Summary

In 2024, the 168 agencies that make up the Catholic Charities network served more than 28 million meals to hungry men, women and children; provided emergency housing services to more than 295,000 people; and responded to 52 natural and manmade disasters – an average of one a week.

These efforts are reflected in the stories of people like Monique, who found permanent housing and employment assistance after leaving an unhealthy relationship; Todd, who at age 66, is having his first taste of semi-independent living in a group home for men with disabilities; and Koty and Jennifer who, with their two children, will finally be moving into a safe, permanent home after two hurricanes rendered their trailer uninhabitable.

Your generous support of Catholic Charities programs made these stories and so many more like them possible. We invite you now to learn more about the difference you made while helping us fulfill the Gospel mandate to care for the least of our sisters and brothers. Thank you. 

Summary

As Congress and the new administration consider priorities for the 119th Congress, CCUSA’s Social Policy Team advocates for funding to ensure people remain housed, fed and healthy.

CCUSA calls on Congress to prioritize programs that address the protection of all human life; religious liberty; poverty and racial justice; housing and homelessness; food and nutrition; economic security; climate change; support for disaster relief; support for children, youth and seniors; and immigration and refugee policies.
 

Summary

The Catholic Charities network serves more than 15 million people each year in communities all across the United States. Catholic Charities clients face just about every challenge you can imagine, but they all have one thing in common: in their moments of greatest need, they know they can rely on Catholic Charities for holistic support and a roadmap to health and stability. 

CCUSA offers assistance to local Catholic Charities agencies facing critical challenges — and fuels innovative solutions to complex problems, empowering our network to serve more people in need in even more effective ways. This impact report, which was shared with CCUSA supports in July 2024, represents a snapshot of the types of families, individuals and communities who are forging brighter futures with the help of Catholic Charities. 

Summary

In 2022, the Catholic Charities network, covering the United States and five territories, served more than 15 million people in need at more than 3,900 network sites. 

Read about how Catholic Charities agencies responded to natural disasters in Florida, Kentucky and Mississippi; welcomed to the United States Ukrainians fleeing war; helped parishes support community members who have experienced trauma; distributed food and diapers to families in need; and provided safe, affordable housing to vulnerable seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities.

We could not have accomplished all that we did in 2022 without the generosity of the many individuals, organizations and foundations that supported our mission to follow the gospel mandate of caring for the least of our sisters and brothers. Thank you.  

Summary

The five-year Healthy Housing Initiative has been piloted in five cities – Detroit, Las Vegas, Portland (Oregon), St. Louis and Spokane – where Catholic Charities staff are developing housing units, cultivating partnerships with Catholic healthcare systems, training case managers and engaging clients.

At the inception of this initiative, CCUSA and the agencies established goals that included reducing chronic homelessness in the pilot cities by 20%, reducing ER usage and hospital readmission rates by 25% and connecting 35% of newly housed individuals to primary care and behavioral health services. After three years, and despite the pandemic and other challenges along the way, the HHI has housed 500 chronically homeless individuals.

Summary

Through hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and fires, CCUSA’s nationally recognized expertise and professionally trained staff are there. In 2022, the Catholic Charities network responded to 59 disasters, supplying everything from water, food and diapers to temporary housing and emergency funding. 

In response to Hurricane Ian in Florida, flooding in Eastern Kentucky, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and the Jackson water crisis alone, the Catholic Charities network distributed:

• More than 3.5 million pounds of food;
• 500,000 pounds of emergency supplies; and
• $3.4 million in recovery funds.

All the while, CCUSA continues to educate and prepare agencies and responders, so they are ready for the next emergency.  

Summary

As Congress and the Biden administration finalize priorities for the 118th Congress, CCUSA’s Social Policy Team advocates for funding to ensure people remain housed, fed and healthy.

CCUSA calls on Congress to prioritize programs that address poverty and racial justice; housing and homelessness; food and nutrition; climate change; support for disaster relief; economic security; support for children, youth and seniors; immigration and refugee policies; religious liberty; and the protection of all human life.

Among the specific asks are support for polices to reduce homelessness; reauthorization of the Farm Bill and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); creation of a National Disaster Safety Board; funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP); and raising the minimum wage to a living wage.