catholic charities Services and trends

Catholic Charities’ mission is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures and to call the church and other people of good will to do the same. Catholic Charities is the administrative arm of the bishop and carries out social concern activities in the Diocese of Youngstown.

Agencies: Catholic Charities Regional Agency (330-744-3320) covers Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and served more than 14,000 people last year. Other agencies are Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County; Catholic Charities serving Portage and Stark counties; and Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities.

Last year: Catholic Charities agencies served more than 45,000 people in 2014; an increase of about 3,000 people from 2013. All qualifying people in need are served, as resources allow, regardless of their religious affiliation. A person does not have to be Catholic to receive services at Catholic Charities.

What people need: Seventy-three percent of people coming to Catholic Charities agencies are provided emergency assistance with the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, utility and prescription assistance.

Family help: An increasing number of pregnant women, mothers and families with young children continue to access Catholic Charities’ First Step Programs across the diocese. First Step offers help with baby and toddler essentials and case management services to help link families with resources available in the community.

The homeless: This outreach continues to be a growing need, and Catholic Charities locally has responded to the challenge of Pope Francis to be “among the people.” Caseworkers from this agency go out into the streets to offer a compassionate hand to those individuals and families who are homeless and without a support system to help them through difficult times.

Source: Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown