Voice of Charity

An important part of living out our faith is a commitment to work on behalf of and with the hungry, sick, poor and strangers in need. The people who turn to Catholic Charities for help are often the voiceless, living on the margins and sometimes forgotten. We have been the voice of those in need, and advocate to elected leadership to never lose sight of the poor when developing policies. Every year, Catholic Charities staff and board members take an annual trip to the State Capitol in Springfield to advocate on behalf of our clients and programs. This year, Advocacy Days take place March 26-27. Catholic Charities Director of Government Relations, Stephanie Johnson and Director of Government Grants and Advocacy, Ann Grelecki join Monsignor Boland to share more about the integral role of Catholic Charities Office of Government Relations in furthering the mission of the agency.

As our population ages, Catholic Charities is blessed and committed to help build a culture that honors and values our oldest members, treating them with love, compassion and dignity. For more than 35 years, Catholic Charities has provided resources and services to seniors in Lake County including meals, socialization activities, home care, adult day services, and other community-based support so they could remain healthy and engaged in their own homes or our facilities. Catholic Charities is also the sole provider of federally funded programs in Lake County for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels. . Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about Catholic Charities senior services in Lake County are Marla Harris, department director of senior services and Meisha Lyons, associate vice-president of senior services.

Catholic Charities has 15,000 volunteers who provide valuable support and expertise while carrying out the mission of serving the most vulnerable. With the help of volunteers Catholic Charities is able to strengthen and support individuals, families and communities through more than 150 programs serving those most in need in Cook and Lake counties every year. As a way of growing community partnerships, Catholic Charities partners with academic institutions at various levels including high schools and colleges. One program that has successfully grown and continues to instill new ways of giving back is the Christian Service Project at Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Catholic Charities Regional Director for the west region of Cook County, Esmeralda Zepeda and Theology teacher and Moderator of the Fenwick High School Christian Service Project, Brother John Steilberg join Monsignor Boland to share more about this unique partnership.

Many know the importance of good mental health, but how do you achieve it? Often times, thoughts and behaviors can help determine if you or a loved one needs help. Catholic Charities offers behavioral health care and counseling services, helping those we serve achieve optimal quality of life, health and well-being. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss how Catholic Charities incorporates wellness and recovery principals to help clients become self-sufficient and healthy are Pat Broderick and Bob Arvidson who work as counselors in Catholic Charities Holbrook Counseling Center.

Over the years, Catholic Charities has offered comprehensive services so that seniors are able to live independently or with caregiver in their own homes and communities. In addition, we have expanded to meet the changing needs of seniors who may be low –income or living alone without family nearby through our Home Care Program. Catholic Charities Vice-President of Senior Services, Mary Ann Bibat and Associate Vice President of Senior Services, Community Based Services and Auxiliary Services, Angela Taylor join Monsignor Boland to share more.

January is National Mentoring Month and there are about 9 million young people without a mentor outside their family to help them on their path to adulthood and beyond. At Catholic Charities we work to provide youth with positive roles models who encourage good decision making and serve as a friend in times of need. This is particularly important in communities where children are facing challenging circumstances due to poverty and violence. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss Catholic Charities youth mentoring program in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood is Nico May, Youth Mentorship Program Coordinator for the Back of the Yards program and Pedro Martinez, Youth Mentorship program intern and a senior at Northeastern Illinois University.

Hunger is one of the biggest problems we face today. Nearly 800,000 people throughout Chicago are food insecure and many of those impacted are children. The winter months can sometimes be challenging for families trying to make ends meet. At Catholic Charities, we recognize the importance of quality nutrition and we work to provide healthy meals to families in need. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss the various ways Catholic Charities provides food and nutrition education and services is Diane Nunley, Associate Vice-Present Special Supplemental Food and Tal Vanek, Assistant Director Special Supplement Food.

