Contact: Jean Christofferson
Catholic Charities Community Services
Cell: 602-650-4847
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CATHOLIC CHARITIES COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVERSE PROGRAMS IMPACTED THOUSANDS OF VULNERABLE ARIZONANS IN 2018
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 8, 2019): Catholic Charities Community Services (www.catholiccharitiesaz.org) programs made a difference in more than 1,000 lives of foster children and families, veterans, those experiencing homelessness and many more throughout central and northern Arizona in 2018.
During the year, Catholic Charities, which was assisted in its efforts by 6,591 volunteers who donated 52,619 hours of service, opened a larger, renovated MANA (Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force) House to serve 76 homeless veterans, and its fourth affordable housing community in central Phoenix.
In Northern Arizona, a total of 406 households received housing assistance during the year including 244 in rapid rehousing, a program that connects families and individuals experiencing homelessness to permanent housing; 124 in permanent supportive housing and placing 38 in shelter and specialty projects including family and individual shelters.
Also in Northern Arizona, 130 veterans and 172 households with a veteran received services and 469 veterans were screened by the Veteran Services team. Catholic Charities’ PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Outreach program in Northern Arizona assisted 22 families, 19 children, 100 individual adults and 7 pets find emergency temporary housing during harsh weather or who were impacted by other factors preventing them from accessing shelter.
In Central Arizona, the MANA House in metro Phoenix served 230 veterans in transitional housing. Of that total, 169 veterans exited the program and 104 among that group entered permanent, stable housing.
The organization also licensed 40 new foster families in Central Arizona, completed 31 adoptions through foster care and provided more than 50,000 bed nights
for foster children in care. Also, the Joining Hearts Pregnancy Hotline received 100 calls or texts to its 24-hour pregnancy hotline and the agency’s adoption services placed five infant children with qualified, adoptive families.
“There are many, many individuals and families in need of a wide range of services in Arizona, and our dedicated team and volunteers never lose sight of the important role they play in helping change and improve lives,” said Catholic Charities President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Mulligan. “We are constantly exploring new and expanded ways to reach those in our communities who need assistance.”
For more information, please contact Catholic Charities at 602-285-1999 or visit www.CatholicCharities.org.
Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services provides care for the vulnerable of all faiths in Central and Northern Arizona through programs in foster care, early education, affordable housing, veterans’ services, refugee resettlement, and homeless outreach. Learn more by visiting www.catholiccharitiesaz.org. Social connections include www.facebook.com/CatholicCharitiesAZ and twitter.com/CCArizona.
