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GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES $38.5 MILLION SERVICE PROGRAM TO HELP VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
For Immediate Release: April 3, 2013

Residents in NYC and Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties Will Receive One-Stop-Shop Assistance for Sandy-Related Resources

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a $38.5 million program that New York State will oversee in conjunction with Catholic Charities that will provide over 200 service coordinators to assist individuals and families affected by Superstorm Sandy recover and access essential resources. The Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP) provides supplemental federal funding to states, U.S. Territories, and federally recognized Tribes after a Presidential disaster declaration that includes Individual Assistance.

The DCMP provides funding for a partnership between a disaster case manager and a disaster survivor to develop and carry out a Disaster Recovery Plan. This partnership provides the survivor with a single point of contact to access a broad range of resources. The process involves an assessment of the survivor’s verified disaster-caused unmet needs, development of a goal-oriented plan that outlines the steps necessary to achieve recovery, organization and coordination of information on available resources that match the disaster-caused needs, and the monitoring of progress toward reaching the recovery plan goals, and, when necessary, survivor advocacy.

“As recovery from Sandy continues, we’re entering a critical phase where direct one-on-one service will provide survivors with the assistance they need to get their lives back in order,” said Governor Cuomo. “The Disaster Case Management Program covers every facet of recovery assistance needed by individuals and families to ensure that those hit hard by the storm have their needs addressed efficiently and effectively. Working with partners like Catholic Charities, we will bring more resources directly to the people who need help the most.”

“Hurricane Sandy was absolutely devastating, physically and emotionally,” said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities. “The state, city and surrounding counties have done a remarkable job making assistance available to those impacted by this storm, but sometimes those affected can be overwhelmed by what it takes to get back on their feet. Having a single point of contact to explain the breadth of services and help navigate the system can be a tremendous help to individuals and families trying to recover from Sandy’s devastation. Approximately 200 case managers will be a portal of help and hope for those impacted as they begin to rebuild their homes and lives.”

DCMP coordinators, who will be stationed at locations in the 13 hardest-hit counties, can be a lifeline for people coping with Superstorm Sandy’s devastation, but who may be unfamiliar with the range of services currently being offered by local, State and Federal government.

Service coordinators are both advocates and expediters for those affected by Sandy. They first assess if clients have unmet needs related to the storm. If people qualify, they will be assigned a disaster case manager to serve as a single point of contact for all government- and insurance-related assistance. Then, based on interactions with the client, the service coordinators create individualized disaster recovery plans, including advocating for access to needed services, coordinating benefits, and making referrals for services outside the scope of disaster case management. Existing Sandy-related services for individuals and families range from direct federal and state grants and Small Business Association loans to insurance advocacy and referrals to the range of not-for-profit and voluntary programs that have been established.

The Superstorm Sandy DCMP is modeled after a similar program run by Catholic Charities in 34 counties across New York State following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. For Sandy assistance, Catholic Charities will either provide the service coordinators directly, or sub-contract them out to locally-based not-for-profit agencies that have demonstrated experience with this type of work, such as the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Good Shepherd Services, Lutheran Social Service and the Center for Independence of the Disabled. Catholic Charities will also subcontract to several organizations, such as the Greater Chinatown Community Association and El Centro del Immigrante, which can provide these services in additional languages so that no New York community gets left behind.

Eligibility is open to anyone with an unmet need that arose from or was exacerbated by Superstorm Sandy, even those who have not applied to FEMA for assistance. Those impacted by the storm can call 1-855-258-0483 to find out the location and contact information for their nearest service provider. A full list can also be found online atwww.catholiccharitiesny.org.

The State anticipates that more than 10,000 people will take advantage of this service. Already, more than 250,000 New York residents have applied to FEMA for disaster-related services following Sandy. According to FEMA, in past disasters, roughly 5% of FEMA applicants take advantage of disaster case management services.

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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov


New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418

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Posted in Policy and Advocacy, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Good Friday – A Commemoration and a Call to Assist Victims of Today’s Crucifixions

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Photo Credit: Sr. Marylin Gramas, S.U.

By Alice Kenny

At the largest public Christian peace witness in New York City, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New York Director of Justice and Peace Thomas Dobbins stood with Sr. Maureen Jerkowski, a member of the Lifeway Network of Religious Against Human Trafficking, as she read at the Catholic Charities of New York-sponsored Tenth Station of the Cross; Jesus is Stripped of His Garments, on Good Friday, March 29, 2013.

More than 500 people joined with them at this thirtieth annual Good Friday Way of the Cross, a modern-day enactment of the Stations of the Cross, to pray for peace and justice on the streets of New York.   The walk began at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th Street at First Avenue) and proceeded along 42nd Street to Ninth Avenue.  Participants were encouraged to reflect on “How do I do for others what Jesus is doing for me? How am I called to live in this world?”

