Annual Report
2004
THE
CATHOLIC
CHARITIES
OF
THE
ARCHDIOCESE
OF
NEW YORK
Providing Help. Creating Hope. CONTENTS MISSION 1 In Any Given Year “The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York seeks to
3 uphold the dignity of each person as made in the image of God Message from His Eminence, Edward Cardinal Egan by serving the basic needs of the poor, troubled, frail and oppressed
4 of all religions. We collaborate with parishes and Catholic and Message from the Chairman of the Board non-Catholic partners to build a compassionate and just society.
5 Through a network of administered, sponsored and affiliated Report to the Community
7 agencies, Catholic Charities delivers, coordinates and advocates The Voices and Faces of Catholic Charities for quality human services and programs touching almost every
14-18 The Catholic Charities human need.” Federation of Agencies: Highlights and Directory
24 Catholic Charities Philanthropy
26 A Tribute to Friends and Funders of Catholic Charities
30 Fiscal Report
32 A Remembrance: Pope John Paul II
Inside Back Cover Board of Trustees and Executive Staff
Cover: Three-year old Brenton and his family are able to read and laugh together, thanks to the efforts of The Catholic Charities 2004 Annual Report Catholic Charities. For Brenton’s story, has been made possible through the generosity of the see page 8. Adrian & Jessie Archbold Charitable Trust. In Any Given Year THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK*
PROVIDE 4,250,000 MEALS THROUGH COMMUNITY AND PARISH FOOD PANTRIES • SERVE 200,000
PREPARED MEALS IN COMMUNITY KITCHENS • SERVE 30,000 MEALS IN SENIOR CENTERS AND 4,100
MEALS TO THE HOMEBOUND ELDERLY • RESPOND TO 68,000 HOT LINE CALLS FROM TEENS AND OTHER
INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS • PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRAL FOR SOCIAL SERVICES FOR 36,000
INDIVIDUALS • RESPOND TO 44,000 REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICES FROM IMMIGRANTS
AND REFUGEES • RESETTLE AND PROVIDE SOCIAL, EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO 425
REFUGEES • COORDINATE SERVICES AND PROVIDE ADVOCACY FOR 13,000 INDIVIDUALS • PROVIDE
FOSTER CARE FOR 5,000 CHILDREN AND GROUP CARE FOR 3,000 ADOLESCENTS • REUNITE 1,200
CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WITH THEIR NATURAL PARENTS AND FIND ADOPTIVE PARENTS FOR 500
CHILDREN • PROVIDE COUNSELING, PARENTING SKILLS AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO MORE THAN
15,000 FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AT RISK • PROVIDE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS FOR 27,000 YOUTH AND
CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL PROGRAMS FOR 5,000 YOUNG PEOPLE • PROVIDE SUMMER CAMPS FOR
3,000 YOUTH • PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO 3,600 RUNAWAY AND AT-RISK TEENS
• PROVIDE DAY CARE AND NURSERIES FOR MORE THAN 5,000 INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN •
PROVIDE DAY CARE AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR 1,200 DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED
CHILDREN • PROVIDE TEMPORARY, TRANSITIONAL OR PERMANENT HOUSING FOR 1,500 PEOPLE WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS • PROVIDE HOUSING FOR 1,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS • PREVENT
EVICTION OF MORE THAN 1,580 FAMILIES THROUGH ADVOCACY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE • PROVIDE
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 66,500 INDIVIDUALS • PROVIDE
ADDICTION TREATMENT AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO 20,500 INDIVIDUALS • PROVIDE JOB TRAINING
AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR MORE THAN 6,000 INDIVIDUALS • PROVIDE ADULT EDUCATION AND
HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CLASSES FOR 1,200 STUDENTS • PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELING
AND TREATMENT FOR 25,000 FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS • SUPPORT AND COUNSEL 240 FAMILIES
HELPING ELDERLY RELATIVES • ASSIST 11,000 VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND 100 HEARING IMPAIRED
INDIVIDUALS • SUPPORT 80 PARISH-BASED PROGRAMS ASSISTING THE HOMEBOUND ELDERLY
* This information is compiled from the Catholic Charities annual survey of more than 100 Catholic human service agencies in the Archdiocese of New York.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT 2004 1 New York City Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Guillermo Linares with Edward Cardinal Egan, Father Francis Skelly and members of Maria, a mother’s support group at the Catholic Charities site, located at the Church of St. Cecilia in East Harlem.
