As the United States celebrated the 250th anniversary of our founding, Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) closed another fiscal year with fresh reminders of the many ways the Catholic Charities network strengthens the fabric of American communities.

Even before the country's existence, the Catholic Church was helping to address the urgent and emerging needs of those living in poverty. This June, as schoolchildren around the nation started their summer breaks, CCUSA began shipping food to our local agencies to ensure all families had enough to put on the table. At the time of this writing, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, our agencies already have received more than 400,000 pounds of nutritious items.

Beyond meeting immediate needs, CCUSA also continues to fuel innovations and strategies that drive systemic change and large-scale solutions. Our Helping Hands program, which has now expanded to 40 agencies, has proven incredibly effective at stabilizing families in crisis: nearly 90% of recipients of rent, mortgage, or utility assistance — with an average grant size of only $1,500 — remained stably housed one year after receiving support.

Meanwhile, our nationwide forums, comprehensive academic research, and grassroots advocacy campaign dedicated to finding common-sense solutions to homelessness and housing affordability helped inform the landmark housing legislation that became law in July. And our cutting-edge pilot programs aimed at better outcomes for expectant mothers living in poverty and individuals struggling with mental-health challenges in rural communities both hold immense potential.

These accomplishments of the past fiscal year, and so many more, are only possible because of the compassion and generosity of our supporters. Thank you for your sustained commitment to offering a hand-up to those most in need all around this great nation.

With deep gratitude,

Anthony T. Sciacca
Executive Vice President
& Chief Development Officer