Catholic Charities Client Profiles
Catholic Charities Client Profiles
Homelessness is an urgent and growing crisis in the United States. In response, many Catholic Charities agencies are building quality, affordable housing and offering wraparound services to help clients get back on their feet.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF STABILITY
Monique
After ending an unhealthy relationship, Monique suddenly found herself homeless. She spent four nights sleeping in her car, then she learned about Catholic Charities Community Services (Phoenix). Not only was she safer there, she had access to wraparound services such as hot meals, showers and hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, computer and employment assistance and case management to help her navigate community resources and create a plan for permanent housing. After a month and a half, she found housing, and with rental assistance and some used furniture from Catholic Charities, she moved into her own place. Now a food and beverage supervisor at a local business, she is humbled by her experience. “Catholic Charities gave me stability,” she said, but in the end, she did the hard work of remaking her life. “You are the person who is going to help yourself.”
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF STABILITY
Monique
After ending an unhealthy relationship, Monique suddenly found herself homeless. She spent four nights sleeping in her car, then she learned about Catholic Charities Community Services (Phoenix). Not only was she safer there, she had access to wraparound services such as hot meals, showers and hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, computer and employment assistance and case management to help her navigate community resources and create a plan for permanent housing. After a month and a half, she found housing, and with rental assistance and some used furniture from Catholic Charities, she moved into her own place. Now a food and beverage supervisor at a local business, she is humbled by her experience. “Catholic Charities gave me stability,” she said, but in the end, she did the hard work of remaking her life. “You are the person who is going to help yourself.”
Many clients of Catholic Charities face a tangle of complex issues that are inextricably intertwined with poverty. By addressing basic needs and offering clients a hand-up, agencies help the most vulnerable to stabilize and move forward.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF HOPE
Samantha
Samantha was expecting her second child, a boy, when she made the brave decision to leave an abusive relationship. She took her four-year-old daughter and moved to St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional and Maternity Housing. She knew it was best for her children, and for herself. Samantha has been there the better part of a year now, gaining life skills through financial literacy classes, employment training and intensive case management. She’s been making an impression on the other residents by passing along gently used baby and children’s clothing and even setting up a Christmas tree for a resident who’d just given birth. A hair stylist by training, she’s working retail to supplement her earnings and eventually plans to offer free haircuts to those in need when she opens her own business. “Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington provided not only a roof over our heads, but safety, support, kindness, comfort, protection and the ability to continue my faith in the Lord,” said Samantha.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF HOPE
Samantha
Samantha was expecting her second child, a boy, when she made the brave decision to leave an abusive relationship. She took her four-year-old daughter and moved to St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional and Maternity Housing. She knew it was best for her children, and for herself. Samantha has been there the better part of a year now, gaining life skills through financial literacy classes, employment training and intensive case management. She’s been making an impression on the other residents by passing along gently used baby and children’s clothing and even setting up a Christmas tree for a resident who’d just given birth. A hair stylist by training, she’s working retail to supplement her earnings and eventually plans to offer free haircuts to those in need when she opens her own business. “Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington provided not only a roof over our heads, but safety, support, kindness, comfort, protection and the ability to continue my faith in the Lord,” said Samantha.
Creating sustainable career pathways and equipping clients with marketable job skills is one way Catholic Charities agencies help members of their communities earn a living wage and stop the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF RESILIENCE
Ashley
When she entered the five-year Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago, Ashley was reluctant. “Five years is a lot,” said the now-31-year-old mother of two. Her case manager asked about her career goals, and she had only one: Make it to the next day. Recently divorced with a new baby, she was working odd jobs to make ends meet. With the program’s help, Ashley moved out of her roach-infested apartment, ultimately landing in a clean, safe rental with space to cook or invite family over. She started working security and then driving a school bus, where she absolutely shines, forging a genuine rapport with middle and high schoolers whose names she knows by heart. Today, Ashley feels only gratitude. “FSS really opened doors and changed my thought process,” she said. “I always felt like I couldn’t do it. They helped me to see you can do anything.”