This time of year can be a happy time for many, but for a family in crisis, it can be a difficult. Many individuals and families can experience unforeseen events such as losing a job or home and struggling to pay bills, provide food for their family, or stay warm this winter. Catholic Charities Family Stabilization Services provides assistance to families in need of emergency food, clothing, housing employment assistance and referrals. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about our services for those most in need and who are struggling during this time of year is Sharon Tillman, department director of Catholic Charities Family Stabilization Services and Kendrea Atkins, Program Supervisor of Catholic Charities.

The holiday season brings a time of joy for many families, but it can also be a time of stress and uncertainty for those who struggle to make ends meet. For over 70 years, Catholic Charities has helped children and families through our annual Celebration of Giving gift-giving program. Gifts are distributed to more than 25,000 children and families throughout Cook and Lake counties every holiday season. Not only are families blessed by these gifts, but our donors and volunteers find meaning in giving back and create a special tradition through Celebration of Giving. Marie Jochum, Associate Director of Board Relations and Mission Engagement and Melissa Dicesare, Volunteer Relations Manager join Monsignor Boland to share more.

A new generation of supporters driven by the mission of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is the Junior Board. Now in its 16th year, the Junior Board has successfully grown to more than 400 dedicated members. The Junior Board enables younger benefactors to support Catholic Charities in order to directly fulfill their service, social and spiritual missions. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about the Junior Board and the wonderful work they do is Noreen Russo, Catholic Charities Junior Board Manager and Joe Hetland, Co-Vice Chair of Catholic Charities Junior Board.

Veterans issues are frequently in the headlines, particularly stories about homelessness, joblessness, and lack of medical services. Today, with more than 22 million veterans in the U.S., the needs still remain and Catholic Charities is still there, finding new ways to support veterans and their families. Our Veterans Employment Program was created with the goal of helping veterans find and secure employment. In the past year, we’ve helped more than 9,000 veterans through support services including job training and housing. To discuss the impact of the Veteran Employment Program, Tony Kochevar, marketing and veterans outreach coordinator for Catholic Charities and Mitch Siegel, job developer for Catholic Charities Employment Program in Lake County, join Monsignor Boland for a conversation.

Teens can face intense stress and experience anxiety from a variety of family and school pressures. Catholic Charities new support group at the Tolton Peace Center in the Austin neighborhood will help teenagers combat stress, set goals, and connect with other teens for support. The new group, “Understanding Me and My Story,” will meet every Wednesday evening for seven weeks beginning November 7. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about the new teen support group is Jessica Meade, clinical manager with Catholic Charities Community Family Service Center and Hector Rivera, director of Youth and Family Therapy Services with Catholic Charities.

Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) is a free program offered by Catholic Charities that supports individuals who are impacted by suicide of a family member or person close to them. LOSS offers a safe, non-judgmental environment where survivors of suicide can openly talk about feelings and experiences. Catholic Charities educates members about the grieving process and assists with coping skills to help regain hope and strength. To share more about the LOSS program, Emily Tegankamp, Program Coordinator with LOSS, joins Monsignor Boland for a conversation.

On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. Breaking the cycle of violence has been an essential part of the services provided by Catholic Charities for many generations. Some of the programs Catholic Charities offers to those impacted by domestic violence include workshops and support groups where survivors have the opportunity to share stories in a safe and nurturing environment. Other services include assistance with specialized legal immigration services to survivors, housing, and parish ministries focused on domestic violence. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about Catholic Charities domestic violence services is Kelly Vaughan, Assistant Director Clinical Supervisor for Catholic Charities House of Good Shepherd and Stephany Ortiz, Immigration Survivors Project Specialist with Catholic Charities.

As we enter our 101st year, Catholic Charities has remained as one of the largest advocates of ending homelessness and serving the needs of low income residents of Cook and Lake counties. Since our founding, whether the economy is thriving or struggling, Catholic Charities has focused on addressing the affordable housing crisis and its impact on all populations. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about the importance of providing affordable housing and resources to sustain it is Stephanie Johnson, Director of Government Relations for Catholic Charities and Eileen Higgins, Vice-President of Housing for Catholic Charities.

