Chicago Catholic Charities Programs to be in National Spotlight

Catholic Charities USA
Wednesday, 31 July 2002

Catholic Charities officials from across the nation to tour local program facilities during annual conference

As part of their annual conference from August 1-3 in Chicago, Catholic Charities officials from across the country will be touring several innovative facilities operated by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, including one-stop-shop emergency services facilities and an award-winning affordable housing complex.

On Friday, Aug. 2, attendees of Catholic Charities USA Annual Conference and Sections Meetings will be visiting Bernardin Manor, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago's model affordable senior housing complex of 180 apartments in south suburban Calumet City; or three Emergency Services sites on Chicago's South Side at 79th and Racine that have helped to change the atmosphere of this neighborhood: the Catholic Charities/ St. Sabina Parish Emergency Services Center; the Women, Infants and Children Food Center; and the St. Sabina Elders Village, a Catholic Charities senior residence housing low-income seniors in 80 apartments.

"These programs are shining examples of how Catholic Charities of Chicago is providing help and creating hope for thousands in the community," said Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities USA.

"We're delighted and proud to welcome our colleagues from Catholic Charities across the country and from the Catholic Health Association," said Rev. Michael M. Boland, administrator of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the nation's largest not-for-profit social service organizations. "We've arranged day tours to show our guests around the neighborhoods and communities of Chicago where we make such a difference not only in the lives of the people we help, but also in their communities."

"In the last year at Catholic Charities, we have seen requests for emergency assistance more than double in Cook County and quadruple in Lake County," Fr. Boland continued. "The need for food for low-income and at-risk children and mothers, affordable housing for seniors, and clothing and shelter for the poor and homeless is greater now than ever before in our 85-year history in the Archdiocese of Chicago."

Last year, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago served 600,000 different persons of all ages, religions, and nationalities.

Media are invited to join the tours on Friday, Aug. 2.

For more information, or to contact Catholic Charities USA, see their website at: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org