A PLACE OF 2016 ANNUAL REPORTmercy “MERCY IS THE FORCE THAT REAWAKENS US TO NEW LIFE AND INSTILLS IN US THE COURAGE TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE.” Pope Francis CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO 2 A PLACE OF CONTENTSmercy Letters 4 Archbishop Blase Cupich Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland FY2016 Highlights 7 Our Programs 9 Events 13 Letter 14 Timothy J. Rivelli, Board Chair Board of Advisors 15 Keeping Hope Alive 16 FY2016 Giving 17 FY2016 Financials 18 FY2016 Statistics 19 Donor Honor Roll 20 Mother’s Day Appeal Donors 27 Ways to Give 29 3 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP October 27, 2016 Dear Brothers and Sisters, For nearly one million people throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Charities has become A Place of Mercy—a fitting theme for the following pages of Catholic Charities 2016 Annual Report. By proclaiming this a Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has asked each of us to be the hands of God’s mercy in our often violent and poverty-stricken world. Mercy can overcome any type of adversity and instill hope for the future. At the beginning of the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father requested that cathedrals and churches around the globe open Holy Doors of Mercy that can be visited in every diocese. A door is symbolic of a passage to something new, and opening a door is an invitation to cross over, to enter a different space. By passing through a Holy Door of Mercy, we are invited to enter a place where God’s mercy and mercy for BLASE J. CUPICH others shapes our hearts and our actions. By entering this new space, our lives and Archbishop of Chicago the lives of those we encounter are forever changed. In much the same way, the people who cross the thresholds of the doors to Catholic Charities are also invited to a place of mercy—a place where they can receive the help they need to change their lives forever. With more than 150 programs and 153 service locations throughout Cook and Lake counties, there are many thresholds to be crossed, and many opportunities for lives to be changed for the better. Every 30 seconds someone knocks on the doors of Catholic Charities, “The people who cross the and thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, their knocks are always answered with warmth, kindness, and concrete help. thresholds of the doors to With sincere gratitude I would like to thank Catholic Charities Board of Directors Catholic Charities are and Board of Advisors, Junior Board members and the thousands of volunteers, committee members, and donors throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, who also invited to a place of support Catholic Charities efforts through their generous service and donations. A special thank you goes to our Catholic parishes, schools and institutions for their mercy—a place where dedicated support. I would also like to recognize the many government, they can receive the help professional and social service organizations with whom we collaborate throughout the year. Finally, I am particularly grateful to Monsignor Michael Boland and the they need to change their nearly 3,000 staff members of Catholic Charities for creating A Place of Mercy for lives forever.” our neighbors in need. May God bless you for your commitment to Catholic Charities and all those it serves. With every good wish, I remain Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO 4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT October 27, 2016 Dear Friends of Catholic Charities, This 99th year of Catholic Charities service to those in need has partially taken place during the Jubilee Year of Mercy. When Pope Francis declared this the Jubilee Year of Mercy, he did so with great hope that the power of God’s mercy could transform our world. He humbly called on each one of us to reach out, embrace, and heal those who are deeply wounded by poverty, burdened by sorrow, or surrounded by violence. Catholic Charities mercifully heeds the Holy Father’s call, raising up our brothers and sisters in need, and transforming the world…one person, one family at a time. Pope Francis has used a powerful image of the Church as “field hospitals.” During war, field hospitals are situated right on battlegrounds—close to the wounded who need help. Similarly, as part of the Church in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic REV. MONSIGNOR Charities 153 service locations are very much like field hospitals, helping those who MICHAEL M. BOLAND are suffering, and often located in neighborhoods that have sadly become like real battlegrounds, plagued with violence and despair. Catholic Charities program sites Administrator, President, and CEO Catholic Charities are safe havens in desperate areas, and our staff and volunteers are truly ministers of the Archdiocese of Chicago of mercy, providing help through a hot meal, a bag of food, a place to live, the care of a child or elderly relative, counseling, job training, or job placement. In total, nearly one million people this year including seniors, children, teens, veterans, immigrants, refugees, and anyone needing a helping hand, relied on Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities programs are possible because of the generosity of our “Catholic Charities supporters. I am very grateful to our devoted volunteers, board members, corporate and government partners, private foundations, parishes, and individual program sites are safe donors who help us remain a place of mercy in Cook and Lake counties. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters for their prayers, advocacy, havens in desperate and supplemental financial contributions during the Illinois state budget impasse. areas, and our staff and Thus far, Catholic Charities has been able to weather the budget storm without cutting vital services to fragile populations. As we look to the future, however, volunteers are truly it is imperative that our state leaders pass a budget immediately, and we continue ministers of mercy...” to ask for your prayers and support. As we close our 99th year of service and begin preparations for our centennial celebration, we know that it is truly a blessing that Catholic Charities has become A Place of Mercy to those in great need. For nearly 100 years, Catholic Charities has worked in partnership with faithful supporters to provide the transforming love, compassion, and professional help needed to propel our brothers and sisters to a new life—one filled with hope and dignity. Sincerely, Rev. Monsignor Michael M. Boland Administrator, President, and CEO 5 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 “MERCY MEANS CARRYING THE BURDEN OF A BROTHER OR SISTER AND HELPING THEM WALK.” Pope Francis CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO 6 A YEAR OF FY2016 HIGHLIGHTSmercy SUMMER • Pope Francis declares this a Jubilee Year of Mercy, • Catholic Charities welcomes the House of Good reminding us “this is a time for mercy. It is a Shepherd domestic violence shelter to its family favorable time to heal wounds.” of programs. With a more than 157 year history • More than 100 Board members gather at St. of helping women and children, the shelter Louise de Marillac Chapel for the annual Ash provides comprehensive care and services to Wednesday Mass led by Bishop Joseph Perry women and children on their healing journeys. followed by dinner and a reflection to begin the • The Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Lake Lenten season. County hosts its annual Achievement Celebration with more than 90 participants SPRING being recognized for educational and • Facing an unprecedented eight months without employment milestones. an Illinois State Budget, Monsignor Boland speaks out in the press on behalf of all social FALL service agencies, fearing a crumbling of the state • Archbishop Blase Cupich convenes the 98th social service safety net as agencies across the Annual Meeting of Catholic Charities Board of state close or reduce programs. For the first Advisors, inducting 40 new members, and gives time ever, a special call for advocacy for Catholic his first address to the Board. Charities clients is distributed to all parishes. Catholic Charities remains committed to serving • Pope Francis makes his first visit to the United our clients, implementing a hiring freeze and States, with stops in New York City, Washington, administrative budget cuts in order to do so. D.C., and Philadelphia. • More than 40 members of the Board of • The Junior Board lives out our Catholic Social Advisors join agency leadership in advocating Teaching to “Welcome the Newcomer” by for social services and Catholic Charities clients hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at St. Gregory the to state leaders and representatives at the Great parish for 100 family members resettled annual Springfield Advocacy Days. in Chicago through our Refugee Resettlement Program. • To support our Mary’s Closet career clothing program for Catholic Charities clients, Encore WINTER is held at our downtown office. Hundreds of people shop high-end designer apparel and • The 68th Annual Celebration of Giving provides accessories, raising more than $30,000 for the Christmas gifts to 28,500 people. More than program. 700 volunteers sorted, packed, and distributed toys and gifts at our “Santa’s Workshops” in • Catholic Charities embarks on a fundraising Chicago and Waukegan. initiative, Keeping Hope Alive, in an effort to continue vital programs for seniors, children, • Chicago Cubs General Manager Joe Maddon and veterans, and previously homeless families several players from the team serve dinner to that are being impacted by the State budget the homeless at our downtown evening supper. impasse. Maddon shares words of encouragement and the guests enjoy taking photos with the players at their first public appearance of the season. 7 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 “A LITTLE BIT OF MERCY MAKES THE WORLD LESS COLD AND MORE JUST.” Pope Francis 8 | Annual Report 2015 8 OUR PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF YOUR MERCY, she is safe “There are things I don’t like about Every three hours someone is shot in Chicago.