Open House Chicago is a free architecture-focused event that’s open to the public at sites throughout Chicago October 13-14. For the second year in a row, Catholic Charities chapel at its 721 N. LaSalle Street location will be one of the sites the public can visit. Also, two new Catholic Charities sites have been added to the tour, they are the Father Augustus Tolton Peace Center and the Peace Corner Youth Center in the Austin neighborhood. Kristine Kappel and Christie Richardson of Catholic Charities join Monsignor Boland to share more.

Unemployment among young people continues to be high, with young African American males facing a 40% unemployment rate. For those who were recently incarcerated, finding a job can be even more difficult. Catholic Charities has several job training programs for youth all the way through our senior population. The agency’s new program, Strong Futures, works with young adults ages 18 – 24, with a particular emphasis on supporting ex-offenders in helping them obtain meaningful training and employment. Joining Monsignor Boland to talk about this new program and Catholic Charities approach to job training is Associate Vice President at Catholic Charities Gina Cleggs and Strong Futures program manager Enrique Alonso.

Catholic Charities is blessed to enjoy partnerships with parishes throughout the Archdiocese. A recent partnership with Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan has allowed for an expansion of services with the programs founded by the parish, including a domestic violence shelter for women and children, a community center, a meal program and food pantry. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss the partnership is Terri Denny, Senior Director of Regional Services and Lake County Regional Manager.

There are an estimated 50,000 new HIV infections every year in the U.S. Catholic Charities was an early responder to the HIV/AIDS crisis and continues to provide services to support those impacted by HIV or AIDS each year. Joining Monsignor Boland to discuss the challenges those with HIV and AIDS face and the services and support Catholic Charities provides is Pat Drott, program director of the HIV/AIDS ministry at the agency.

There are nearly 44 million immigrants living in the United States. In Chicago, a city built on the backs of immigrants, Catholic Charities provides many services and programs to support our immigrant population. With much in the news about immigration, Monsignor Boland invited Cary Rositas-Sheftel, manager of Latino Initatives, and Nancy Gavilanes, Director of Immigration Services at Catholic Charities to join him and share how Catholic Charities supports immigrants and help listeners understand the latest in immigration news.

One in five children in our communities is at risk of going hungry each day, and the problem is even more prevalent in the summer when children are not in school. Catholic Charities answers the call to feed our neighbor with its annual summer meal program. The program ensures children have a healthy meal in a safe location and also provides activities and nutrition education. Lupe Villaneuva joins Monsignor Boland to discuss childhood hunger and the Catholic Charities summer meal program.

Catholic Charities child development centers are safe places for children to learn and grow while parents work. The centers follow nationally tested practices and ensure children in under-served communities receive the best early childhood education. Petra Gutierrez and Derbert Plaza talk with Monsignor Boland about the experiences of children and parents at Catholic Charities child development centers.

Two years ago, Pope Francis opened the first showers for the homeless in St. Peter’s Square. As part of the agency’s Century of Hope celebration, Catholic Charities made it a priority to offer the same. Matthew Shay and Andrew McKernin talk with Monsignor Boland about the new Pope Francis Ministries at Catholic Charities St. Vincent Center.

Each year, Catholic Charities hosts several free community-based health fairs for those who do not have medical insurance and have unmet medical needs. Kate Mulvaney shares stories from previous year’s Health Fairs and information on those coming up in 2018.

Violence can impact us at every level – as an individual, as part of a family, and as a community member. Children and youth especially have a difficult time dealing with the trauma of violence in their lives. There is a strong correlation between trauma experiences and social-economic functions. Monsignor Boland and Frederica Malone discuss the effects of violence on children and services offered by Catholic Charities that aim to help.

To honor seniors in our communities, Catholic Charities hosts a Senior Unity Mass each year followed by a hot luncheon. This year, the Mass will be held at the beautiful chapel at St. Casimir on the city’s south side on Thursday, June 14. More than 300 seniors attended the Mass last year and we hope to greet even more this year. Robert Boyd joins Monsignor Boland for a conversation on the needs seniors face in our communities.

