When I started working for the Catholic Herald, we shared offices with Catholic Charities (then called Catholic Social Service) in the St. Patrick Parish rectory building in downtown Madison.
Of course, I quickly became acquainted with the work of Catholic Charities. I even helped out by holding babies when they needed some extra arms for a pending adoption. One of the foster mothers used to dress the babies in cute clothes, some of them seasonal. I still remember a baby dressed in a tiny witch costume.
Over the years, Catholic Charities has provided compassionate, caring services to help the poor and vulnerable in our communities in the 11-county Diocese of Madison area.
The Catholic Charities website (https://catholiccharitiesofmadison.org) says, “The programs we have reach those who are facing the transitions of aging, living with a disability, in need of mental health counseling, having marital or family problems, need post adoption resources, live in rural communities, seeking help with alcohol or drug abuse, or men, women and children who are homeless. Our mission of charity is accomplished with the help of nearly 400 employees and 1,000+ volunteers. We serve and employ persons regardless of sexual orientation, religious, ethnic, racial, or social background.”
Aging services
One of the services I am most familiar with is All Saints Neighborhood, an aging-in-place living option in Madison for people age 55 and older. My mother-in-law, Ruth, lived there for about 10 years, first in the apartments for active seniors, and later in the assisted living facility.
All Saints Neighborhood was a perfect place for Ruth. She was able to live on her own but have the opportunity to attend Mass and socialize with other seniors. The staff at All Saints were very caring people. It was more like an extended family.
Other aging services offered by Catholic Charities include the Adult Day Center, CompanionCare, and Respite Care Team Ministry.
Programs needed today
Catholic Charities offers so many other programs that are needed today. One of the newest is The Beacon, the homeless day resource center located in Madison. It helps homeless men, women, and children 365 days a year.
Catholic Charities also provides effective and affordable residential alcohol and drug treatment services through its program at Hope Haven. Catholic Charities also provides individual, couple, and family counseling by licensed counselors for people of all ages.
Volunteers from rural parishes unload and distribute food to people in communities throughout the diocese through the Parish Mobile Food Pantry program. Catholic Charities also enables people with developmental disabilities or a traumatic brain injury to live as independently as possible.
How you can help
These are just some of the services provided by Catholic Charities. However, they need our support to keep providing these services. Please join me in making a donation either on the Catholic Charities website or by sending a check or money order payable to Catholic Charities to 702 S. High Point Rd., Ste. 201, Madison, WI 53744-6550.