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…

Story - March 9, 2020 - Caregivers of those suffering from a mental illness receive compassion and patience from the specially-educated staff at Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) — a program under the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen umbrella that focuses on improving overall functioning and quality of life for the families and friends of adult individuals living with serious mental…

Story - September 13, 2019 - A hurricane blew Glenda Padín Rodríguez to New Jersey. A Puerto Rico native, Glenda, and her husband, decided soon after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in September 2017 that they needed to move to the mainland. “Everything changed,” she said of the deadly storm, which was so catastrophic that her husband, who worked in construction…

Story - January 10, 2019 - “I.T. is here. I.T. is here to fix your problem.” That’s the greeting staff members receive at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington (CCADW) when Joseph Jackson arrives at their work stations. Jackson, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age 3 (he’s 28 now), is one of CCADW’s I.T. technicians, and his typical…

Story - June 25, 2018 - In just one year, Carl felt like he lost everything. Several family members passed away, he lost his job, and the mother of his four children ended their relationship. That’s when his battle with alcoholism began. “I felt like I had no one to go to, so I turned to the bottle and hit rock…

Story - July 6, 2020 - Tharmini Umakaran came to the United States in 2018. She left her homeland of Sri Lanka at the age of five, fleeing civil war. Thirteen years later, as the nation celebrates World Refugee Day, June 20, Umakaran is thankful to those who helped her and her parents along the way. This year’s theme, “Every Action…

Story - September 29, 2020 - Bilaal was just a teenager when his life went off the rails. He joined a gang and found himself in and out of prison and using drugs. For eight years, he struggled. “I was always into something,” he said. By his mid-20s, he knew he needed to get back on track, for the sake of…

Story - June 25, 2018 - Delnita had her first drink at eight years old. A child of alcoholics, her drinking continued during her youth and adult life. “Alcoholism ran in my family and played a big role in my homelessness,” she said. Over the years, she also survived abuse. When Delnita’s apartment building was sold and the offers to “couch…

Story - February 27, 2020 - Jackie did not expect to become homeless because of the actions of someone close to her. Despite the uphill battle she faced, she rebuilt her life with a little help from Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Ohio. Jackie had done everything right in life. One Sunday morning, she was sitting in her home drinking tea…

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Story - April 23, 2020 - Catholic Charities’ Parish Engagement Program is tackling poverty through community building, direct services, and personal connections between volunteers and those seeking pathways to self-sufficiency. However, with social-distancing practices in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the program is now pivoting to find creative solutions to serve all those who seek help. “We are committed…

Story - September 13, 2019 - Robert Wade is a resident at Monsignor Bishop Manor. He first called on Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCCF) eight years ago when he needed a house he and his wife could afford. She died this past Spring, making the rent out of his reach. Once again, Catholic Charities stepped in. “When my wife died,…