CONNECTED BY HOPE 2015 ANNUAL REPORT OUR MISSION Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent, and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families, and communities based on the value and dignity of human life. “Poverty calls us to sow hope… Poverty is the flesh of the poor Jesus, in that child who is hungry, in the one who is sick, in those unjust social structures.” pope francis CONNECTED BY HOPE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ARCHBISHOP QUIGLEY CENTER 835 NORTH RUSH STREET * CHICAGO, IL 60611-2030 * PHONE: 312-534-8230 * FAX: 312-534-6379 * [email protected] * OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP September 11, 2015 October 8, 2015 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, With this letter I am pleased to present to you Catholic Charities of the th As you gather for the 14 Annual Gala of theArchdiocese Arts of ofCatholic Chicago’s Charities Fiscal Year of 2015 the AnnualArchdiocese Report. Duringof my past year in Chicago, I would like to thank you for your supportthe of Archdiocese this event, of which Chicago, helps I have to come fund to Catholic understand Charities’ the extraordinary need for emergency food, clothing, and homeless preventionCatholic services. Charities Every services. thirty Nearly seconds 15 percent someone of Illinois turns residentsto live in poverty, Catholic Charities for help, and through your generosity,but in many Catholic of the Charitiesmost desperate is able communities, to assist our the brotherspoverty rate can reach 60 and sisters in their greatest time of need. percent or more. Although plagued by crime, drugs, gangs, and chronic unemployment, these communities have not been abandoned or forgotten. The Although I am unable to be with you this eveningLord is working, this occasion miracles in gives these meneighborhoods—and the opportunity indeedto offer at 164 locations my sincere thanks and congratulations to the Gala acrosshonorees, Cook Williamand Lake counties—throughand Jeanne Hardy, the Williamcommitment and and hard work of Mary Alice Jovan, and Jim Serritella and his late wife,Catholic Ruby, Charities. as they With accept its compassionate Catholic Charities’ staff, kindhearted volunteers, Mandatum Award in recognition of their generous dedicatedresponse board to Christ’s members, mandate and generous and model donors, of Catholic humble Charities brings the service to those in need. Each of these couples’ commitmentlove and healing to the touch work of Christ of Catholic to more thanCharities one million has taken people each year. many forms BLASEand has J.spanned CUPIC severalH decades. Tonight,The theme they of are this honored year’s Annual for their Report, extraordinary Connected by Hope, truly captures the generosity to Archbishopthe poor, ofas Chicago well as for the gift of theiressence active of service Catholic andCharities. leadership Reflecting to Catholic on the words Charities. of St. Paul, Pope Francis Their dedication and commitment to our most vulnerableeloquently brothers explained and that sister true hopes is an for inspiration Christians is to not us merely all. “wishful thinking,” but rather a constant expectation; it is something we count on. Hope is a gift from Organizing“Catholic an Charitiesevent of this magnitude requiresthe Holy the Spirit. work It andis faith talents in Jesus of Christmany who people. renews, I wouldbuilds, rebuilds, and never especially like to recognize the Gala of the Arts Chaircouple,lets us down. Michael No matter and their Carol race, gender,Bilder ,age, and religion Vice or creed, that is exactly Chaircouple,gives Gerry people and Heide hope Kenny , as well as allwhat of theCatholic members Charities of isthe to soGala many Committee. people: a gift Tha thatnk renews you and rebuilds their also to Allison Rosati for her enthusiastic presencelives tonight, and never to all lets of them the talenteddown. Catholic artists Charities who have gives people hope because they contributedbecause their artwork, they and know to all of the generousknow sponsors they can who count have on Catholicmade this Charities evening to help possible. make their lives better. It is an amazing accomplishment that Catholic Charities operates their programs Many thanks as well to Monsignor Michael Boland and the hard-working staff of Catholic with extremely low administrative costs. Always 92 cents of every dollar donated to Charities theywho offer can help count and healing on to over one million people each year. His kindness to those who are Catholic Charities goes directly to serve those in need. Catholic Charities is a suffering among us is a constant blessing and witness to the joy of the Gospel. Their commitment to remarkable steward of the resources bestowed upon them. serving theCatholic poor is a tremendous Charities blessing to the Archdiocese of Chicago. to help make their With sincere gratitude I would like to thank Catholic Charities Board of Directors, Finally, I would like to remember