Press Releases
Catholic Charities Seeks Help in Restocking the Shelves of Local Food Pantries
Boston, MA (February 8, 2008) ...With heating oil and gas prices at an all time high, more and more working families are finding it difficult to provide for their basic, daily needs, including putting food on the table.
As an anti-poverty agency, Catholic Charities responds to the needs of the poor and working poor by providing or helping them access emergency food assistance as well as help with fuel, utilities, and rent. By providing this assistance, individuals and families are better able to work towards self-sufficiency. Unfortunately, resources to provide for these needs are in short supply, some are even exhausted.
"With the holidays behind us the need is urgent," said Tiziana Dearing, president of Catholic Charities. "We must restock the shelves of our food pantries to provide for those in need throughout the winter."
Without Catholic Charities’ food pantries many individuals would go without food. At age 63, Rosemary suffers from many ailments, including diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. She can’t drive and uses a cane to help her walk, which makes it difficult for her to get around in the winter. Simple things that many take for granted, like running a quick errand to the grocery store, are often a huge ordeal for Rosemary.
For more than 20 years Rosemary worked two jobs to keep her and her son afloat. But her dreams came to a halt when she fell ill and was diagnosed with diabetes. Her health continued to deteriorate over the years. Her knees gave way, which put her out of work permanently. Unable to work, she had no other choice but to go on disability, which is now her only source of income.
On such a limited income, it is often hard for her to put food on the table every evening, especially with restrictions on her diet. She called a few local food pantries and was finally referred to the food pantry at Catholic Charities El Centro del Cardenal located in Boston’s South End.
“It was really difficult for me to find a pantry that would work with me to find food that wouldn’t affect my diabetes,” said Rosemary.
Now that it is winter, Rosemary is dealing with higher utility bills. This reduces her food budget, so she is relying on El Centro even more.
“Most of my money will go to my heating bill this winter, so putting food on the table becomes secondary,” she said. “El Centro gives me peace of mind knowing that I will get food at least once a month. I’d be at a loss without them.”
With prices at their highest in history, this is a time of desperate need. A gift to Catholic Charities will help bring immediate relief – food and warmth – to cold and hungry families in need.
"Each year we assist nearly 200,000 people, regardless of faith. And we rely on the support of generous and caring friends to make this possible," Dearing said. "A gift this winter will help restock the shelves and alleviate some worry for Rosemary and countless others."
To make a donation to help restock the shelves, call 617-482-5440 or click here to make an online donation.
Catholic Charities Friends and Donors Provide Christmas for Families in Need
Agency Urges Continued Awareness Beyond Holiday Season
Boston, MA (December 20, 2007) ... Parish giving trees, toy drives run by businesses and organizations, and families helping families are just a few of the ways the community is helping Catholic Charities provide Christmas for nearly 3,000 families across Eastern Massachusetts.
Following are just a few community organizations helping Catholic Charities help those in need this Christmas:
- St. Mary’s Parish in Chelmsford
- Bentley College Catholic Connection (students and staff) and Bentley College Campus Police
- St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Wilmington
- Central Catholic High School in Lawrence
- Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Lynnfield
- State Street Global Advisors
- St. Sebastian’s School in Needham
- Blessed Mother Teresa Parish in Dorchester
Individuals and families also are important in helping families in need. Some may host toy parties, inviting friends and neighbors to bring a toy or two to donate, while others contact the agency directly and fulfill a family or child's wish list.
Providing toys and gifts for families at Christmas is one aspect of the agency's Basic Needs Emergency Services, which provides food, fuel, utility, and rental assistance, as well as holiday assistance to those in need. As an anti-poverty agency, Catholic Charities responds to the needs of the poor and working poor every day throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
"Many families already are struggling to pay rent and utility bills, even before the added costs of the Christmas season," said Tiziana Dearing, president of Catholic Charities of Boston. "People are especially aware of the poor and those in need this time of year, as they recognize their own abundance and feel the spirit of giving. We are privileged to witness the goodness of so many who share their gifts." She continued, “The holidays remind us in particular to think of the poor and marginalized, but their need exists every day."
Basic Needs Emergency Services By the Numbers
* 840 - Bags of food distributed a month in Brockton in 2006, 41 percent more than in 2005.
* 55 - Percentage of the working poor that visit our food pantry in Lowell.
