Assumption Partners with Humanitarian Organization to Generate Awareness of Global Poverty

For the next three weeks, Assumption will team up with Catholic Relief Services to hold the inaugural Hounds4CRS Campaign. Officially a global partner of CRS, Assumption aims to engage students in a meaningful charity organization through this campaign.

Over the three-week span, Hounds4CRS will inform members of the Assumption community about the work that CRS does around the world, such as providing shelter, nourishment, and education to families. CRS strives to help those who are less fortunate, and they provide assistance to anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, age or ethnicity.

As part of the Hounds4CRS Campaign, Assumption is offering free admission to the men’s and women’s basketball games on February 20 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively. In lieu of admission, fans are encouraged to make a donation that will directly benefit CRS. There will also be a raffle in which 2016-2017 Assumption parking decals, a diploma frame, and Hound Store gift cards will be up for grabs.

CRS has been partnering with numerous Catholic colleges for several years, including Assumption. Professor David Crowley, a major advocate of CRS, explained how Dr. Carolyn Woo, President and CEO of CRS, spoke at Assumption’s President’s Lecture Series last year. “In her talk, she spoke powerfully about how CRS is doing the great work of the Church—assisting the poor and most vulnerable around the world on the basis of need and not creed,” Crowley said.

The partnership between CRS and Assumption is a win-win in Crowley’s eyes. “CRS helps institutions like Assumption achieve their mission by allowing faculty, staff and students access to their excellent educational and vocational materials and programs,” he said.  Through CRS, the institution can achieve its mission, but more importantly, members of the Assumption community can be engaged in meaningful fundraising.

Remarkably, 92 percent of the donations CRS receives go directly to those who are in need. CRS prides themselves on accountability and transparency, which gives supporters the assurance that their money is really making a difference. “The organization is committed to making the most of the donations they receive and they hold themselves to a high standard of accountability in achieving their goals,” said Crowley.

Since hearing Woo speak at the Assumption, Crowley has been impressed by the work CRS does. “What really impressed me were her statements about global solidarity and how the work of CRS is Catholic inspired but universally applicable—that the mission of CRS is to serve all those who are suffering, regardless of their beliefs,” he said. Now with a partnership with CRS, Assumption can reach out and lend a helping hand.

There will be two other events held as part of the Hounds4CRS Campaign. On Tuesday, February 23, Dean Cycon will present in Hagan Hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cycon is the proprietor of Dean’s Beans and a local fair trade advocate, and his presentation will focus on “Business as a Vehicle for Progressive Change: Fair Trade, Sustainability, and Economic Justice.”

Then, on March 2, Pascasie Musabyemungu, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide and CRS worker, will present “Stories of Hope” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Kennedy 119.

All members of the Assumption community are encouraged to make a donation of any amount on the Hounds4CRS donor site at any time during the campaign.

Although this is the first major initiative the institution has hosted through CRS, Assumption worked with CRS last year, raising money to provide assistance to the victims of the earthquakes in Nepal and those affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.

“Assumption, as a global partner of CRS, will be called on to assist CRS through both prayer and fundraising in response to similar emergencies in the future,” Crowley noted.