Story - September 13, 2018 - Rayenell admits to messing up his marriage and a good, long-term job. “After that, I just didn’t care anymore; I wanted to be left alone.” The Illinois native endured 20 years of homelessness. “Indoors, outdoors, on the river and it wasn’t anybody’s fault but mine.” Over the years, Rayenell learned how to get what he…

Prayer & Reflection - December 2, 2024 - Recently, I was out walking, as I often do, reflecting on all that has gone on in the last few weeks, and thinking about how I would like to “let Advent” make things different. Of course, there is so much going on in my agency, especially as we prepare to make Christmas special for others, but…

Story - April 21, 2018 - The Refugee Assistance in MicroEnterprise Project in Florida Throughout the Catholic Charities ministry, a small but growing number of agencies have been exploring “microbusiness” programs, providing entrepreneurship training and access to small, credit-building loans for clients who want to start their own business. Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has partnered with the SunTrust Foundation to support…

Story - April 12, 2018 - Imagine the excitement of being a teenager and preparing to take important steps toward adulthood, such as receiving a driver’s license or being accepted to a college. “Imagine” was all that Maria Garcia Riopedre could do until 2012, when she learned of the federal government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program through Catholic Charities…

Story - March 1, 2018 - “I just love seeing people and socializing,” said Michael. “I learned that the most important thing to wear every day is a smile.” Yet life wasn’t always ‘all smiles’ for Michael. RECOVERY JOURNEY Two decades ago, he ended up hospitalized after a dispute with a neighbor. While in the hospital, a friend recommended that he…

Story - March 1, 2018 - Behind the statistics of homelessness in Central New Jersey are real people like Flory, who, with a little temporary housing assistance from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, can pull themselves out of homelessness. A smart, easy-going elderly woman, Flory, was living on the streets several months ago. At this low point in her life, when…

Story - January 30, 2018 - After Hurricane Maria devastated thousands in Puerto Rico in September, Catholic Charities began to see individuals and families turning to us for help. They had left Puerto Rico in the midst of great devastation and resettled in Chicago. Working with the City of Chicago, Catholic Charities and other social service agencies opened a multi-agency resource…

Story - January 29, 2018 - Jonathan opens a bright purple folder, filled with copies of his handwritten stories. Behind his brown-framed glasses, his friendly eyes dance as he reads each carefully chosen word. Jonathan has attended Catholic Charities St. Ailbe Adult Day Services Center for five years and it’s provided him with an audience to share his work. St Ailbe…

Story - April 12, 2018 - When Kim’s world came crashing down around her, she remembered something her mother always told her, “When you’re in need, go to church.” Four years before, Kim’s brother died suddenly in a car crash, leaving her the sole caretaker of her mother, as her father had died of Parkinson’s years before. Soon after, her mother…

Story - January 18, 2018 - Reggie found himself homeless in an unlikely way. While working at a local hospital, he racked up some parking tickets. “I missed my court dates because I had to take care of my sick sister and couldn’t get off work.” After spending a night in jail, Reggie was let go from his job. “I was…

Story - January 19, 2018 - Project HOPE (Homeless Outreach Partnership Effort) organized a “Spa Day” for women experiencing homelessness and those dangerously close to homelessness. The event, which took place on Sunday, Jan. 7, came about through a partnership with Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa). The “Spa Day” was held for approximately 30 women at the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center…

Story - January 16, 2018 - Teddy and Dan met on Teddy’s birthday. Typically, our youth at the TIME for ME Mentoring Program at Catholic Charities get a cake on their birthday and this was no exception. This year turned out extra special for Teddy. He has been eagerly awaiting to turn nine so he may be mentor-eligible officially. Not expecting…