Veterans Services was one of Catholic Charities first offered services when we were founded in 1917. Catholic Charities Veterans Employment Program was created with the goal of helping veterans find and secure employment. The veterans who join the program are motivated individuals either looking to pick up where they left off in their previous careers, or to find new opportunities in which they can apply their wide variety of skills. Magalie Oscar and Anthony Kochevar talk with Monsignor Boland about their experiences and work with veterans seeking employment.

When school lets out in summer, it’s important for youth to remain engaged and active in their communities. Catholic Charities has partnered with the City’s “One Summer Chicago” Summer Youth Employment Programs to help young adults, aged 16 to 24, learn workplace skills, earn money, and broaden their network and perspective of the world. Gina Cleggs and Angel Gutierrez join Monsignor Boland to talk about the opportunities available and the impact to the city at large.

More than 10 years ago, Catholic Charities began its Legal Assistance program to provide compassionate and competent legal assistance to low-income individuals of Chicago. Hilda Bahena, Director of Catholic Charities Legal Assistance Department, shares more about the program and the impact it has on local communities with Monsignor Boland.

For the past 10 years, Catholic Charities has worked with Loyola University Chicago and Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico to help migrant communities. More than 100,000 lives have been impacted by these interns through the Catholic Charities programs by serving 60,000+ hours in the past decade. Joining Monsignor Boland is Cary Rositas-Sheftel, Latino and University Initiatives Manager at Catholic Charities, and Kathy Donahue, Catholic Charities Senior Vice President.

Volunteers have formed the bedrock of Catholic Charities, and volunteers are the roots of our future. As Catholic Charities winds down its year-long 100th anniversary celebration in April, we’ll be hosting one final celebratory event, the Catholic Charities Centennial Week of Service. Volunteer Engagement team members Marie Jochum and Melissa Dicesare share the upcoming opportunities and volunteer stories from over the years with Monsignor Boland.

For the past two years, Catholic Charities has been nationally recognized for its Hospital Transition program, which has reduced the readmission rates for patients at local hospitals from 19% to 8%. Catholic Charities coaches work one-on-one with patients to make sure they make their appointments, take their medication, and have the proper nutrition and care at home after a surgery or illness. To share more about the program, Director Jeremiah Royster joins Monsignor Boland for a conversation.

Catholic Charities Violence Prevention programs have recently expanded in Chicago’s west side community of Austin, an area that is plagued by gangs, drugs, crime, and violence. Gina Cleggs and Christie Richardson join Monsignor Boland for a conversation on the many causes of violence and how Catholic Charities is working to create safer communities.

Catholic Charities has youth mentoring programs in both Lake County and Chicago’s Back of the Yards community. Through these programs, adults work to provide youth with positive role experiences and serve as a friend in times of need. To share more about the program, Sarah Loffman and Viri Godinez talk with Monsignor Boland about its impact and experiences with youth.

Many people make New Year’s Resolutions to be more involved in their community and the Church. At Catholic Charities, we rely on volunteers to help us help the nearly 1 million people who turn to us. Junior Board Manager Noreen Russo and Assistant Director of Volunteer Relations Marie Jochum share the many ways to get involved.

While many of us go home to a warm house, many are either living in the cold or struggling to pay heating bills to stay warm this winter. Fitzgerald Craan and Ian Stephens join Monsignor Boland for a discussion on how Catholic Charities is often on the front line helping to ensure people have a warm place to sleep at night.

Catholic Charities is extraordinarily blessed to carry out the Gospel mission to love and serve the poor in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Monsignor Boland shares a recap of our 100th anniversary year and a look ahead at 2018.

After Hurricane Maria devastated thousands in Puerto Rico in September, the City of Chicago called on social service agencies, including Catholic Charities, to begin making preparations to welcome those seeking refuge and coming to Chicago. Angel Gutierrez, Vice President of Community Development and Outreach Services, joins Monsignor Boland to share more.

