Dear Friends of Catholic Charities:

On behalf of Bishop Lucas and the Corporate Board of Directors, it is a pleasure for me to present to you the 2008 Annual Report for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.  It continues to be an honor for me to serve as Executive Director and to collaborate with so many wonderful people across our diocese to further the Mission of Catholic Charities.  To be sure, the Mission of Catholic Charities is clear one, but it is also “fluid” depending upon changing conditions in the communities that we serve and the ever-changing needs of our clients.  The history of Catholic Charities is filled with examples where unexpected catastrophes or disasters have inflicted great pain and suffering and Catholic Charities has responded to these challenges by providing help and hope to those in need. 

The recent severe downturn in the economy once again presents us with a challenge not seen since the days of the Great Depression.  While it can be argued that today’s hardships pale in comparison to those dark days, it cannot be denied that millions of Americans have lost their jobs, health insurance, savings, pensions and even their homes over the last year due to the current economic crisis.  This new reality has had a profound impact on our society as well as Catholic Charities as we struggle to meet the growing demand for our services that has been created.  More people are coming to us now than at anytime I can remember in my 23 year career at Catholic Charities.

They need financial assistance to stay in their homes or pay bills; they need help in obtaining life saving medications because they have lost their health insurance; they need food to put on the table and decent clothing to wear or they may need professional counseling to keep the pressure from breaking their family apart.  

The current situation is a bit of a double-edged sword for us at Catholic Charities.  At a time when the demand for our services is at an all-time high, the capacity of our donors is significantly diminished.  It is without a doubt that many of you who have faithfully supported Catholic Charities over the years are struggling and it makes it very difficult for us to call upon you…but we must!

While our new president and congressional leaders struggle to develop effective strategies, we know that government interventions take time – and that is something our clients do not have.  We must call upon you because substantial layoffs in places like Decatur and Granite City are happening right now.  We must call on you because our food pantries are not adequately stocked.  We must call on you because foreclosures are putting people out on the street today. We must call upon you because tens of millions of Americans have no health insurance. We must call upon you because we have nowhere else to turn and there is desperation in the eyes of those who come to our doors. 

For decades, the people of the Springfield Diocese have responded to the challenge of helping those in need. The generosity that has been so consistent over the years has sustained us through the most trying of times and I know that it will again.  I ask that you continue to pray for the clients of Catholic Charities and that you somehow find a way to financially support our programs.  I have read that many people are not reducing the level of giving to their individual charities, but rather they are limiting the number of charities they financially support.  I ask that you consider keeping Catholic Charities as one of your “preferred causes” with the assurance that Catholic Charities is a well respected and nationally accredited social service agency that helps thousands of individuals from all backgrounds on an annual basis. 

Thank you for all you do for us and may God bless you and your family in 2009.

Sincerely,

Steven E. Roach, M.S.
Executive Director

2008 Highlights

In life, we have joy as well as sorrow. Joy comes from many sources such as being a responsible person, a caring spouse, a loving parent, a respectful child. Sorrow comes from snags in these relationships.

	Counseling - FY2008: Total Served: 1,100 clients Senior Outreach - FY2008: Elderly Guardianship: 73 Clients Eldercare Options: 173 Clients Faith in Action: 253 Clients Meals on Wheels: 753 Clients Strong for Life: 64 Clients

Professional Counseling Solutions:

Our therapeutic programs offer professional, compassionate counseling services to individuals, couples and families striving for emotional wellness. In addition to addressing such problems as depression, anxiety, difficult life transitions, and co-dependency, counseling focuses on providing individuals with the coping skills they need to be happy, productive members of their families and communities. Even though it offers a sliding fee scale, additional donations enable the agency to offer these counseling services in a safe, caring environment.

Supportive Pregnancy Services:

Catholic Charities provides Pregnancy and Parent Support Services, offering a wide range of pregnancy counseling, as well as educational, medical and infant placement services to help individuals and families of those involved in an unplanned pregnancy.

Faith in Action:

More than 12 million Americans have a serious, long-term health need that prevents them from carrying out many daily activities for themselves. In addition, a growing number of people are faced with the challenge of helping a loved one, neighbor or friend with cancer, arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS or other conditions. The nationally-renowned Faith in Action program was created to meet those needs.

Catholic Charities of Decatur oversees the non-denominational Faith in Action of Macon County, where volunteers make a difference by providing simple assistance, such as grocery shopping, light housekeeping, transportation and companionship. Our program fills gaps in services among people who may not qualify for other programs. Presently, a network of volunteers provides non-medical assistance to nearly 300 care receivers throughout the year. Faith in Action empowers frail, homebound seniors, age 55 and older, to maintain their independence and dignity.

Elderly Guardianship and Eldercare Options:

People have special needs, especially as they grow older. When someone can no longer manage his or her personal affairs, finances or healthcare, Catholic Charities’ Eldercare Options can assess, counsel and determine the need for guardianship for disabled and aged adults. We offer alternative services to guardianship, such as referrals to other agencies, and information and education about guardianship to families.