2 CATHOLIC CHARITIES Message from His Eminence, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN
Dear Friends: The human needs of Three phrases from the Catholic Charities mission statement —"touching almost “ every human need," "seeking to uphold the dignity of each person as made in the image of God," and " serving the poor, troubled, frail and oppressed of all religions"— provide a clear distraught children, picture of the challenge Catholic Charities faces. My visits this past year to a number of outstanding Catholic Charities programs made this challenge most apparent to me. abused adolescents or Just two days before Christmas, I visited The Lawrence F. Hickey Center for Child Development in the North Bronx, where I met forty girls and boys, ages three to five, struggling immigrant with special needs. Nearly all of their families live at or below the poverty line. In each of the five classrooms, I saw children with serious emotional and learning disorders mothers are just a few receiving the best of care and treatment. Despite their problems, the toddlers I met were open and engaged, full of laughter and holiday excitement. The care they receive at this of the many Catholic young age is effectively helping them overcome their many and varied difficulties. At the Cardinal McCloskey Services’ Hayden House in Ossining, I met adolescents who Charities touches ... had been through rough times with their families. Most were abused or neglected and lacked many of the normal routines essential to healthy development. Here, the youngsters as it works with both were doing their homework, or learning the skills needed to rebuild and advance themselves. I was interviewed by a self-assured resident reporter for the Hayden House newspaper professional excellence whose pertinent questions ranged from my years in Rome to my views on education. Great work is being done at Hayden House in giving back to these youngsters what was and an abiding spiritual taken from them. In East Harlem, I met with a group of immigrant mothers and their small children, mostly sense of the dignity of Mexican and Ecuadorian, who are members of a unique support group called Maria. They were holding their regular Wednesday morning session at the Catholic Charities each person to meet site at St. Cecilia’s Church on East 106 Street. Also at this site, a strong corps of parish volunteers, assisted by Catholic Charities staff, operates a food pantry used by more than human needs” 1,000 families a month. A trained social worker also assists with eviction prevention, emergency financial relief, and links to other vital services. The most vivid memory of this visit was the meeting between these Hispanic mothers and Commissioner Guillermo Linares of the New York City Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. The mothers, with polite toughness and self-confidence nurtured by the Catholic Charities staff, spoke of their problems and needs, and those of their children. The human needs of distraught children, abused adolescents or struggling immigrant mothers are a few of the many Catholic Charities touches as it serves "the poor, troubled and frail of all religions." May I ask that you read this Annual Report and share it with your family and friends. It sets forth a multitude of compelling reasons to support Catholic Charities as it works with both professional excellence and an abiding spiritual sense of the dignity of each person to meet human needs throughout the ten counties of the Archdiocese of New York. With prayerful best wishes, I remain Very truly yours in Christ,
Edward Cardinal Egan Archbishop of New York
ANNUAL REPORT 2004 3 Message from the Chairman, Board of Trustees JOHN J. PHELAN, JR.