Catholic Charities and the LifeWay Network chose the tenth station of the cross to raise awareness of human trafficking.  LifeWay Network’s mission is to provide safe housing for survivors of human trafficking and to offer educational opportunities for the general public.  Catholic Charities helps immigrants reunite legally with their families, obtain proper work authorization, learn English and civics, and prepare to pass citizenship exams. The organization also assists immigrants, non Catholics and Catholics alike, to avoiding exploitation by unscrupulous practitioners by providing correct information and realistic counsel about immigration status.

The Good Friday Way of the Cross is organized each year by Pax Christi Metro New York, a regional section of Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace.

“The Pax Christi Good Friday Way of the Cross has become an important part of my Good Friday observance over the past few years,” Mr. Dobbins said.  “It helps me to remember that Good Friday is not only a commemoration of events that took place 2,000 years ago, but more importantly is a call for us as Christians and people of good will to reach out and assist the victims of today’s crucifixions – the poor and the marginal, victims and refugees of war and violence, trafficked persons and others in desperate situations who don’t know where to turn – that, through our services, we at Catholic Charities seek to assist not only on Good Friday, but every day.”

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Posted in New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Supporting the Physically and Emotionally Challenged, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Another Family Faces Homelessness. This One Finds Help and Hope.

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Julissa Matias

By Alice Kenny

As housing prices continue rising in New York City while salaries at the low end of the pay scale stagnate, homelessness among working families has hit an all-time high. Augustina and her three toddlers, ages two, three and six, were about to join these homeless ranks.

The young mother’s $50-per-day income from her work as a home health aide had been stretched too thin for too long. Even with food stamps, she could not earn enough to pay for child care, clothing, and her Harlem apartment’s $1100 monthly rent. She owed nearly $12,000 to her landlord.

Homelessness in New York City has reached its highest levels since the Great Depression of the 1930s, according to statistics compiled by the Coalition for the Homeless. January 2013 set an all-time record with 50,100 homeless people. Twelve thousand homeless families including 21,000 homeless children who sleep each night in the New York City municipal shelter system comprise nearly three-quarters of the homeless shelter population. The overwhelming majority of these families holds jobs, such as Augustina, and fall behind in their rent after experiencing sudden medical costs, a death in the family, or loss of a job.

When Augustina first turned for help to the Catholic Charities Eviction Prevention Program she was terrified, she said. She had already been referred from one social service program. It seemed that time had run out.

Fortunately, she met Julissa Matias, site supervisor of the Catholic Charities Eviction Prevention Program at Waverly Job Center.

“It’s very rare that a family comes in that we cannot assist either by getting them FEPs (New York City’s Family Eviction Prevention Supplement) to help cover ongoing rent, obtain funding to cover rental arrears, or help find an apartment they can afford,” Ms. Matias said.

“But paying these families’ arrears is not enough,” she added. “They must be helped on to a sound footing where they can independently meet their future expenses.”

She was determined, she said, to provide this footing for Augustina and her children.

Augustina told Ms. Matias that she had been through hard times throughout her life. She no longer held out hope that anyone would help her.

So when Augustina learned that Catholic Charities would stand by her, she began to sob, Ms. Matias said. Through Catholic Charities Eviction Prevention Program, Ms Matias arranged for Augustina to receive a $2500 grant from a private organization. She helped her successfully apply for $7000 in FEPS funding. She bolstered Augustina’s confidence to ask her extended family for a $4000 loan. And she is using $1100 in Catholic Charities funds to pay back the remaining rental deficit.

Now, thanks to this help, Augustina and her children no longer wake up at night worried they might wind up on the street. They live in an apartment they know is their home.

“I have dealt with a lot of people in human service departments and Ms. Matias is the most professional, helpful, compassionate and kind person I’ve ever encountered,” Augustina said. “She gave me hope when so many gave me despair.”

At Catholic Charities in any given year:

6,981 families are saved from homelessness
1,487 people are placed in temporary or transitional apartments
6,109  families find affordable housing.

Click here to find a Catholic Charities agency that offers eviction prevention services.
Call the Catholic Charities Help Line at 888-744-7900 for assistance finding the services you need.

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Posted in Agencies, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, New York City, Policy and Advocacy, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Building Bridges by Feeding Our Neighbors

Monday, March 18th, 2013

By Alice Kenny

Feeding Our Neighbors, an Archdiocesan effort throughout 10 counties to fight hunger, celebrated the tremendous participation of Catholic schools among others during its second annual campaign with an Art Exhibition and Awards Presentation at the New York Catholic Center on East 55th Street in Manhattan on March 13.