Whenever necessary, we assume guardianship and make decisions regarding the health, welfare and safety of a senior in our Elderly Guardianship program. Through input from the individual and assistance from professionals, we coordinate living arrangements, job training, entitlement and benefits, property and civil rights, religious rights, medical care and burial.

Meals on Wheels

For many homebound seniors, the prospect of preparing a meal for themselves can become overwhelming. Shopping is challenging and preparing a meal can be cumbersome. Without family or support systems, malnutrition is a potential problem.

In Macon County, there’s such a support system in place in Meals on Wheels, operated by Catholic Charities of Decatur since it assumed oversight of the program in 2002. On weekdays, nutritional lunches are planned by registered dieticians at Decatur Memorial Hospital and prepared in the facility’s kitchen. The hot meals are then delivered to homebound seniors in Decatur and several smaller communities in Macon County by an array of cheerful, caring volunteers, currently numbering close to 300. Annually, we facilitate the preparation and delivery of over 88,200 meals.

Catholic charity in America began by serving families in need. Today, children and their families remain the focus of the mission of Catholic Charities.

	Family-Based Services: FY2008 Foster Care: 315 Children Foster Aftercare: 60 Children Intact Family Services: 98 Families Extended Family Support:: 26 Families Residential Care: 70 Children Special Education (CCH): 155 Children Adoption Services: Adoptions (completed):23 Cases Post-Adoption Services: 40 Clients

Foster Care:

We realize that, in many communities, some children cannot live with their parents; it's simply not safe. Foster parents, caring and willing to give of themselves and their homes, help the small and vulnerable find a sense of security in the world. They create an environment that is free from abuse and neglect. While the children are safe, the staff of Catholic Charities' various foster care programs work closely with the biological parents to resolve any existing problems. We show success in more than 33 percent of our cases when children are safely placed either with their biological parents or with surrogate parents. Some cases require additional help and resources to provide long-term stability.

Adoption:

Catholic Charities is committed to providing permanent homes for children. The agency seeks adoptive homes for children who, for one reason or another, cannot remain in or return to the home of their birthparents. Our caring, professional staff prepare families to adopt and supervise the placement of children until the legal adoption is finalized.

Catholic Children's Home:

Catholic Charities provides management of the Catholic Children's Home (CCH) in Alton. The home offers emergency shelter care, residential and independent living programs for children who are wards of the state and victims of abuse and neglect. In addition, CCH operates a Special Education School for almost 160 special needs children in the Metro East St. Louis area.

Intact Family Services:

To aid troubled families and children who are at risk of abuse and neglect, Catholic Charities offers an Intact Family Services program to help families learn the skills needed for future success while the family stays together. Usually, the children have been abused or neglected by parents who are having difficult problems. Without home-based services, the children may be placed in foster care. Participants do not pay fees for this service and receive some cash assistance for specific needs.

	Community Services and Health Assistance: FY2008 Crisis Assistance: 21,953 Clients Food Pantries: 60,930 Clients Resale Stores: 127,199 Customers Resale (Assistance): 13,634 Clients St. John's Breadline: 207,987 Meals MedAssist: 1,731 Clients St. Francis Community Clinic: 1,653 Clients St. Clare's Health Clinic: Adults (18+): 1,305 Children (18 and under):2,490

Providing Relief Every Day: Basic Needs

The majority of Catholic Charities’ relief services are not disaster related, but rather performed on a daily basis. Catholic Charities’ dedicated staff and volunteers provided hope and healing through goods and services provided every day to anyone who had a need. The generosity of thousands of area Catholics and non-Catholics alike also help make it possible for these basic needs to be filled.

For example, the food pantries located in Alton, Carlinville, Decatur, Effingham. Mattoon, Quincy and Springfield serve more than 60,900 clients a year in need of food, household supplies and personal toiletry items. During holidays, many pantries also supply food baskets to area families. St. John’s Breadline in Springfield provides two free meals a day, served 365 days a year to anyone who is hungry. For those in need of health care, Catholic Charities offers many services on a low-income, sliding-scale fee basis. The St. Francis Community Clinic in Beardstown provides quality health care to more than 1,600 patients per year. The St. Clare Health Clinic in Springfield serves nearly 2,500 children and 1,300 adults a year by providing medical, dental and vision care. Under the MedAssist program, which is offered throughout the Diocese, more than 1,700 eligible patients last year were able to obtain more than $5.5 million of prescription medicines from pharmaceutical companies for a small fee.

Last year, Catholic Charities’ Professional Counseling Services provided counseling to 1,100 clients facing personal or family conflicts and problems. Student counseling, foster child counseling and supportive pregnancy counseling is also offered by Catholic Charities’ professional therapists. Those in the Springfield diocese facing domestic crisis situations can turn to Catholic Charities for assistance in finding shelter, food, clothing and transportation. About 21,000 people a year are aided through crisis assistance centers located throughout the area. Catholic Charities staff members also serve as client advocates for those who need services from other organizations.

Help and Hope For the Future

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people throughout the Springfield Diocese, Catholic Charities is able to continue its mission to provide help and hope. Whether by natural disasters or daily need, those who are in crisis can reach out for the helping hand that Catholic Charities offers through its many programs and services.