When Tanya, a young mother participating in a Catholic Charities housing program, couldn’t afford to attend the graduation ceremony for her associate’s degree, we stepped in to help her celebrate her achievements.
Our Giving Hope Fund provided her with the chance to travel to the ceremony with her children so they could see her walk across the stage to accept her diploma. She felt it was important for her children to see the value she placed on education to motivate them in their schooling. The joy she felt attending her ceremony inspired and encouraged her to pursue her bachelor’s degree.
The Charities Resource Hub of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago serves as a front door for anyone coming to us for help. Our team distributes direct financial assistance to those who are eligible and in need. Sometimes, all it takes is a few hundred dollars to keep a family stably employed or housed.
The beauty of our Charities Resource Hub’s funds is the generosity and flexibility that private donations provide us to meet the needs of those who come to our doors for help.
We also recently assisted Sal, a senior and long-time resident of Lake County. Sal faces significant challenges in securing employment and is ineligible for public benefits. He works part-time jobs and relies on food pantries to support his family.
Sal and his family were at risk of eviction and becoming homeless. Our Giving Hope funds were able to support Sal and his family with rental assistance so they could maintain their housing. Sal said he was very grateful to Catholic Charities and his case manager for, once again, providing support to his family during a difficult chapter in his life.
Elizabeth, a mother of four and a domestic violence survivor, received assistance from our Giving Hope Fund for a badly needed car repair. She spent months worrying about the safety of herself and her children. Elizabeth wrote:
“These are the immediate benefits that my children and I have received:
“First, the benefit of feeling safe to transport my family to their school, medical, and recreational needs. Secondly, to be able to drive to my job and [not] fear losing the stability of working.
“I am a single parent, and I take care of the needs of my four children. This is a sacred responsibility and a sacrifice, but I assume [these] demands with joy because I love my children, and I know that God protects us. Having a safe vehicle helps me complete my everyday tasks.
“My gratitude is to all who contribute to help those who need help. I feel very blessed that we have received this timely and important help to improve the everyday life of my family. God bless all the people who make it possible for families like mine to receive financial support just when we need it the most. Amen.”
We hear stories like these every day that highlight the ways a small amount of financial assistance can make a lasting impact on those in our community. It can change the trajectory of a family’s life.
It’s a joy for my team and me to hear these stories, and we extend our thanks to those who support Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago so we can serve people in need in Cook and Lake counties.