Catholic Charities Executive Director Monsignor Kevin Sullivan joined with Dr. Timothy McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, and Dan Ahouse, Cablevision Area Director of Government Affairs, to welcome participants and announce awards.

“As we celebrate this wonderful transition and election of Pope Francis, we remember that one of his titles is called Pontifex, a word that simply means the builder of bridges,” said Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan at the event.

“The pope builds bridges,” Msgr. Sullivan continued. “The Catholic Church builds bridges. And Feeding Our Neighbors has built bridges because of the participation of so many.”

Students at local Catholic schools competed in the Feeding Our Neighbor Art Contest. Awardees included Syleste Alexander, a student at St. Teresa School in Staten Island, Omar Reyes, a student at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx and Anna Nicotra, a student at St. Augustine School in Ossining.

High School students also competed in the Cablevision Power to Learn Competition that raised food and funds for hungry New Yorkers. Students representing Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx won the competition. They donated their $6,000 award to their favorite charities; $5,000 to their high school and $1,000 to Catholic Charities.

The Feeding Our Neighbors Campaign is a response to Timothy Cardinal Dolan’s call that we all do our part to replenish the food pantries and soup kitchens that growing numbers of families and children in our communities rely on to survive. Sponsored by Catholic organizations throughout the Archdiocese of New York and managed by Catholic Charities, contributions to the campaign support local food pantries that serve New Yorkers non-Catholic and Catholic alike. Now in its second year, Feeding Our Neighbors joined forces this season with UJA Federation of New York to fight hunger and need.

  • In New York City, approximately 400,000 children rely on soup kitchens and food pantries for food.
  • In New York State, more than 3 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps) to meet their basic food needs.

Join us in Feeding Our Neighbors.

Click here to do your part to make sure no hungry neighbor is turned away.

  • $11.16 helps feed a child for one day.
  • $45 helps feed a family of four.

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Posted in Agencies, Cardinal Dolan, Events, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, New York City, Parishes, Policy and Advocacy, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Staten Island, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Catholic Charities Project Irish Outreach

Friday, March 15th, 2013

By Alice Kenny

Project Irish Outreach: 

Services provided:  Information, referral and advocacy is offered on a variety of matters including social service entitlements, Medicaid and Medicare information/referral, maternity services, addiction prevention and treatment, crisis intervention and pastoral counseling.

Where:  The Aisling Irish Center, 990 McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10467.

When:  Sr. Christine Hennessy, a social worker at the center, is available for confidential consultations from Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm.

For more information:  Contact: Sr. Christine Hennessy –Aisling Center, Yonkers

Phone: 914-237-5121
Fax: 914-237-5172

E-mail: sr.christine.hennessy@archny.org

 

Background:

  • Project Irish Outreach is based in mid-town Manhattan at the Catholic Center.
  • Confidential information, including information and referral on legal immigration matters, social services and entitlements, maternity services, and crisis intervention is provided.
  • Legal immigration representation is available in Catholic Charities Department of Immigration Services.
  • To prepare for any future legalization program, ask about ways that you can stay informed and be ready, should legalization be signed into law sometime in the future.

Confidential immigration information is also available from the New York State Immigration Hotline located at the Catholic Center.  Call  1(800) 566-7636

 

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Posted in Hudson Valley, Policy and Advocacy, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants and Refugees, What We Do at Catholic Charities | 1 Comment »

Harlem Mother Fights Back After Losing Two Sons to Gun Violence

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

 By Alice Kenny

February is the toughest month, Jackie Rowe-Adams tells Msgr. Kevin Sullivan during their conversation aired on JustLove on February 23.  Her two sons were shot dead in Harlem, one 15 years ago, one 30 years ago and both in February.  They died for no good reason, just crazy gun violence.

“Who’s giving our kids all these guns?” she asks.  “We have to take charge, take back our kids, take back our community.”

To fight back, Ms.  Rowe-Adams co-founded Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. (Stop Another Violent Act) in 2006.

The group meets regularly at Catholic Charities Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Memorial Community Center in Harlem.

Ms. Rowe-Adams confronted National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre at the group’s convention in April, she told Msgr. Sullivan, and heard back from him this month after the Newtown, Connecticut elementary school shooting.

Listen to JustLove, the Catholic Channel, to learn more about how Harlem mothers are fighting gun violence and the support they receive from Catholic Charities.

JustLove airs weekly on Saturday at 10 am EST on SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio on The Catholic Channel 129.