Dear Friends: Basic needs, like shelter, food, work, and a country to call home, must be met for each individual — child or adult — to live in dignity. For thousands of New Yorkers living in the ten counties of the New York Archdiocese, these needs would not be met if it were not for Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities serves immigrants, refugees, the blind and deaf, the mentally, emotionally and physically challenged, the hungry, the homeless and those in danger of becoming homeless, those imprisoned and their families. As diverse as these services are, they are united by a common vision of each individual as made in God’s image and likeness and, therefore, worthy of dignity and respect. Catholic Charities serves the most vulnerable people without regard to religion. Need and available resources are the only criteria. Providing a vast array of human services requires the dedication of many individuals filling many different roles. Every day, the hearts and hands of these services are the thousands of dedicated professional I feel privileged to staff and myriad volunteers. We owe them a debt of gratitude. “ I would like to stress the importance of, and my appreciation to, the work with Catholic more than 1000 volunteer directors and trustees of the federation of more than 100 Catholic Charities agencies throughout the New York Charities. It’s as simple metropolitan area. Their contribution of time, insight, and financial resources is critical to the success of our agencies. I was very pleased that we were able to affirm their important fiduciary role by convening as that. Catholic a symposium for them on nonprofit corporate governance with New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer as the main speaker. Charities responds with In these times, it is critical that we avow the responsibility of our determination and charitable organizations to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. We are entrusted with a noble mission. We must act nobly. We owe this to those who contribute to our programs dedication, reaching and services, and we owe this to those who depend on our services. out to those with all I feel privileged to work with Catholic Charities. It’s as simple as that. Catholic Charities responds with determination and dedication, types of need. reaching out to those with all types of need. This annual report ” about Catholic Charities describes needs as well as responses. It describes hardship as well as help, anguish as well as hope. It describes Catholic Charities as a necessary part of New York. With warmest regards,
John J. Phelan, Jr. Chairman, Board of Trustees
4 CATHOLIC CHARITIES Report to the Community from the Executive Director MONSIGNOR KEVIN SULLIVAN
The glass is both half full and half empty for Catholic Charities. Through the efforts of our dedicated staff, volunteers and benefactors, New Yorkers of all religions have been helped to live better lives and are treated with dignity and respect. So, the glass is half full with so much goodness. Yet, haunting questions persist. Why must we do this? What is wrong that so many are not able to meet their basic needs? Is the problem with the individuals or with our priorities as a society? Whatever the correct combination of answers, the stark reality is that the glass is also half empty. Too many of our sisters and brothers are far too vulnerable and poor. They need our help and The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York is there where help is needed, from the tip of Staten Island to Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties in the Hudson Valley, through more than 100 human service agencies. Permit me to comment on what seems like an insignificant part of Catholic Charities’ full name: The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. "The" is critical. Catholic Charities was formed in 1917 to coordinate the multiple Catholic charitable because government attempts to impose requirements on our activities in the Archdiocese — The Catholic Charities. This delivery of services that challenge our Catholic values and principles. remains the core of our mission: to coordinate, represent and Yet, these partnerships are worth preserving and strengthening advocate for the diverse good works by many different Catholic to maintain the integrity of both partners. In all this, we must organizations in the Archdiocese of New York. These diverse good act with civility and resolve. The lives of thousands of our most works, carried out by communities of women and men religious, vulnerable sisters and brothers of all religions depend on our parishes, charismatic religious, clergy and lay leaders still need to Catholic Charities agencies, their professional excellence and be recognized, celebrated, supported and coordinated. Sometimes spiritual underpinning. they need to be reorganized. Their integrity and quality still need to be safeguarded and protected. LOCAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH A special debt of gratitude is owed to the more than 1,000 Providing services and support to an area of 4,855 square volunteer directors and trustees of the affiliated agencies of The miles — Tottenville on Staten Island to Roscoe in Sullivan County Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. They lend and Amenia in Dutchess County — cannot be done from one location. their valuable resources, their time, talent and insights to ensure However, there is a federation of Catholic Charities human service that agencies of Catholic Charities meet the highest standards of agencies located throughout the Archdiocese. In addition, Catholic quality and integrity. Charities has developed regional service areas in the Archdiocese and regional coordinators who can reach out to serve their local PARTNERSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT areas. Yet, even a regional coordinator cannot do it all. Fortunately, Catholic Charities works in partnership with all three Catholic Charities is unique among major human service agencies levels of government: New York City and the counties of the in New York because of the existence of 400 parishes in the Archdiocese, New York State and the federal