October 23, 2015

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Appeal donations make large-scope charitable services possible in central and southern Indiana

A woman shares in a video how Lifeline for Families, a service of Catholic Charities in Tell City, came to her aid. Lifeline for Families is one of the many charitable services throughout central and southern Indiana that benefits from contributions to United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope. (Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Indianapolis)

A woman shares in a video how Lifeline for Families, a service of Catholic Charities in Tell City, came to her aid. Lifeline for Families is one of the many charitable services throughout central and southern Indiana that benefits from contributions to United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope. (Photo courtesy of Archdiocese of Indianapolis)

By Natalie Hoefer

Christ’s statement on charity leaves no doubt of the call to care for others: “Whatever you did to the least of these … you did for me” (Mt 25:40).

But some needs are too great for a single parish—or even several parishes—to tackle, such as counseling, adoption services, homeless shelters and more.

That’s where the United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope (UCA) annual campaign steps in.

Through donations to the UCA, each member of the archdiocese can help those in central and southern Indiana in need of charitable services beyond the reach and capability of a parish community.

Below is a look at large-scope charitable services throughout the archdiocese made possible in part by contributions to the UCA.

For more information on each of these organizations and services, log on to www.archindy.org and select the “Charities” tab at the top.

Catholic Charities Bloomington

  • Individual, couple and family counseling for all ages, offered on a sliding-fee scale if needed.
  • Professional community training on various mental health issues, such as working with difficult families, stress management, staff supervision and different therapeutic approaches.
  • Consultation for teachers and parents of students at St. Vincent de Paul School in Bedford who are experiencing behavioral, social or learning barriers.
  • Shelter and support for homeless women and children through Becky’s Place.
  • Services at Riley Physician clinics for initial mental health assessment, referral for treatment, short-term therapy, resources and parenting tips.
  • Onsite therapy for parents and children at Fairview Elementary School in Bloomington.

Catholic Charities Indianapolis

  • Individual, family and couple counseling offered on a sliding-fee scale.
  • Professional counseling services for school children, and consultation services for parents and teachers at Indianapolis Catholic schools.
  • Assistance through the Crisis Office to low-income persons in need of food, clothing, rent and utility funds.
  • Christmas gifts and clothing offered through the Christmas Store to more than 700 needy families.
  • Resettlement, legal services, and employment and acculturation assistance through Refuge and Immigration Services.
  • Therapeutic recreation and socialization for adults with physical and cognitive impairments through A Caring Place Adult Day Services.
  • Support groups for family and friends caring for adults aged 60 and older.
  • One-on-one care and socialization opportunities for homebound adults by connecting them with persons 55 and older through the Senior Companion Program.
  • Volunteer opportunity matching for adults 55 and older through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
  • Emergency shelter for homeless families in Indianapolis through Holy Family Shelter.
  • Extended services for families facing chronic homelessness through Holy Family Transitional Housing.

Catholic Charities Tell City

  • Food and clothing for the needy on the second and fourth Saturday of every month through Martin’s Cloak food pantry.
  • Weekly hot meal provided through Table of Blessings.
  • Food distribution to pantries participating in the Perry County Food Coalition.
  • Financial assistance for those in economic crisis needing help paying for bills, housing, medicine and gasoline for out-of-town medical needs.
  • Baby items, formula and diapers made available to low-income families through Lifeline for Families and Early Years Store.
  • Winter coat giveaway annually from October through February.

Catholic Charities Terre Haute

  • Housing, lunch, clothes and household items for those in need through the Bethany House Homeless Shelter, Bethany House Free Soup Kitchen, Bethany House Free Clothes Closet and Bethany House Household Exchange.
  • Activities, programs, learning assistance, food and more for at-risk youths at the Ryves Youth Center.
  • Food gathering and distribution to charitable agencies in Clay, Greene, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties through the Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank.
  • Christmas gifts such as clothing, household items or personal hygiene products made available for needy families through the Christmas Store.

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities New Albany

  • Birth parent services, including information about adoption resources; suggestions for parenting; emotional support and advocacy; adoption planning; financial assistance; legal representation for the adoption process; and choice of adoptive parents.
  • Adoptive parent services, including domestic adoptions; home studies and post placement services for domestic and international adoptions; preparation and training; support groups and advocacy; assistance with creating profiles for birth parent consideration; and birth parent outreach and matching.
  • Three types of affordable housing for women, including a maternity home for pregnant women; a transition home providing mothers a safe place to live while raising their child, receiving counseling, case management and the opportunity to further their education or decide upon a vocation; and an affordable supporting housing program for families facing homelessness that offers rent on a sliding-fee scale, as well as access to case managers, mental health therapists and all other St. Elizabeth resources.
  • Spokespersons in court for children in abuse and neglect cases in Floyd and Washington counties through Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
  • Baby food, diapers and formula (with form of identification and proof of a child)—plus monthly availability of baby and maternity clothing, blankets, car seats and baby beds—through Marie’s Ministry/Community Distribution Program.
  • Counseling to members of southern Indiana and Louisville.
  • Adult supervision over court-ordered parent/child visits through the Supervised Visitation Program.
  • Help for adults with developmental delays to live independently through the Supported Living Program.

St. Elizabeth/Coleman Pregnancy and Adoption Services in Indianapolis

  • Birth parent and adoptive parent services, including preparation and support for domestic, transracial, medical needs and international adoptions.

Mother Theodore Catholic Academies in Indianapolis

  • Five Indianapolis center-city elementary schools operated by a central office and shared financial resources and personnel, dedicated to providing the highest quality education and a strong spiritual base for students of all faiths.

(More information on each of these programs can be found by logging on to www.archindy.org then clicking on the Charities tab.) †

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