Our Mission

Serving all those in need as Christ calls us to do.

Our Vision

We imagine a world where each person is filled with hope for the future. We seek to support and inspire our neighbors so they can transform their lives by fulfilling their own God-given potential.  

Regionally Operated

We are independently operated from Catholic Charities USA and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, ensuring we can respond to the unique needs of our neighbors.

Bridge to Self Sufficiency

Our Commitment To Bridging The Gap:

Poverty goes beyond a lack of finances. It includes not having enough of the things needed to be self-sufficient:

  • Social and Emotional Wellness

  • Reliable Transportation

  • Affordable Child Care

  • Educational and Employment Success

  • Stable Housing

  • Health Care Access

To bridge the gap and overcome the generational cycle of poverty, we must address all of these aspects by meeting basic needs, building social connection and community, and providing support and coping skills.

Over our 100-year history, Catholic Charities has remained committed to helping individuals realize and fulfill their potential. Through 20+ programs, long-term case management and a dedication to building trusted relationships with our clients, we provide the hand up they need on their climb to self-sufficiency.

bridge to self-sufficiency

Dependency

Living below poverty line, not employed, suffering abuse, homeless, no access to food, childcare or transportation, no high school diploma.

Crisis

Part-time employment, below poverty line, food stamps, rent subsidized, no transportation, graduated high school.

Vulnerable

At-risk housing, unstable employment, food stamps, rent subsidized, involved with CPS, unreliable transportation.

THE GAP

Most vulnerable time someone faces on the road to self-sufficiency. We help solve many problems so clients can breakdown barriers.

Stable

Better employment and education, food stamps, rent subsidized, private transportation and stable childcare.

Self-Sufficient

Stable employment, health care, transportation and can pay all of their bills without subsidies.

Facts.

88 cents

of every dollar on direct services at Catholic Charities

18

different languages are spoken at our offices

55,135

services were achieved by staff for almost 21,458 clients

Not only did we help a lot of people, but we also did it fiscally responsibly…

Annual Reports

Item 1 of 8

Clarion Newsletter

Item 1 of 17

Performance & Quality Improvement

Catholic Charities is committed to providing the highest quality services to children and families in the communities we serve. We have a long tradition of listening to client and community needs and providing programs that are responsive to those needs. This effort is the agency’s approach to maintaining Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI). Our approach to PQI requires involvement and participation at every level of the agency. We want all staff members to continually ask themselves, “What can we do better?”

We have integrated our strategic planning with program development and evaluation to create our approach to PQI. This approach begins with a clear statement of the vision, mission, and values of the organization. It moves forward in a continuous cycle of activities that looks for and responds to, opportunities for ongoing improvement. In addition to upholding our core organizational values, the approach is guided by a set of values about quality improvement. These include involvement of all staff in the PQI process; improvement of program quality through solution-focused problem solving; a systematic approach to improvement with clear definitions of tasks and timeframes; and data-based decision making based on information received from stakeholders, clients, and staff in order to make changes that result in more efficient, effective, ethical, and user-friendly services that are consistent with the mission of our agency.

Did you know?

Catholic Charities meets the standards set by several other nonprofit and governmental agencies, including:

  • The Better Business Bureau

  • The United Way

  • The U.S. Department of Justice Board of Immigrant Appeals

HMIS Privacy Notice

stability, counseling, pro-life, immigration, refugee services

 

Catholic Social Teaching

  • The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. Cloning, embryonic-stem-cell research, and the use of the death penalty are also undermining the value of human life.

    Catholic teaching calls on us to diligently to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

  • The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy, directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined.

    We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

  • The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

  • A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

  • The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected–the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

  • We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world.

    At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.

  • We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others as if they were Christ in disguise. They "are charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs" (USCCB). They respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life.

  • There are many people in this world who go without food. When so much of our food goes to waste, consider how good stewardship practices of your own food habits can benefit others who do not have those same resources.

    Catholic teaching calls on us to diligently to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

  • Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity. We should support the efforts of those working towards greater accessibility of this essential resource.

    We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

  • There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home. Christ encourages us to go out and meet those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek a resolution to the challenges they face.

  • Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided. In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.

  • People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.

  • Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times. Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, which is always a gift from God, and comfort to those who mourn.

  • Donate money to organizations that have the ability to provide support and services for those in need. Do research and find organizations that put people in need first, rather than profit.

 

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

  • Everyone has moments of doubt in their faith journey. Nevertheless, we should always remember that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and turn to him along our way.

  • Learn about our faith and be open to talking with others about our beliefs. There is always something more to discover about our faith.

  • Do not judge, but be supportive in helping others find their way and correct their mistakes. Together we can learn to walk more closely with Christ.

  • Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief. Even if we aren't sure of the right words to say, our presence can make a big difference.

  • Forgiving others is difficult at times because we do not have God's limitless mercy and compassion. But Jesus teaches us that we should forgive as God forgives, relying on him to help us show others the mercy of God.

  • Do not be bitter about wrongs done against you. Place your hope in God so that you can endure the troubles of this world and face them with a compassionate spirit.

  • Prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can support others. Joining together in prayer for the living and the dead entrusts us all into God's care.