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5 - The number of new clients who come into the food pantry at the Yawkey Center in Dorchester every day. Number 6 is turned away.
* 650 - People turned away from our community service center in Lynn during July, August, and September due to lack of funds.
* 74 - Percentage of families with children who receive Basic Needs Emergency Services in South Boston.
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0 - Funding remaining for fuel, rental, and mortgage assistance in many of our locations.
Ways to Help
* Purchase a gift card to a grocery or discount store.
* New toys and books for children of all ages may also be donated.
* Donate new or like new winter wear. Items are needed for all ages.
* Our food pantries are always in need of food, specifically canned goods and non-perishable items. Catholic Charities’ food pantries are located in Brockton, Dorchester, Haverhill, Lowell, Somerville, and Boston’s South End.
* Make a cash donation to Catholic Charities designated to Basic Needs Emergency Services. Call 617-482-5440 or click here to make an online donation.
For more information on how you can help, call 617-482-5440.
Catholic Charities North’s Education Center Named Finalist for Catholic Charities USA National Family Strengthening Award
Alexandria, VA (August 15, 2007) ... Catholic Charities North’s Education Center – an innovative program of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston – has been named a finalist in Catholic Charities USA’s 2007 Family Strengthening Awards program.
Supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Catholic Charities USA’s Family Strengthening Awards recognize exceptional programs in the Catholic Charities network that take a holistic approach to providing services by working to support healthy family relationships, improve the overall financial situation of client families, and enhance their communities.
Catholic Charities North’s Education Center is one of 10 finalists chosen from among nationwide nominees.
The Education Center offers a range of education and employment services, including ESOL and GED instruction, employment preparation, and computer skills training for those leaving welfare for work. By increasing self-sufficiency through skill building and sustainable employment, the Education Center empowers and strengthens families by providing them a seamless transition and access to needed education and/or employment programs in the Greater Lynn area.
“The Education Center and others like it are good for families, good for communities and good for our nation because they provide critical assistance to those in need, strengthen families, and help reduce poverty in America,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA.
Fran Troutman, director of the Education Center, said educational services that are offered by the Education Center serve to strengthen connections between families and community assets.
“Our collaboration with many area organizations, particularly those that share a common focus on family strengthening through education and employment, helps us to create an environment where families can access the help they need to successfully build strong family bonds and succeed in the work force,” Troutman said. “Rooted in our mission to serve those most in need, our programs combine case management, education, job training, and on-going support to aid the families in becoming self-sufficient. They also serve to motivate the individuals as well as help them to identify the obstacles that might inhibit their success.”
The 2007 Catholic Charities USA Family Strengthening Award winners are El Programa Hispano of Catholic Charities of Oregon, Catholic Social Services of Charlotte’s Office of Economic Opportunity, The Thorpe Family Residences of Catholic Charities of New York, and the Southside Family Center of Catholic Charities of Hartford. The awardees will be formally honored at Catholic Charities USA’s Annual Gathering in Cincinnati on Sept.16.
To learn more about the 2007 award winners and the other finalists, visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/caseyaward/.
Dearing Appointed President of Catholic Charities of Boston
Brighton, MA (July 27, 2007) ... Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston have announced the appointment of Ms. Tiziana Dearing as the President of Catholic Charities. Ms. Dearing will report to Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, who since 2004 has served as both the President of Catholic Charities and the Secretary for Social Services for the Archdiocese.
"Fr. Hehir's role as Social Services Secretary not only involves responsibility for Catholic Charities, but also for other agencies in the Archdiocese such as Life Resources, St. Ann's Home, Pro-Life Office and service on the Board of the Mass Catholic Conference. Additionally, Fr. Hehir is assisting with the 2010 Initiative for Catholic Education and consultations pertaining to the Archdiocese's health care ministry," said Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley. "These important responsibilities compete with the time needed for management of Catholic Charities. We are fortunate that Ms. Dearing, who has significant experience as a management consultant and particular familiarity with the needs of non profit organizations, will provide the day to day leadership that will allow Catholic Charities to most effectively carry out its mission.”
The Cardinal added, “Her work with Catholic Relief Services and her service to the Archdiocese in assisting the preparation of the financial transparency report in 2006 gives her a strong understanding of the work of the Archdiocese and its affiliated institutions. Tiziana is an outstanding example of lay persons bringing their skills and talents to the work of the Church for the good of all whom we serve and the wider society.”