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Posted in JustLove, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Policy and Advocacy, Protecting and Nurturing Children and Youth, Strengthening Families and Resolving Crises, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Food Bank Volunteers Train for Food Pantry Safety

Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

 By Alice Kenny

Nearly 40 volunteers from food pantries throughout the Bronx and Manhattan took part on February 14 in the first-ever Food Bank for New York City training hosted outside Food Bank headquarters — and inside Catholic Charities Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center.   The food pantry food safety training, offered in Spanish, pulled in volunteers from food pantries associated with Catholic Charities along with other member programs as well.

Attendees that successfully completed this training received Food Bank Certificates in Food Pantry safety, a requirement for volunteer leadership at all Food Bank member programs.

“We are excited to be holding it at a Catholic Charities Community Services location,” said Jeanne McGettigan, Catholic Charities Coordinator of Emergency Food Services, “for the convenience and encouragement of our volunteers.”

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Posted in Agencies, Feeding the Hungry and Sheltering the Homeless, New York City, Policy and Advocacy, Volunteering, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Roundtable Honors George Horton with National 2013 Servant of Justice Award

Monday, February 11th, 2013

George Horton and his wife, Carolyn, at the Roundtable Dinner.

By Alice Kenny

George Horton, Catholic Charities New York Director of the Department of Social and Community Development, received the 2013 Servant of Justice award at the Roundtable annual awards dinner held in Washington, D.C. on February 9, 2013.  The Roundtable, a national Catholic association of diocesan social action directors, focuses on social action to improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable.

“George Horton uniquely combines a strong passion for justice in public policies with an extraordinary personal compassion for those in need,” Msgr. Kevin Sullivan said when he introduced Mr. Horton for this lifetime achievement award.  “Catholic Charities has been blessed by George’s perspective and goodness for more than three decades.”

Learn more about the Servant of Justice Award, the work of Mr. Horton and his lifetime of service for the poor and vulnerable.

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Posted in Events, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Policy and Advocacy, What We Do at Catholic Charities | No Comments »

Msgr. Kevin Sullivan Testifies before the New York State Legislature: “The Needs of the Poor Must Not Be Ignored.”

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Left to Right: Director Earl Eichelberger, Chair Monsignor Kevin Sullivan and Vice Chair Joe Slavic for Catholic Charities New York State Catholic Conference

By Alice Kenny

Msgr. Sullivan laid out a clear message when he testified before the New York State Legislature in Albany on Wednesday about the state’s upcoming 2013-2014 Human Services Budget.

“The needs of the poor and vulnerable must not be ignored,” he said.

Msgr. Sullivan chairs the NYS Council of Catholic Charities Directors and spoke before the legislature on their behalf.  His testimony covered numerous issues faced by the working poor and those in need including cost of living adjustments, child-care subsidies to allow parents to work and reforms in Medicaid the juvenile justice system.

“It is our hope that humane and wise decisions will be made to deal with the current budget balancing effort; decisions that do not add further stress and hopelessness to those already struggling with great burdens,” Msgr. Sullivan said in conclusion.

“The State Legislature has a history of identifying services that are essential to their constituents and finding a way to address those needs.  We can and must find a way to arrive at a result that does not further jeopardize the poor and vulnerable members of our society — a budget that affirms the dignity of all our state’s people.  We stand ready to work with you in achieving this laudable goal.”

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George Horton, Catholic Charities NY Director of the Department of Social and Community Development, honored with the 2013 Servant of Justice Award

Wednesday, February 6th, 2013

By Alice Kenny

The Roundtable, a national Catholic association of diocesan social action directors focused on social action to improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable, will honor George Horton, Catholic Charities New York Director of the Department of Social and Community Development, with its 2013 Servant of Justice award at the association’s annual awards dinner held in Washington, D.C. on February 9, 2013.

The award honors current or former Roundtable members whose work, through the tradition of Catholic social teaching, has led to significant progress towards greater social justice and dignity for all members of society.

A past chair of the Roundtable, Mr. Horton has worked for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York since 1981. He became Director of the Department of Community Development in 1991.  This department provides support for community groups through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.  It supports Archdiocesan Catholic Relief Services initiatives.  It advocates for just social and economic policies at the State and Federal level.  And it assists parishes and other Archdiocesan offices in understanding and implementing principles of Catholic social teaching.

Mr. Horton also contributes to the Archdiocesan newspaper, Catholic New York and serves as guest host for the JustLove radio program aired on The Catholic Channel Sirius Satellite Radio.

Catholic Charities Executive Director Msgr. Kevin Sullivan will introduce Mr. Horton at the ceremony.  Mr. Horton’s family and department staff, including Roundtable member and Catholic Charities Justice and Peace Coordinator Tom Dobbins, say they plan to attend the event.

“I am very honored to receive this award and also honored to have worked for Catholic Charities all these years,” Mr. Horton said. “Our Catholic Charities mission statement focuses on building a compassionate and just society and I’ve been blessed to be part of that effort.

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