Angela was separated from her 4 children because of the mental health and substance abuse problems she suffered. She quickly went to Family Connections for help. There, she received treatment, received mental health support, and secured housing. Angela took every program seriously— she was determined to heal herself and be reunited with her children.
Today, Angela is reunited with her children after 2 and a half years of treatment. For the first time in a while, she is hopeful and optimistic about their future together.
One in 25 Americans suffer from mental health disorders, and half of them also struggle with substance abuse. The road to recovery is a constant battle against oneself. It is far from easy. But Angela fought to overcome these odds so that she could be with her children again. Her counselors at Family Connections are a key part of her story. They couldn’t be more proud of her for the dedication she showed towards her family and her health.
Yvette experienced homelessness for two years before securing a bed at St. Lucy’s Emergency Shelter in Jersey City, a facility of Chatholic Charities.
What does Yvette think about sleeping in a shelter with dozens of strangers?
“I love it. I like having a lot of other people around… it’s comforting to know that other people are around, and looking out for you.”
St. Lucy’s provides three meals a day and clothing, along with enjoyable activities. The shelter works with different social agencies to organize different activities that make life easier at times.
The shelter is just one of the many resources the organization provides for members of the community.
Programs
Catholic Charities serves an enormous number of people in the Greater Newark Area. Here’s how:
Counseling and support services for at-risk youth and their families
Psychological and psychiatric help for those with mental illness
Job training for those who are cognitively disabled
Childhood education for preschoolers
Emergency shelter for the homeless and for those who are HIV-positive
Affordable housing for low-income families
Immigration legal services;
Refugee resettlement
Adoption services
Service By The Numbers
Based on the 2019/2020 fiscal year report, CCAN impacted the community in the following ways:
62,645 individuals served
87 programs at 26 sites
15,570 days of job training to 462 individuals
626 people served in 4 justice programs
677 older adults in 12 programs
72,685 nights of shelter to 1,342 homeless individuals and families
197 veterans served
178 refugees served
Just to name a few of the organization’s accomplishments.
Catholic Charities’ Mission
These programs and resources fulfill the mission of CCAN to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of all people and respond with sincere Christian compassion to the corporeal needs of the poor and marginalized.
The service of Catholic Charities is inspired by—
Faith in Jesus Christ
Sacred Scripture
Continuing exposition of Catholic social teaching.
Through these activities, Catholic Charities strives to assist individuals in need, strengthen families, and provide those it serves with an experience of God’s mercy.
Volunteer To Help Catholic Charities
Do you speak Spanish?
Love to throw parties?
Enjoy feeding the hungry?
Use those skills and passions and volunteer for CCAN. Contact the office for the latest opportunities.
Make ONE DONATION to the Holiday Fund and support 10 life-changing organizations in New Jersey.
History
In 1903 a group of lay Roman Catholics in New Jersey founded what is now Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark (CCAN). This was the first organization to work on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Today, the organization has 88 programs, serving close to 60,000 individuals in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union Counties.
Many families still can’t afford to celebrate the holidays, but the Food Pantry Program of the Nutley Family Service Bureau is helping change that. Through their food drives, they help feed over 220 families facing food insecurity each year.