Fr. Hehir welcomed Ms. Dearing to the work of Catholic Charities. "I have known and worked with Tiziana at Catholic Relief Services and at Harvard. I believe that she brings a unique blend of skill, dedication and experience to this agency whose work is essential to the Church and the welfare of civil society in Massachusetts. She will find, as I have at Catholic Charities, colleagues who are deeply committed to the service of the poor and vulnerable in our society. Daily they place their skill, their commitment and their lives in the service of others."
Since 2003 Ms. Dearing has served as Executive Director of the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University. Leading the center through a period of strategic change, her responsibilities have included providing strategic direction; marketing and fundraising; personnel management; relationship management with major donors, foundations and advisory board members; serving as the public face of the center; coaching students, faculty and researchers; and conducting independent research.
"We have been blessed with Fr. Hehir’s leadership as both President and Secretary of Social Services, and we are happy to know that Catholic Charities will continue to benefit from his spiritual and intellectual leadership as Secretary of Social Services,” said Jeffrey J. Kaneb, Chair of the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees. “As President, Tiziana brings the skills, background and enthusiasm that will be critical to Catholic Charities as we seek to meet the increasing needs of the children and families in the Archdiocese, as well as new areas of need in the immigrant communities. As a Board, we all look forward to working with her to continue to meet these needs."
Prior to joining the Hauser Center, Ms. Dearing served in a number of consultant roles for nonprofit organizations including faith-based organizations, specializing in strategy, organizational development, executive coaching, conflict and group problem solving, program start-up and ethics. Her work as a consultant included providing knowledge management, process development and strategic measurement consulting to Fortune 500 companies.
"I am truly excited about this opportunity," said Ms. Dearing. "Catholic Charities has a century-long tradition here in Boston of serving those in need, regardless of faith, and of helping to fulfill the Church's social mission. It is an honor to join a group of people who have dedicated their professional lives to this work. I look forward to working with the Cardinal, Fr. Hehir, the Board of Catholic Charities, and its dedicated staff."
Ms. Dearing earned a Masters in Public Policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government from Harvard University in 2000. A 1992 graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in English, she graduated with Distinction.
Born and raised in Michigan, Ms. Dearing is a resident of Bedford, Massachusetts where she resides with her husband and two children.
About Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston
For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities has continued its mission of building a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. The agency provides approximately 140 programs and services throughout Eastern Massachusetts. These services respond to the needs of the poor and working poor, provide supportive services to children and families, and assist refugees and immigrants as they become active participants in their communities. Last year, Catholic Charities served nearly 200,000 people in need of all faiths. To discover more of our work, visit www.ccab.org.
About the Archdiocese of Boston
The Archdiocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of approximately 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 295 parishes, across 144 communities, educating nearly 50,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of more than one million patients annually in its hospitals and 200,000 individuals through its social service outreach. Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.rcab.org.
Campers See In-Ground Pool as Catholic Charities Sunset Point Camp Opens for the Summer
Hull, MA. (June 17, 2007) ... Campers at Catholic Charities’ Sunset Point Camp in Hull will see the newest addition to their camp when they arrive this summer – an in-ground pool. Accompanying this surprise amenity is the pre-existing basketball court that also serves as a roller skating rink, swings, the ocean bay for paddleboats, and a beautiful grassy courtyard designed for all sorts of activities.
“For years campers have been swimming in an above ground pool, but the in-ground pool is something staff and campers have always wanted. They will be thrilled!” said Beth Chambers, director of community services for Catholic Charities Greater Boston. “By the last week of camp the lining of the above ground pool is torn, so not all campers are able to use the pool. The in-ground pool allows us to accommodate more campers and gives us the opportunity to offer more structured activities in the pool.”
Each summer Sunset Point Camp serves as a dream ‘vacation’ for more than 350 children from all over the Greater Boston area representing diverse cultures, races, and religions, the great majority from lower income households. Others come from homes where extenuating circumstances are present such as the death of a parent or sibling, sudden departure of a family member, or a recent fire. For many, this is their only summer camp experience. The programs at Sunset Point Camp are designed around building life skills, including teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, self-esteem, sportsmanship, and good health. The camp is one of only a few free, accredited camps in the country.
