CAT-07201 Annual Report_029.indd - Catholic Charities of the ...

when they turn 21 and in
some cases only 18 with
few skills and no one to
fall back on, far too many
wind up in shelters or
even jails.
We must ensure that
crises that wounded
childhoods do not
claim their futures.
For more then a century,
Catholic Charities agencies
helped thousands of other
young people avoid this
fate. I am proud that a
number of our premier
Catholic Charities agencies
—Good Shepherd Services,
New York Foundling
Hospital, Cardinal
McCloskey Services and
Covenant House New
York—are joining together
to fight this tragedy. I pray
that as a society we can
turn this ignominy into a
distant memory.
Welcoming and
Integrating Immigrants
and Refugees
Catholic Charities has long
stood by immigrants, supporting
just and humane
immigration policies. Our
nation should secure its
borders and find ways for
those currently here to
earn legal status. Yet, sadly,
we did not make progress
required for comprehensive
immigration reform. Millions
of our neighbors are left to
live in the shadows.
As our nation sorts out
its immigration laws,
Catholic Charities continues
welcoming and integrating
immigrants. Last year,
we answered promptly
and accurately 30,000
phone calls in 18 different
languages from immigrants
from 90 different nations.
We resettled refugees
fleeing abuse and reunited
individuals with their
families. At the Manhattan
District Attorney’s request,
we are helping immigrants
preyed on by criminals to
come forward, while protecting
their confidentiality.
Feeding the Hungry
and Sheltering the
Homeless
Thanksgiving is a favorite
holiday, bringing together
families to give thanks
and enjoy a hearty meal.
I began last Thanksgiving
with Mass at Corpus
Christi Church praising
God for his many blessings,
especially the staff, volunteers
and benefactors of
Catholic Charities. Then I
took a ride to the Bronx
to share a Thanksgiving
feast with more than
400 people in need,
graciously hosted by
our affiliate, Part of the
Solution (POTS). For years,
Westchester families from
Resurrection Parish in Rye,
NY have volunteered as
waiters and busboys,
serving up delicious
dinners with compassion
and dignity.
Supporting the
Physically and
Emotionally
Challenged
I then dropped by our
Beacon of Hope Boulevard
Clubhouse in the South
Bronx. This sanctuary
offers support and
encouragement, meals
and case management
for those suffering from
chronic mental illness.
Holidays place a great
strain on those with
emotional challenges.
We open the Clubhouse
so members do not spend
their holidays alone.
As I left, I said an extra
prayer for those still there
enjoying one another’s
company, thanking God
for those I had met and for
my family I would next see.
Again this year, Catholic
Charities protected and
nurtured children and
youth, fed the hungry and
sheltered the homeless,
strengthened families and
resolved crises, supported
the physically and emotionally
challenged, and
welcomed and integrated
immigrants and refugees.
It is a duty and privilege
to provide help and create
hope for New Yorkers in
need. At Catholic Charities
we proudly accept this
mission with compassion
and dignity.
annual report 2007
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