Stories of Love
Every day, Catholic Charities' frontline staff have the opportunity to see their Acts of Service in action, and every day they are rewarded with Stories of Love. Here are some of those Stories.
From Carla, Case Manager at our Butler County Outreach:
A single mom, Jane, had fled domestic violence with her two teenage sons, one of them autistic. Jane had been staying at a hotel, and was struggling to find a landlord because of her lack of local housing history and her limited income. I had the privilege of helping her search for accommodation and, best of all, of handing her the key to her new home.
From Gary, Director at Greene and Washington County Outreaches:
Sue's adult daughter and baby grandchild had moved in with her after they left an abusive husband. However, their possessions were still at their old home, and Sue was distressed about the turmoil around her. I provided supportive counseling for Sue on the telephone and scheduled three urgent appointments for her daughter: for pregnancy and parenting support, basic needs assistance (to replace the belongings abandoned at her husband's home), and counseling. Sue and her daughter were relieved that so many of their needs could be met under one roof.
From Gina, Eligibility Specialist at Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center:
Sarah called us from Altoona, PA on behalf of her mother, who was struggling with the limited dental and medical services available in the area. Although Sarah didn't know it, I realized during our conversation that her mother was probably eligible for Medical Assistance. I was blessed to be able to refer her to one of our partner agencies, help Sarah fill out their application materials, and schedule an appointment for her mother. Sarah's mother had been in intense pain, and she was relieved that we could help her.
From Marlene, Assistant Administrator at St. Joseph House of Hospitality:
An employee at a local attorneys' office called me about a homeless man who frequents the area. She had tried to locate resources for him, but without success, and she was losing hope. I was able to assist by sharing information about additional resources and Catholic Charities' services, and by guiding her through the appropriate questions to ask the man she was concerned about. She told me that our interaction was the first to make her feel optimistic about his future.