Blog

Second Quarter 2019 Issue #2 We’re blessed by an abundance of change this quarter, as you’ll see in the stories, photos, and news coverage below.  As a multi-service agency, we’re attuned to the issues and needs of the day, which means growth in programs such as housing, mental health, and other services. At the sameRead more

Immigration Legal ServicesWhen is Enough, Enough June 24, 2019 “The recent on-again, off-again, threats of ICE sweeps in major cities only fuel fear, division, and distrust, harming all of us, when we should be working together to achieve comprehensive immigration reform,” says Margaret Peterson, Interim CEO of Catholic Charities East Bay. “As a country, weRead more

Jay, a father of two, had been homeless for the past two years. While his children were cared for by family, Jay couch surfed as often as he could, regularly sleeping in his car when nothing else was possible. After getting a better paying night job for a local company, Jay found an apartment heRead more

Meet Karen Erickson, our new Director of Housing and Financial Services. Karen has over 34 years in the social service field, ten of that with Catholic Charities in San Francisco. There, she was involved with homeless services such as eviction prevention, rental assistance, rapid rehousing, and working in a shelter. I asked Karen some questions: TheRead more

First Quarter 2019 Issue #1 Welcome to our new quarterly e-newsletter. We’ll be reporting on stories about the help being provided in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We’ll also promote the latest events, trainings, or news coverage. Please enjoy these stories which show a sample of the difference employees, volunteers, and other supporters are making for children, familiesRead more

Dear Catholic Charities, August has been a difficult month. The church scandals have sent many in different emotional directions. Within our work at Catholic Charities, we are aware of the long-term harm and devastation that results from crimes against children, families, and communities. Catholic Charities and the Diocese share a devotion grounded in Scripture andRead more

30 Resources to Improve Personal Mental Health through Meditation and Mindfulness Providing people with the tools and nurturing to improve their circumstances is infinitely rewarding, but it can be draining at times.  We know the drill for staying physically healthy – getting annual checkups, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and logging in plenty ofRead more

35 Resources to Help Immigrant Families and Support Other Communities in Need Long after the headlines fade, more than 2,300 immigrant children separated from their parents will still need compassion, support, and legal assistance. The splintering of families can irreparably damage the mental health of children, even after they’ve been reunited, according to the AmericanRead more

Catholic Charities’ Legal Services Recent federal action to detain and separate families at the southern border has created a humanitarian crisis that has torn families apart and is still harming the most vulnerable – children, including newborns and toddlers. This immoral action is counter to our faith, our values, and our commitment to keeping familiesRead more

Catholic Charities USA, a national organization representing 166 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies, is deeply concerned about the recent policy of family separation at the border. We recognize that protecting and securing our borders is important, yet we must find ways to ensure the safety of refugee children, some of whom are babies and toddlers. ReadRead more