising
to serve their neighbors. They
show their commitment through
yard signs.

2) Haven Houses
1,700 trained leaders to provide
a broader platform for socializ-
ing among neighbors and help-
ing each other.
3) Friendship Houses
Based in low-income, high-crime
areas, with live-in leaders, they
are popular gathering places
and a crucial presence in their
neighborhoods.
Father Jack, McCarter (right), CRI staff and volunteers who are turning McCarter’s vision into
reality throughout the city of Shreveport.
Jackson about the Friendship now a lawyer, married with three to the Friendship House for help.
House. “You went into the House children and a mentor to youth. McCarter saw that she was a great
and felt safe,” he said. “They Pam Morgan works at CRI as caregiver, and in 2001 he asked if
hug you, ask you about your day, the Allendale Community Coor- she’d like to work at CRI. Unem-
share scriptures and talk about dinator for Children. Her child- ployed, she accepted ecstatically.
the future,” he said. “Mack set the hood in the impoverished Allen- She is a Friendship House leader
tone for my life and showed me a dale neighborhood was troubled. and lovingly runs the after-school
new path. He gave me the chance “I didn’t know where my next program for children. “I see myself
to make good choices.” Jackson is meal was coming from. I was lost, in these children,” she said. “I
lonely and hopeless,” she said. As know I can give them hope.”
an adult, she had four children and Gloria Millender directs CRI’s
abusive relationships. She turned Adult Renewal Academy, a faith-