Story - October 21, 2019 - “He probably would have killed me,” said Sara when asked where she thought she would be without Catholic Social Services. When Sara decided to leave one December morning two years ago, it was not because the previous night’s fight had been the first to get violent. They had plenty of physical altercations in their nine…

Story - August 11, 2015 - For the first time – after a state of emergency was declared due to a water crisis in West Virginia – Catholic Charities West Virginia was able to provide a quick, effective method for local residents to respond to a disaster by accepting cash donations through text messaging. Funds raised through the text2give campaign supported…

Story - September 26, 2016 - The word “gleaning” may bring to mind the biblical book of Ruth in which its eponymous character gleans grain from the fields of Boaz. “Gleaning” refers to the ancient practice of allowing poor people to harvest the surplus produce from a farmer’s field. Despite its early origins gleaning still happens today wherever there are farms,…

Story - August 11, 2015 - Adoption is an option. That’s the message Kim Harrell of Catholic Charities in Arlington, Va., wants women with a crisis pregnancy to understand. Most only see two options:  parenting their child or having an abortion. In presenting adoption as a third option, Harrell, director of pregnancy services and adoption, helps expectant mothers understand what adoption…

Story - September 13, 2018 - After the devastating loss of her mother, Victoria’s life turned upside down. “She was my backbone, and when she died, I gave up on life all together.” Overwhelmed with grief and depression, Victoria got addicted to drugs, lost her job and became homeless. She remembers begging God every day for the strength to go on.…

Story - July 28, 2021 - By By Susan Smith, Communications and Grants Coordinator, Catholic Charities of Louisville Staff at Catholic Charities of Louisville like to tell people that during the pandemic their services never lapsed. For example, the Sister Visitor Center didn’t miss one day of providing food and emergency financial assistance to people in Louisville’s poorest neighborhoods and the Language…

Story - August 12, 2016 - “If you like your life, if you want to live, you have to escape. You cannot fight, you have to escape. You have two options. Nomore.” Edrees worked as an interpreter for the United States Army and other American organizations when he was in Iraq. Every day he lived in constant fear for his life…

Story - December 1, 2021 - By Maura Sullivan Hill When Sister Jen Berridge visits patients in their rooms at Wheeling Hospital, more often than not she comes bearing gifts: a box of groceries, paper goods, and hygiene products from the on-site Catholic Charities food pantry for the patient to take home.  As the Hospital Transition Program case manager for Catholic Charities West Virginia (CC WVa.), Sister Jen supports vulnerable West Virginians to ensure a safe and…

Story - June 16, 2016 - When Mamie Sanders received the letter from her landlord stating her rent would be considerably raised, she had no choice but to move out in 30 days. With affordable housing a rare find, she and her three children (ages 12, 17 and 18) were without anywhere to live. So they split up and stayed with…

Story - May 5, 2023 - Rock stars usually become famous with sharp vocals or by shredding on an electric guitar so loudly that it peels the paint off houses. Renatta Robertson is a rock star volunteer at Germaine’s Kitchen and Café whose tools include sharp knives, graters and peelers for vegetables. But her main implement is a passion for service…

Story - March 1, 2018 - Robert Brooks recently celebrated six months of addiction recovery and is determined to make this change lifelong. He credits his experience at Catholic Charities Partners in Recovery program for helping him take this immeasurable step. OPENING UP “Coming to Partners in Recovery was the best decision I ever made,” Robert says. He attends counseling groups…

Story - April 20, 2020 - Catholic Charities, others are inundated, and people and backers are helping. Norb Sticha, a retired electrician from New Prague, spent one morning last week making sandwiches with fellow volunteers at the central kitchen and warehouse of Catholic Charities near downtown St. Paul. Sticha, who is 66, started cooking one meal a month at the kitchen…