A Letter from the CEO
STRENGTHENED BY HOPE
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” John 1:5
At Catholic Charities, we serve people of all races, ethnicities, faiths, and political affiliations, just as Christ modeled. We serve everyone not because they are Catholic, but because we are. Each day, I witness people walking through our doors seeking material help, but many are also quietly desiring to be seen, heard, and understood. They are looking for some light in their darkness. They want to be treated with dignity and respect, not harsh judgment. Our mission is to serve all those in need as Christ calls us to do. With faithful hearts, our team takes on this mission and strives to be that light for each person we encounter.
It has been one year since we launched our new strategic plan, Building Roads to Hope, and I am pleased to report that those we serve are already benefiting from our strategic initiatives: to live out our Catholic Identity; to serve our most vulnerable neighbors; to protect life and support families; to nourish and heal heart, mind, and soul; and to build organizational capacity.
Throughout our new Impact Report, you will read client stories of how your support is making a difference in their lives. Your prayers and financial support fuel our mission, and we are grateful for your partnership.
The overarching goal of Building Roads to Hope is to share the light of Christ in every personal encounter and to help those we serve reach sustainable self-sufficiency and well-being. With the successful launch of our Thrive faith-based Life-Skills Program; the enhancement of our Diocesan mental health ministries; the strengthening of our community partnerships for the benefit of our refugee families; and the expansion of our Immigration Legal Services through the generosity of a gift from Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, we are building new roads to hope.
Strengthened by Hope is the natural evolution of our strategic plan. We focus on strengthening the people we serve through our programming, but perhaps more importantly, by being a source of hope and light in their lives. The cover of this year’s report depicts a family who has overcome challenges but now stands in the sunrise of hope. Through our mission in Christ, we work as His hands and feet, charged with bringing hope to all. We are blessed to be part of their story.
I am grateful and humbled by your partnership. With 88% of every gift going directly into services, we remain steadfast in being good stewards of your charity. I humbly ask for your continued prayers and financial support, as we continue building new roads to hope and being a source of light and strength for our most vulnerable neighbors.