Hope to Healing Initiative
What is Hope to Healing?
Hope to Healing is the philanthropic initiative to grow our counseling services, so our diocese always has a place to refer those in need.
Fr. Jacob Meyer, Pastor of St. Monica's parish in Mishawaka, IN, explains the most pressing need of our diocesan parishes and schools--professional mental health services delivered by Catholic Charities, and how the Hope to Healing Initiative can help.
HISTORY
In 2015, we were startled by the great need we uncovered for a trustworthy Catholic resource for professional counseling. To meet the many needs of our parish priests and Catholic schools personnel, we are undertaking our Hope to Healing capital campaign.
Catholic Charities is uniquely qualified with expertise in both mental-health services and Catholic teaching. We are the arm of the Church that is called upon to respond to physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs.
"Many of our family members, friends, or colleagues will encounter mental-health challenges at some point," says Hope to Healing co-chair Helen Nill. "So a sustainable counseling program is vital to creating a more mentally healthy diocese."
We have started by hiring a clinical liaison to help parishioners navigate the mental-health system. In South Bend, we have also hired a therapist who is serving the students and families of three Catholic schools. However, there is much more we need to do.
SCOPE OF NEED
160,317
Catholics in our diocese
20,000
will need help in their lifetime
13,668
Students in Catholic schools
1,640
will need help in their lifetime
22,000
Served by Catholic Charities Annually
2,160
will need help in their lifetime
INITIATIVE COMPONENTS
SERVICES
Trusted counseling for schools and parishes
Free mental health workshops
Clinical Liaison Services
OBJECTIVES
Provide trusted counseling for schools and parishes
Help clients navigate the mental health system
Become the diocesan resource for mental health
Meet Caroline
MAKING AN IMPACT
At present, we have one full-time counselor who is serving several Catholic schools in Allen County and one part-time counselor in South Bend, as well as a Clinical Liaison. We additionally offer Catholic schools, priests and parishes, at their request, staff and community training on a variety of topics related to mental health, such as: appropriate responses to disruptive behavior in the classroom, challenges presented to parents by children of all ages, and recognizing early signs of potential drug use, mental health in the electronic age, as well as build custom workshops.
TESTIMONIAL
Sacred Heart, Warsaw, teacher Monica Smith shares how impactful Catholic Charities' Counseling Program has been in her classroom. Watch more of Monica's testimonials here.