government. Archdiocese. Generous parishioners, who are knowledgeable about Government bureaucracy often has a bad reputation, and some- their localities, can and do help Catholic Charities respond to times it is deserved. However, New York State, its counties and needs. Also, The Catholic Charities regional coordinator becomes a New York City deserve recognition for the resources they devote partner with other local providers enabling us to use our resources to the care of vulnerable New Yorkers, often in partnership with to fill in gaps so that local community needs are better served. agencies such as Catholic Charities. As in any partnership, tensions The work of Sister Joanne Dress, regional coordinator in Orange need to be worked out. At times, we argue because government County, is a fine example. The effect of her outreach was evidenced reimbursement is inadequate and regulations needlessly restrict in the role Catholic Charities played in providing flood relief to the our ability to get the job done. Sometimes confrontations develop
ANNUAL REPORT 2004 5 residents of Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. We worked with human dignity. The lack of work degrades human dignity. Work parishes and other agencies as a link in the network of caring that must respect the dignity of the worker with just compensation for helped residents devastated by flood waters. labor. Catholic Charities has made an increasing commitment to enhance our efforts in this area. Our refugee resettlement programs A new initiative in Orange County will underscore our commit- include training and job placement. Our childcare agencies have ment to local communities by enhancing our focus on human always been concerned about employment for those young people service needs in this growing county. We will establish a local aging out of foster care. As a result, we are developing an exciting Catholic Charities agency that will expand the efforts already program that has the potential for training and employment in undertaken in the region and will be guided by knowledgable unions, government and the private sector for these adolescents. Orange County residents. As part of the reorganization of Pius XII Since the 9/11 tragedy, in response to the unemployment of many Youth and Family Services, its valuable chemical dependency victims, we have focused on rebuilding their lives through job services for residents of Orange County will be provided through training and placement. We are expanding our previous efforts by this new agency. integrating the Pius XII Marie Smith Urban Street Academy to Allow me to highlight a few specific programs and projects that provide a stronger program. are at critical stages at this time. Catholic Youth Organization – CYO St. Nicholas Project Parish and community-based athletics are at CYO’s Catholic Charities St. Nicholas Project began as a heart. However, CYO also provides summer day camping, operates Christmas Adopt-a-Family gift-giving program and has evolved into community centers and provides youth ministry programs. No a year-round project with three critical parts: Christmas gift-giving, single Catholic Charities program reaches as many young people year-round professional caring and personal involvement. We are and families. Tens of thousands of young people, their parents particularly proud that this program permits us to reach out to the and adult coaches participate in hundreds of thousands of games next generation of New Yorkers who wish to demonstrate their caring and activities each year. But this quantity is not enough. Last year, for those in need through involvement with Catholic Charities. we asked CYO teams to be more aware of their neighbors’ needs and to participate in the St. Nicholas Project. Many teams provided Newcomers: Immigrants and Refugees Christmas gifts for families in need. The world of youth sports, camping and community centers is changing. CYO is committed More than 40,000 individuals a year call the New to remaining vibrant as it reviews its mission and programs to York State Immigration Hotline operated by Catholic Charities. make sure they continue its legacy of serving our youth. Thousands of immigrants seek assistance in person and hundreds petition for refugee status or are resettled. In addition to this Homelessness / Eviction Prevention direct assistance to individual immigrants and refugees, we work with others to protect the rights of newcomers. This experience For those with good jobs, the cost of housing is high. helps us to inform public officials of the obstacles newcomers and For those with lower incomes, the cost is staggering. Thousands of their families face and the need for better policies to assist them families came to Catholic Charities last year seeking help to avoid and protect their rights. Most recently, a coalition of Catholic becoming homeless. Fortunately, through the dedicated work of our organizations launched the Campaign for Immigrant Justice, under staff, we were able to piece together resources to help more then the leadership of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, that will 2,000 families stay in their homes. This is an ongoing struggle. address critical issues facing immigrants. Catholic Charities will be a Despite the efforts of many in government and the nonprofit sector, major part of this effort in New York and throughout the country. there is simply not enough affordable housing for low and moderate- income families. Catholic Charities works in coalition with others Work and Jobs to devise policies and programs that address the critical issues of homelessness and housing. We need more affordable housing and we It seems self-evident that work is good. However, need ongoing assistance to help families remain in those houses. unfortunate public debates about welfare reform might dissuade one. "Work" has become a flash point: either a panacea to deal The challenge of this report was to cover so much in so little with welfare fraud or a mean-spirited curse to punish the poor. space. Out of necessity, it is illustrative. For all the programs, staff, So let me repeat our perspective: work is good. Work enhances volunteers, partners and donors not mentioned, thank you.