Fathers Find Support at Catholic Charities
Father’s Day reignites national dialogue on importance of supporting low-income dads to strengthen families and reduce long-term poverty
LYNN, MASS. (June 13, 2007) ... Many children in our communities grow up not only facing income poverty but also in the poverty of an absent father. Research clearly demonstrates that children who have positive relationships with their fathers do better in school, have higher self-esteem, are less likely to be depressed, and, for boys, are more likely to become responsible fathers themselves.
This June, as part of Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston joins other agencies across the country in reigniting a national dialogue about the importance fathers play in helping their children grow up in safe and supportive families.
Catholic Charities North, a community service center of Catholic Charities of Boston, offers strength-based educational programs for fathers, especially those with low-income. The agency’s Fathers Support Services help fathers improve relationships with their children and become a positive influence in their lives. Fathers Support Services are designed for men who have become or are about to become fathers. Participants are encouraged to participate regardless of their educational or economic situation. Programs include fathers support groups in Lynn and Peabody as well as one-on-one community outreach to fathers.
“There’s no question that children are better off when both parents are involved in their lives, but this is too often not the case, as nearly 14 million children under age 15 live with a single mother. Sadly, millions of these children have fallen into poverty as a result,” said Richard Muzzy, director of Family Support Services for Catholic Charities North. “Children with just one involved parent tend to get into trouble and in turn head down a path that could lead them to a life of poverty. By helping fathers engage in the lives of their children, our programs strive to reduce many of the challenges that children may face as a result of having an uninvolved father.”
Fathers support groups meet weekly in 8- or 12-week cycles. In an atmosphere of positive encouragement, fathers focus on five specific principles of responsibility, which include giving affection, offering gentle guidance, providing financial support to the child as well as his or her mother, demonstrating respect to the child’s mother, and setting a proud example by not participating in illegal activity such as drug or alcohol abuse.
Outreach is a critical component of Fathers Support Services. By going ‘where they are,’ staff members are able to establish a mentoring relationship with the men. Fathers are encouraged and connected to employment, education, and other necessary resources. Staff members also are available in crisis situations and provide a father’s perspective regarding issues of child development, behavior management, and relationship concerns.
Just One Piece of the Puzzle in Strengthening Families and Reducing Poverty
Fatherhood programs like Fathers Support Services of Catholic Charities North are just one piece of the puzzle in supporting low-income dads and cutting U.S. poverty. Improving federal policies that help low-income fathers become more active and engaged in the lives of their children is also needed.
“Our nation’s public policies and programs have often left fathers out of the resources that have been made available to children. This undermines the central role that both parents play in the stability and well-being of the family, community and society. It is important for policymakers to embrace the family as a complete unit and develop policies that support, strengthen, and encourage men and women to remain connected to their children and families,” said Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities of Boston.
Catholic Charities Statement Regarding Decisions of United Way
Statement by Reverend J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston
BOSTON (May 25, 2007) ... Catholic Charities of Boston has received inquiries about the decision of United Way of Massachusetts Bay – Merrimack Valley to restructure its grant making allocations. We find the decisions of the Mass. Bay Board challenging in their impact but understandable in their rationale. We look forward to continuing the fruitful collaboration we have had with United Way, recognizing that the style of collaboration will inevitably change. We understand the challenge and we can adapt to change.
The decisions made this week about allocations are a result of a longer-term process at both national and local levels of the United Way which we have known were underway. While the specific allocation was made known to us only yesterday, we were aware of the broader process of decision making being put in place at United Way.
The change for Catholic Charities can be succinctly stated: Our 2007 allocation was $1.14 million; our 2008 allocation will be $873,000. For us the immediate challenge will be to pursue the $300,000 through other venues, and we will be addressing this challenge immediately. The urgency of doing so must be understood not through comparison of statistics but in terms of the human impact of $300,000 less in our budget. That impact can erode our effort to create “safe-space” for children and teenagers in Boston this summer. It can also constrain our ability in helping five regional offices to have emergency assistance of food, rent, and other resources for the 125,000 people we serve in our Basic Needs programs.
The urgency to meet these needs and others like them confronts us as an agency. We cannot and should not spend time pondering what will not be available to us; we must spend time finding $300,000 in other places. We are confident that can be done.
