New partnership, named “Mater Maria,” will provide additional resources for expectant homeless women while providing expanded access and resources
DALLAS (JANUARY 9, 2024) – Mater Filius Dallas (MFD) and Catholic Charities Dallas (CCD) have formalized an agreement that will continue the unique and loving services established by Founders Marthalicia and Javier Burkle nearly ten years ago under a new name, Mater Maria.
Operating out of two homes in Collin County, Mater Maria will continue offering housing, meals, transportation, education, and guidance to pregnant women experiencing homelessness. With capacity for up to ten mothers at a time, the mission has welcomed and provided a warm, inclusive, and supportive environment for 82 mothers who have delivered 85 babies since inception.
“Collaborating and truly partnering with Catholic Charities Dallas will ensure that Mater Maria is sustained and successful for the long run,” said co-founders Marthalicia and Javier Burkle. “Mothers will also have ready access to the breadth of CCD’s other services and programs that can offer additional support, including parenting classes, food pantries, educational services, and more.”
CCD has a long history of facilitating adoptions of newborns and infants, as well as children coming out of foster care under Child Protective Services, part of the array of missions and programs that Catholic Charities provides throughout North Texas.
“Through their selfless love and devotion to mothers in need, the Burkles have created a truly remarkable and life-changing environment for these women, providing critical services, along with the respect, security, and dignity expectant mothers deserve,” said Dave Woodyard, president and CEO of CCD. “The alignment of our existing missions with that of Mater Maria is perfect and will serve to make us both stronger together.”
Countless and deeply devoted volunteers are the backbone of Mater Maria, and all aspects of operations will continue to be led by Mrs. Burkle, directing all affairs of the full mission. Current clients and future moms will not experience any change in service except for increased access to a broader range of assistance, including CCD’s missions servicing hunger, workforce development, housing, rental assistance, and more.
ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES DALLAS
CCD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and one of the leading social service providers in the greater Dallas region. Founded in 1941, CCD strives to educate, serve, and empower more than 200,000 clients in need annually across a nine-county region of North Texas, addressing the root causes of poverty and homelessness. As a large multi-disciplinary agency, CCD provides services in the following core areas: hunger alleviation; early childhood education; programming for low-income elderly; permanent supportive housing for the homeless; immigration legal services; parenting classes; pregnancy and adoption counseling; refugee resettlement; shelter and foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors; financial coaching and career development assistance; disaster preparedness and relief; and community health care. Additionally, CCD manages nearly a dozen properties, including our two St. Jude Centers, The Cottages at Hickory Crossing, and CityWalk @ Akard. For more information, please visit www.ccdallas.org.