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF RESILIENCE
Ashley
When she entered the five-year Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago, Ashley was reluctant. “Five years is a lot,” said the now-31-year-old mother of two. Her case manager asked about her career goals, and she had only one: Make it to the next day. Recently divorced with a new baby, she was working odd jobs to make ends meet. With the program’s help, Ashley moved out of her roach-infested apartment, ultimately landing in a clean, safe rental with space to cook or invite family over. She started working security and then driving a school bus, where she absolutely shines, forging a genuine rapport with middle and high schoolers whose names she knows by heart. Today, Ashley feels only gratitude. “FSS really opened doors and changed my thought process,” she said. “I always felt like I couldn’t do it. They helped me to see you can do anything.”
Access to behavioral health care can act as a safety net of hope for those struggling with mental health issues or the epidemic of loneliness. Catholic Charities agencies are committed to providing emotional support for those who need it.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF AUTONOMY
Todd
Until two years ago, Todd was still living at home. In 1978, at age 21, he was diagnosed with a significant behavioral health condition that meant he would never live independently. His mother Dolores has been Todd’s lifelong advocate. Two years ago, Todd applied for a vacancy in a group home operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s residential services program. Today, he’s living in a semi-supervised home learning how to live more autonomously — cooking, doing laundry, taking the bus and paying bills. “Everybody in the house is nice, and I like the staff,” Todd, now 66, said. His mother couldn’t be happier with his progress. “I’m so glad he is surrounded by people who take such good care of him,” she said. “Catholic Charities offers so many resources and provided Todd with a lot of help he wouldn’t have been able to get on his own.”
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF AUTONOMY
Todd
Until two years ago, Todd was still living at home. In 1978, at age 21, he was diagnosed with a significant behavioral health condition that meant he would never live independently. His mother Dolores has been Todd’s lifelong advocate. Two years ago, Todd applied for a vacancy in a group home operated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton’s residential services program. Today, he’s living in a semi-supervised home learning how to live more autonomously — cooking, doing laundry, taking the bus and paying bills. “Everybody in the house is nice, and I like the staff,” Todd, now 66, said. His mother couldn’t be happier with his progress. “I’m so glad he is surrounded by people who take such good care of him,” she said. “Catholic Charities offers so many resources and provided Todd with a lot of help he wouldn’t have been able to get on his own.”
The growing frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters mean that any community could face catastrophic losses from fire, flood and more. Catholic Charities agencies are there for immediate humanitarian relief and long-term recovery.
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF RECOVERY
Koty & Jennifer
Koty, Jennifer and their two school-age children were living in the mobile home Koty’s mother grew up in — tight quarters, but it worked. Then North Carolina was rocked first by Hurricane Matthew and then by Hurricane Florence in a 20-month period. Mold and electrical issues soon made the trailer uninhabitable, but they had no other options. Koty’s kidney failure meant the family was surviving entirely on Jennifer’s salary as a phlebotomist at the county hospital, with no money to move. Then Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh stepped in with emergency funds, a true lifesaver. The agency provided the family a travel trailer to live in onsite, allowing the kids to stay at their school during a difficult time and saving Jennifer a significant increase in her commute. Catholic Charities is building the family a permanent home. “Being offered this new home means so much,” said Jennifer. “It gives me peace of mind to know that my family and I will have a decent place to live.”
PATHWAYS FORWARD: A STORY OF RECOVERY
Koty & Jennifer
Koty, Jennifer and their two school-age children were living in the mobile home Koty’s mother grew up in — tight quarters, but it worked. Then North Carolina was rocked first by Hurricane Matthew and then by Hurricane Florence in a 20-month period. Mold and electrical issues soon made the trailer uninhabitable, but they had no other options. Koty’s kidney failure meant the family was surviving entirely on Jennifer’s salary as a phlebotomist at the county hospital, with no money to move. Then Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh stepped in with emergency funds, a true lifesaver. The agency provided the family a travel trailer to live in onsite, allowing the kids to stay at their school during a difficult time and saving Jennifer a significant increase in her commute. Catholic Charities is building the family a permanent home. “Being offered this new home means so much,” says Jennifer. “It gives me peace of mind to know that my family and I will have a decent place to live.”
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