We are also confident that the broad strategic direction guiding Catholic Charities corresponds to the planning embodied in United Way’s new direction. Our primary focus is on children and families, immigrants and refugees and all those below, just at, and just above the poverty line in this society. These goals overlap with the United Way priorities for the future.
In addition to restructuring their allocation process, United Way has opened a program of New Initiatives. We believe we can be a productive partner with United Way in this arena and we will undertake planning immediately to pursue these initiatives.
Social service and social welfare policy is a dynamic arena in American society. Those of us in the field must balance a sense of continuity of what we know has worked, with a creative desire to find new ways to respond to burgeoning human needs in our community. For us at CCAB, the United Way announcement calls us to continue what we do well and to do new things in cooperation with them for the good of the communities we serve in Eastern Massachusetts.
Father Monan Receives First 'Justice and Compassion Award' at Catholic Charities Annual Spring Celebration
Event raises approximately $1.3 million, the most ever at this annual event
BOSTON (May 14, 2007) ... More than 350 people joined Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley; Father J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities; emcee Jack Connors; and honoree Father J. Donald Monan, S.J., chancellor of Boston College, on May 10 at Catholic Charities Spring Celebration at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. The event raised approximately $1.3 million for the programs and services of Catholic Charities, the most ever raised at this annual event.
Father Monan was presented with the first “Justice and Compassion Award” for his multiple contributions to civic life in the Boston community.
“Father Monan’s life as a priest and a Jesuit, and his multiple educational, civic, and social contributions to the city and the commonwealth, make us proud to bestow this honor upon him,” Father Hehir said.
Father Hehir described Father Monan’s various roles in civic affairs as an excellent model of what Catholic teaching calls the common good and what Jesuit education means by its goal to inspire men and women to be people for others.
After serving 24 years as president of Boston College, Father Monan assumed the newly created post of chancellor in August 1996. Prior to joining Boston College in 1972, he held positions as acting president, vice president, academic dean, chairman of the philosophy department, professor, and instructor at Le Moyne College in New York, and instructor of philosophy at St. Peter’s College in New Jersey. He holds A.B., Ph.L., and S.T.L. degrees from Woodstock College, a Ph.D. degree from the University of Louvain in Belgium, and has received honorary doctoral degrees from 12 institutions including Boston College, Harvard University, National University of Ireland, and the University of Massachusetts.
“For the past hundred years, Catholic Charities has been almost synonymous with the dispensation of justice and compassion to those in need,” Father Monan said. “I consider it a genuine honor to me and to Boston College to be the recipient of this award.”
Catholic Charities Expands Summer Hours at Teen Center in Dorchester
Cardinal O'Malley and Mayor Menino support agency's decision to keep the center open on weekends and lengthen weekday hours to continue providing a safe place for inner-city youth
BOSTON (April 19, 2007) ... Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, president of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston, today announced expanded summer hours at the agency’s Teen Center at St. Peter’s School in Dorchester in response to recent violence in the city. The Teen Center, which serves teens ages 13 to 19 from the Bowdoin/Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester, will be open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., 7 days a week from July 1-Sept. 1.
At Catholic Charities’ Teen Center, youth have access to a variety of supportive services and are provided with a safe place for recreation. There are approximately 200 members of the Teen Center, with as many as 80 participating in educational or recreational activities daily. In announcing the expansion of this program during the summer months, Hehir said, “This is one dimension of a broader effort by the archdiocese to contribute to safety and peace this summer.”
“We share the concerns of the many good and decent people who live and work in the neighborhoods that are being disrupted by acts of violence on the part of a small number of people,” said Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston. “We are especially concerned for the youth. The services offered through the Teen Center are critical in this community. Catholic Charities is committed to providing young people with a safe place to gather after school and during the summer. It is important to provide a positive, constructive alternative to the streets, out of harm’s way.”
“I appreciate the archdiocese stepping forward to be a part of the solution to the problems in Dorchester,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said. “It is a good step for Catholic Charities to extend its hours at the Teen Center at St. Peter’s to be sure that the young people in this neighborhood can participate in positive activities to keep them out of trouble this summer.”
