Year Four Reflection by the CCSEM Team  

The words of Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 25:35-37 continue to inspire the work of CCSEM in the city of Detroit.  

CCSEM’s Center for the Works of Mercy provides a space for those experiencing poverty and in need of help. The process of helping someone obtain healthy, secure and affordable housing starts with understanding the needs and barriers that are standing in their way. Our staff works diligently to assist individuals in accessing the services and resources they need to succeed in securing a place of their own and improving their well-being. The support is tangible in the form of food, clothing and hygiene supplies; help completing applications and applying for benefits and financial aid for housing; and help in accessing other resources. There are also the intangible benefits of a warm smile, encouraging words and the provision of hope. Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”   

Year Four Reflection by the CCSN Team  

The implementation of case management at the St. Vincent Apartments has enabled us to offer essential wraparound services to our residents, who might not otherwise seek assistance. We have assisted approximately 115 people, many of whom have previously experienced homelessness for an extended time. They have transitioned from hopelessness to a place where hope is a genuine and palpable reality. After spending time in emergency shelters, encampments, on the streets and other places not meant for human habitation, many of our current residents now call St. Vincent home.    

Our Residential Services Case Management Team oversees up to 120 active cases, ensuring clients remain secure, self-sufficient and hopeful. Case managers actively assist with needs and appointments such as medical, mental and dental health; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicare/Medicaid applications/renewals; Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits; Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); transportation, clothing and food and nutrition; and crucial life skills so clients can maintain stable, healthy lives. 

Success Story 
The client approached the case management team and requested a walker due to scoliosis in his back. The client met with our case manager to complete the necessary paperwork and received a brand-new walker, provided by St. Vincent Apartments Case Management, on the same day.   

Year Four Reflection by the CCO Team 

CCO continues to identify opportunities to serve the most vulnerable populations in the state with our healthcare partner, Providence Health & Services Oregon. Our experiences this year included:  

• Ruth, 79 and living on Social Security, rolled up her sleeve for vaccinations during a health fair at Catholic Charities’ Sacred Heart Village in Portland. “I wouldn’t have made it to the doctor to do this,” she admits, giving a smile and a thumbs-up.
• At Kateri Park, a concerned Afghan refugee mother brought her preschool son to a team of Providence Health nurses who made him giggle with funny faces, examined him and referred him to a physician.  
• A food pantry at McCoy Village brought fruits and vegetables to dozens of families of color who otherwise could not afford fresh food.  

In year five, we look forward to partnering with Providence on a development in Newberg, Oregon, that will include eight recuperative care (respite) units. We are encouraged by the work already done and look forward to another year of serving those in need with innovative ways to improve health and human thriving.    

Year Four Reflection by the CCEW Team  

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington works to affirm the dignity of all people by developing and managing affordable, supportive housing communities. This was a very positive and productive year for our work with the Healthy Housing Initiative in service of that overarching goal.  

In addition to the development and management of the Bishop Skylstad Commons and Mother Teresa Haven properties, our service staff works to provide comprehensive and varied case management approaches to assist residents in achieving stability, economic mobility and self-sufficiency. This includes peer support, healthcare coordination, behavior health and substance use disorder (SUD) services.  

As we reflect on year four of this initiative, we are in awe of the success and resiliency of our clients. And as we move into year five, we are dedicated to continued improvement in physical and mental health outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community. 

Year Four Reflection by the CCSTL Team  

St. Patrick Center, a ministry of Catholic Charities St. Louis, the Hospital to Healthy Housing Program and the Healthy Housing Initiative, is providing hope and housing services to community members experiencing homelessness. Our focus is on providing critical services to individuals who often are forgotten about and have no place to go but the hospital in order to receive social services.  We provide access to immediate housing, wraparound services and connections to primary care, psychiatry and other resources needed to maintain housing.  We are lucky to have great programs to link to at St. Patrick Center and around the community.   

Our hospital program addresses homelessness in several different settings.  We have staff in the emergency department working with unhoused and housing insecure individuals to connect them to housing, shelter and resources.  Many of those we see will end up receiving services at St. Patrick Center, either in our hospital or other programs.  Most importantly, we are providing safe, dignified housing with critical, lifesaving services to our most vulnerable community members.