with sorrowBoard the of Advisors,anniversary Junior of Board the 9Members,-11 attacks and against the thousands our of volunteers, country, and thelives nearly better.” three thousand American heroescommittee who members, lost their and lives donors on thatthroughout tragic theday Archdiocese. We pray of Chicago, who for continued healing from these crimes against humanity,support Catholic and we Charities pray for efforts an end through to the their unspeakable generous service and donations. brutality and violence around the world. My hope Icontinues humbly thank to bethe thatCatholic there parishes, will be schools, a reawakening and institutions of our for their support. collective conscience about the dignity of human lifeAnd and I am a particularly fostering gratefulof pea ceto Monsignorand unity Michaelaround Bolandthe globe. and the nearly 3,000 staff members of Catholic Charities for their daily dedication to our neighbors in Thank you for your generosity tonight, andneed. for your continued support of Catholic Charities. I will pray for God’s abundant blessings for you andMay your God families. bless you With for your every commitment good wish, to Catholic I remain, Charities and all those it serves. With every good wish, I remain Sincerely yours in Christ, Sincerely yours in Christ, MostMost Reverend Reverend Blase Blase J. CupichJ. Cupich ArchbishopArchbishop of of Chicago Chicago 4 | Annual Report 2015 October 8, 2015 Dear Friends of Catholic Charities, Whether you are a donor, board member, volunteer, staff member, or someone receiving services from Catholic Charities, hope is the thread that weaves all of our lives together. We are all involved in Catholic Charities because we have hope: hope for a changed life, or hope in the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives. We are Connected by Hope, the theme of this year’s Annual Report. Catholic Charities is truly honored to carry out the Gospel mission to love and serve the poor and vulnerable in the Archdiocese of Chicago. This past year we had the very great privilege of helping more than one million people through 150 programs at 164 service locations. On the following pages you will learn about the wide range of programs that Catholic Charities offers for children, families, individuals, seniors, and veterans. With each life touched, we provide not only immediate relief, but also assess the situation from a holistic perspective, get to the root cause of suffering, and offer a plan for a better life. We fill each person up REV. MONSIGNOR with tremendous hope for the future, and as any volunteer or staff person can tell MICHAEL M. BOLAND you, they fill us up right back. Administrator, President, and CEO Part of Catholic Charities mission is to go to communities with the greatest Catholic Charities need, and this year we were able to open five new locations throughout the City of of the Archdiocese of Chicago Chicago. Our service expansions are done with great intentionality and discernment. We are constantly taking the pulse of community needs, evaluating our programs, assessing new opportunities, considering funding streams, and “We fill each person up asking the Holy Spirit to lead us to the places and the people who need us the most. When we decide to open a new program location, we do so with great care, with tremendous hope ensuring that our services are compassionate, professional, and representative of the hope and light of Christ. for the future, and as Catholic Charities comprehensive programs are possible because of the any volunteer or staff generosity of our supporters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our devoted volunteers, board members, corporate and government partners, private person can tell you, foundations, parishes, and individual donors who help us continually evolve and expand to meet changing needs. As you read through Catholic Charities they fill us up right Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report, it is my greatest wish that you feel connected by hope—connected to Catholic Charities mission, connected to those we serve, and back.” connected to Christ, who is the true source of all hope and healing. Sincerely, Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland Administrator, President, and CEO Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago www.catholiccharities.net | 5 FY2015 HIGHLIGHTS JULY 2014 • His Eminence Francis Cardinal George Day. Volunteer servers are Gibson’s convenes the Annual Meeting of Catholic employees, many of whom worked on • ConAgra Food Foundation renews its Charities Board of Advisors, inducting New Year’s Eve, and their families. support for our Summer Food Service 29 new members and gives one of his Program in the amount of $75,000, which • We open our newest regional office at final public addresses, which is covered allows us to hire five nutrition aides to St. Gall Parish on the Southwest side of extensively by the media. educate children on the importance of Chicago.