Catholic Charities has cared for seniors since our founding 100 years ago through a variety of services. Because of our work, each year 113,000 seniors in Cook and Lake counties receive support to maintain a high-quality life and live as independently as possible. Angela Reese, one of Catholic Charities Adult Day Service Site Directors, talks with Monsignor Boland to share more with us about the great services provided.

Catholic Charities Self-Sufficiency Program aids struggling families and individuals through comprehensive case management, housing, and employment services so that they can achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty. Carla Gutierrez, Catholic Charities Program Supervisor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, joins Monsignor Boland to share more about the program.

The Holiday season brings a time of joy for many families. But it can also be a time of stress, especially for those who struggle to make ends meet. For 70 years, Catholic Charities has helped children and families through our annual “Celebration of Giving” gift-giving program. Marie Jochum, Director of Volunteer Engagement and Melissa Dicesare, Volunteer Relations Manager join Monsignor to share more.

Through our programs, Catholic Charities meets the needs of more than 160,000 Latinos. To talk about our Latino Affairs, Cary Rositas-Sheftel, Catholic Charities Latino and University Initiatives Manager; and Maria Vidal De Haymes, Catholic Charities Board Member since 2008 and Professor and Director of the Institute of Migration and Global Studies in Practice in Social Work with Loyola, join Monsignor for a conversation.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when we bring to light the needs of those affected by domestic and interpersonal violence. As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Catholic Charities and the House of the Good Shepherd are hoping to raise awareness and funds to assist these families. Nancy Haws joins Monsignor Boland to share more.

On October 2, Catholic Charities convened its historic 100th meeting of its board of advisors. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Monsignor Boland, and Len Wiatr, Chairman of the Board, addressed the 700-member board and audience, offering a message of hope for the future and for all those served by the agency. Mr. Wiatr joins Monsignor Boland to share highlights of the meeting.

The HIV/AIDS Pandemic has been here for more than 30 years, and is still devastating the lives of individuals, families, communities – including those right here in Chicago and in Cook and Lake counties. On Oct. 1, Catholic Charities will walk in a 5K in support of services that assist those affected by HIV/AIDS. Pat Drott joins Monsignor Boland with more details.

Open House Chicago is a free architecture-focused event that’s open to the public at sites throughout Chicago October 14-15. For the first time, Catholic Charities chapel at its 721 N LaSalle Street location will be one of the sites the public can visit. Eric Rogers of Open House Chicago and Kristine Kappel of Catholic Charities join Monsignor Boland to share more.

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign that brings greater attention to the issue of hunger and promotes ways for individuals everywhere to get involved with the movement to solve it. This year, in recognition of Hunger Action Month, Catholic Charities is partnering with the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools, Soldier Field and the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation in an effort to help eliminate hunger in our communities.

The social safety net in the Chicago area would be much weaker without the strong commitment of faith communities to serve the poor. Parishes that support Catholic Charities act as “rich soil” that bears fruit not only in one community, but across the Archdiocese. Monsignor Boland talks with Parish Committee Outreach co-chair Dennis Brown about ways parishes currently, and can continue to, support Catholic Charities.

Catholic Charities works with families experiencing homelessness to get them safely house and self-sufficient as quickly as possible. We recently partnered with an organization called Humble Design, which provides the furniture, supplies, and décor needed to make those houses homes for our families. Kathie Pointdexter, Housing Coordinator of Catholic Charities New Hope Apartments Program in Chicago, joins Monsignor Boland and shares more about the partnership.

Over the past two years, the State of Illinois has been in a state of financial crisis with no passed budget, putting funding for critical social services in jeopardy. Earlier this month, an agreement was reached and we rejoiced as a state budget was passed. But our work in advocacy is not over. Monsignor Boland talks with Catholic Charities Director of Government Relations Stephanie Johnson about what’s next.