Story - January 8, 2019 - “The opium that you sent is pure and of good quality. I hope you will take care of the seed,” wrote Dr. Thomas Bond of Philadelphia to a Pennsylvania farmer on August 24, 1781 (Proceedings, American Pharmaceutical Association, 13 (1865) 5:1). Opiates were legally and freely accessible in the United States from physicians, drug and…

Story - January 7, 2019 - Arlene McGuinness was referred to Catholic Charities after a shattering chain of events, beginning with a lupus diagnosis. At the same time she was caring for family members experiencing their own crises. Then, within a year, she would lose her primary source of income and be in danger of losing everything. Suffering from severe depression,…

Story - January 7, 2019 - People living and working near the city dump in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, lived on $10 a day and had no bank accounts. Their sources of credit were street lenders with loans at exorbitant interest rates. In 2015, the Solidarity Foundation set up savings groups in the community. The organization provided financial information and training and…

Story - December 11, 2018 - Sara*, a Nigerian survivor of domestic violence, had lived undocumented in the United States for over 20 years. She endured years of severe physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her U.S. citizen husband. Sara did not know of any available alternative to her situation. Catholic Charities recognized that Sara qualified for relief under…

Story - December 11, 2018 - Ten years ago, Catholic Charities represented Than*, a U.S. citizen, who was working to bring her four siblings to the United States from Vietnam. Her petitions were filed and sent to await visa availability. As siblings of a U.S. citizen, Than’s siblings had to wait over 10 years for visas to become available to them.…

Story - November 28, 2018 - He’s been called the pastor for the poor. Father John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (CCADW), thinks the title speaks not only about him but also about Catholic Charities. “This is the best job in the world,” Enzler said, “because we get to be people who take care…

Story - November 14, 2018 - Two years ago Hollee Hook faced a mid-life career change and loss of income while grieving the death of her longtime partner and raising her 13-year-old son by herself. Thanks to the Uplifting Parents (UP) program at Catholic Social Services, Hollee has a new career in surgical technology and a job she loves. “I was…

Story - November 15, 2018 - Jim Caviezel wanted to play in the NBA and later become a fighter pilot. God had other plans, however, which is good news for the American movie industry and Caviezel’s three children. The actor spoke recently about his life, his career and his faith at a fundraising gala for Catholic Charities Jackson, which focuses on…

Story - November 1, 2018 - In 2012, in response to the tragedy of five youths dying by suicide, staff at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City (CCAOKC) decided to establish a suicide prevention program for the community using a trauma-informed care approach. Amy Shipman, director of counseling, and Aimee Ryan, director of social work, were part of the…

Story - November 1, 2018 - Catholic Charities of Baltimore is implementing a trauma-informed care approach throughout its agency to improve interactions not only with clients but also among staff. The process began within the Family Services division of the agency, according to Jon Hackbarth, who until recently had worked as a mental health care administrator at Catholic Charities. “That’s where…

Prayer & Reflection - December 26, 2024 - Today the Church celebrates St. Stephen, one of the Church’s first deacons, and the first martyr. December 26 was chosen as his feast as his relics were discovered on this day in 415. I believe, though, that it’s more than just a coincidence that his feast falls on the day after Christmas. In the joy…

Story - November 8, 2018 - Ashenafi Anota, administration and transportation coordinator for Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), knows how good can come out of disasters. ”I have seen so many volunteers helping at churches and distribution centers,” Ahenafi said. “Even random people who happened to see me at a location have said to me that they would help if we need…