6 CATHOLIC CHARITIES The Voices and Faces of Catholic Charities
"Thank you guardian angels at Catholic Charities. I was living on a bench with my twin sons in a homeless shelter…I found out about "An old friend of mine from the Catholic Charities Sierra Leone pointed out in employment program. I got his remarks that your refugee a job, a real job! I’m saving and immigrant services at money for an apartment. “Thank God for Catholic Catholic Charities is like a I still can’t believe how my Charities, as well as for your ‘river of love which avails life has turned around." strength in helping us water to its clients in the through this most difficult —Julia and Her Sons Get a Fresh Start long and difficult journey problem. My wife and I of life.’ From you I have appreciate all that you were learned a new virtue: that able to do in helping us keep of doing good, which, in "It’s me, Angelika, and our family warm and safe. turn, leads us to promote I want to say so much to Our prayers have been good and happiness." everybody that helped. I got answered, and you were the —A Refugee, Who Discovered the Power my job because of everybody answer to our prayers." of Goodness in Catholic Charities. I —A Family Keeps a Home loved [sic] to say ‘thank you for you.’ You always tell me not to give up so easy; and I "I thank you from the bottom didn’t!" “On behalf of the M. family, of my heart. If it wasn’t for I would like to thank you —Angelika, Who Didn’t Give Up the help I received, I don’t very much for all your know how I would have kindnesses. You’re one of survived the most devastating them that truly helped us day of my life, 9/11 — the "I’m afraid I could go on to change our lives from breakup of my marriage forever singing the praises of very little to very big, and the loss of my job. the staff at your Haverstraw meaning from immigrant Diana [of Catholic Charities] [Catholic Charities of to citizenship. Someday soon you are an angel sent from Rockland County] regional we will be unfolding our life heaven.” office. I just have to say a stories and saying how much —Victor, Who Needed Help Rebuilding big thank you to you for the you contributed to them." His Life After 9/11 outstanding services —The M. Family, On to Citizenship Catholic Charities provides to us in the field. I look forward to working with your staff in Dutchess County."
—Reverend Kenneth Gallagher, A Parish Priest Who Found a Working Partner in Catholic Charities On the following pages are the real-life faces and stories of Catholic Charities clients...
ANNUAL REPORT 2004 7 Children & Families
Catholic Charities responds to the needs of children and families – helping parents to keep their children safe and give them a better chance in life. It’s a miracle that Brenton, age three, is alive. He had two open-heart surgeries before he was one week old, and spent two years in hospitals. His parents were told that Brenton would die. Because Brenton could not be with his family, his mother brought the family to him. She visited him every day, traveling for hours from the Bronx with Brenton’s sisters and little brother. Brenton finally came home with a Pacemaker monitoring his heart. He was unable to speak, and needed a special crib to keep him bacteria-free. Maritza, a Catholic Charities case worker, found the crib and provided emergency food assistance for the family and the funds to pay the phone bill — critical because Brenton’s Pacemaker is monitored by phone. Maritza also made sure that Brenton and his family got new coats and clothes from the Catholic Charities Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program.
SERVICES