The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Secretariat for Catholic Human Services recently released the 2013 Annual Report for its three divisions. Together they showcase the positive impact on a quarter of a million men, women and children throughout Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
“One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to ‘go out on the road’ to visit our Catholic Social Services sites and programs throughout the region,” said Joseph J. Sweeney, Jr., Secretary for Catholic Human Services. “What I find in my site visits are dedicated staff and volunteers following in the footsteps of Jesus, offering round the clock care for thousands of the most vulnerable men, women and children in our region. For over 200 years we have been instruments of God’s mercy in the world, serving people of all faiths with compassion and dignity. We do so much good for so many people, enabling those we serve to not just survive, but also to thrive and prosper.”
While not all-inclusive, a snapshot of the works performed by Catholic Human Services is provided is outlined below.
Catholic Social Services (CSS)
CSS programs and services provide a social safety net for men, woman and children across the Archdiocese. Clients of CSS are from all socioeconomic and religious backgrounds who seek help for a variety of personal and social issues.
– In 2013, 163,316 persons benefitted from the programs of CSS, including the homeless and hungry, developmentally disabled, at-risk children and youth, and vulnerable elderly.
– Nightly, over 1,000 beds provided persons with disabilities, the homeless and at-risk youth with a safe and stable place to stay.
– Daily, 350 at-risk youth attended academic day programs. 600 individuals with intellectual disabilities attended day programs. 500 senior citizens visited senior centers, which include meals and social activities.
Nutritional Development Services (NDS)
NDS provides food assistance primarily to children and others in the community through various governmental and nongovernmental programs.
– In 2013, 9,662,156 meals were provided to thousands of needy through lunches, afterschool programs, childcare centers, and community food cupboards.
– More than 6,500 donors raised more than $450,000 for the Community Food Program through the efforts of the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.
– During the school year 3.3 million meals were served, with an average of 29,838 breakfasts and lunches served each day at 111 school buildings. As an extension of the school year, NDS worked with 440 sites and provided over 820,749 meals in the summer.
Office for Community Development (OCD)
OCD primarily partners with community, government, parishes and other faith-based organizations to build more stable communities in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
– In 2013, OCD positively improved the lives of over 10,000 individuals through neighborhood revitalization and affordable senior housing projects in Philadelphia.
– The St. Francis Villa development project was selected by the state to receive a $10 million tax credit to create 40-units of affordable senior housing in the East Kensington area of Philadelphia.
Catholic Human Services relies on the continued support of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the essential collaboration of its government and community partners, the generous support of its benefactors and the highly skilled employees and dedicated volunteers that make it possible to reach and serve the most vulnerable members our the community.
Editor’s Note: For more information on Catholic Social Services visit http://cssphiladelphia.org/.
For more information on Nutritional Development Services visit http://nutritionaldevelopmentservices.org/.
For more information on the Office for Community Development visit http://www.officeforcommunitydevelopment.org/.
Contact
Annie Korp
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747