Catholic Charities’ Teen Center at St. Peter’s is part of a unique collaboration with St. Peter’s School and the Bowdoin Street After-School Program. The three programs, all housed in St. Peter’s School, have worked together to serve the families of the Bowdoin Street neighborhood for five years. More than 400 children ages 5-19 receive educational, recreational, social, and spiritual services daily at St. Peter’s. Last fall these three programs initiated a monthly neighborhood safety meeting, bringing together community residents, senior citizens, families, youth, and the Boston Police Department.
During the school year, the Catholic Charities Teen Center at St. Peter’s is open from 2-9 p.m. Teens spend time working on homework, playing educational games, researching on the Internet, preparing for the MCAS, and engaging in recreational activities such as sports and cultural activities. Focus groups meet weekly to address adolescent development issues and the multiple challenges that confront youth today, including drugs and alcohol, gang participation, and family conflict. Some teens serve as counselors in training, paid positions with job responsibilities in the Bowdoin Street After-School Program.
The Teen Center also is open on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. for dance classes. Members often take weekend trips to go hiking, canoeing, camping, or skiing. During spring vacation this week, 40 teens from the center are visiting Washington, D.C.
During the summer months, the Teen Center at St. Peter’s offers much of the same programming with an increased emphasis on academics during the day, especially for those new to the United States. Many take English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes while others take English, math, and computer classes for school credit. Young people also receive help with the college admissions process. Recreational activities are held in the afternoons, and additional educational and cultural field trips are offered.
How the Community Can Help
The Teen Center at St. Peter’s is actively looking for summer employment opportunities for its members and other youth in the community. If you or your company would be interested in employing teens, contact Paulo De Barros at 617-506-6600 or paulo_debarros@ccab.org.
The expanded hours of operation for the Teen Center at St. Peter’s will come at a cost for Catholic Charities. These expenses are unbudgeted and include more books, computers, and food for increased membership; transportation; and employees’ salaries. If you would like to help, call 617-482-5440 or make a donation online at www.ccab.org.
Other Summer Opportunities for Youth with Catholic Charities
In addition to the Teen Center at St. Peter’s, Catholic Charities operates Sunset Point Camp in Hull. Each summer the camp serves as a dream ‘vacation’ for 300 children from all over the Greater Boston area representing diverse cultures, races, and religions, the great majority from lower income households. Others come from homes where extenuating circumstances are present such as the death of a parent or sibling, sudden departure of a family member, or a recent fire. The programs at Sunset Point Camp are designed around building life skills, including teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, self-esteem, sportsmanship, and good health.
Catholic Charities Launches Marketing Campaign to Create Greater Awareness for Programs and Services
BOSTON (March 1, 2007) ... Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Boston today announced the launch of a marketing campaign aimed at creating greater awareness of the depth and breadth of programs and services provided by the agency. As one of the largest providers of social services in Massachusetts, Catholic Charities offers approximately 140 programs and services in 40 locations ranging from Basic Needs Emergency Services to child care and parenting programs to services for refugees and immigrants.
“Many people, including some of our most loyal donors, only know about a few of our services. We want them to know about the broad range of services Catholic Charities provides to nearly 200,000 people in need throughout Eastern Massachusetts each year,” said Kevin E. Broughton, executive director of Catholic Charities. “This campaign was developed to further educate those who know about the work of Catholic Charities as well as those who don’t.”
The campaign, which will feature the tag line “Discover the Work of Catholic Charities,” will use print advertising. Created by Hill Holliday, the print component of the campaign will launch in The Boston Globe on March 8. Each ad will highlight one of three primary areas of service: help for the poor and working poor, support for children and families, and assistance to refugees and immigrants. The ads feature a working mom looking in her cupboard full of food, children playing on a swing set at a child care program, and a counseling session: each of which are encrypted in a subtle stained glass window. The ad copy encourages people to “Discover the Work of Catholic Charities” and offers a brief description of the particular service featured as well as general information about the agency’s work. The work by Hill Holliday was done pro bono.
In addition to the advertising component, a broader direct mail campaign, produced by Newport Creative Communications in Duxbury, will be mailed in early March. The marketing campaign also includes changes to the website and a number of grassroots efforts geared toward educating the public on the work and impact of Catholic Charities.
“This is an exciting time for Catholic Charities. It’s the first agency-wide marketing campaign we have ever kicked off,” stated Jeff Kaneb, chairman of the Catholic Charities Board of Trustees. “We think it’s important to let people know exactly how Catholic Charities is making a positive impact on the lives of so many in our communities.”