Catholic Charities is pleased to announce that our annual Come and See Dinner will take place on Monday, October 30th at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg. Our guest speaker will Cardinal F. Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The evening includes a reception, silent and chance auctions, buffet dinner,… Read More
The 13th annual Shelter Shuffle 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, September 23rd. Click the link below for more information including online registration and an event brochure. Shelter Shuffle 2017 Info
The 15th Annual Interfaith Shelter Golf Classic will take place on Monday, May 15th at Blue Ridge Country Club in Harrisburg. Registration starts at 11:00 a.m. with golf beginning at 12:30 p.m. The day includes a registration gift, a boxed lunch, practice area and putting green, 18 holes of golf (scramble format) with cart, and… Read More
The Catholic Charities “Soup, Salad, and Sermon” Lenten Lunch will take place on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the Cardinal Keeler Center (4800 Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg). This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the ministry provided by Catholic Charities. The event includes remarks from Bishop Ronald Gainer as… Read More
Our agency was recently featured in Charities USA, the official magazine of Catholic Charities USA. Follow the link below and check out our story on pages 36-37. Charities Magazine Fall 2016
The St. Elizabeth Guild in support of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg is hosting the 5th Annual “Souper Bowl Sunday” Soup Sale on the weekend of February 4-5, 2017. Homemade soups will be sold after Masses at the following churches: Good Shepherd, Camp Hill Holy Name of Jesus, Harrisburg Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mechanicsburg Saint Joan of Arc, Hershey Saint… Read More
Looking for something unique? Our English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is selling 2017 calendars that feature some of our client families. Click the flier below for more information.
Did you know that November is National Adoption Month? Here at Catholic Charities, our Adoption and Specialized Foster Care Programs are designed to match loving families with children in need of a loving home. Our program provides the opportunity for children to grow and thrive in the security of family’s love. Here are two of… Read More
Thank you all who supported Catholic Charities as part of the 2016 Extraordinary Give on November 18th. We are most thankful to everyone who made a donation to our agency as part of this community fundraising event. Because of your generosity, we were able raise almost $3,000 for our programs in Lancaster County. Thank you… Read More
Donations used to Provide Help and Create Hope for needy individuals and families in south central Pennsylvania. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Occurring this year on November… Read More
Imagine your dream student - someone who is bright, inquisitive, kind to others, and comes to class eager to learn. Well, that is Koffi. He first came to my ESL class in May of 2014. He had only been in the United States for about 6 months at that time.
- ESL Instructor
For many people, those first 6 months can be overwhelming and hectic, but Koffi’s spirit is indomitable. He came to class every night ready to learn and in a short time he found a job. Even after a long day of working hard, Koffi would come into class with a smile on his face. He greeted his fellow students with a smile and was ready to learn.
After being in the country for a little over a year, Koffi decided he would like to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). He took the initiative and researched his options before deciding on the program at HACC.
Koffi continued with his English studies right up to the time his CNA class started at HACC. I was sorry to see him leave, but so happy for him.
In June of this year Koffi graduated from the CNA Program at HACC. We are all so proud of Koffi. He has been such a positive influence on all of us, staff and students alike. It is impossible to look at Koffi’s smiling face and not want to smile right back, he is that full of kindness and hope. I am so glad he was my student and I feel certain that he will do even more amazing things in the future.
Tiffany starts her story by openly stating that the first 39 years of her life were a waste. She spent all of her time drinking, which was her way of coping with the many let downs in her life.
- anonymous
Fearing for her life, a friend convinced Tiffany to check herself into a 30-day detox program. Upon completion she entered the Evergreen House program. While this was not her first choice, Tiffany ended up residing at Evergreen House for seven and one-half months.
Tiffany credits Evergreen’s staff and their patience with her eventual success in the program. Evergreen’s staff understood what she was going through and eventually became like her family. The Evergreen House program provided the structure and support she needed to maintain her sobriety.
Tiffany credits Evergreen House for a second chance at life and she is determined to have a positive impact on others.
A 19 year old woman left an abusive relationship with the infant’s birth father and was interested in making an adoption plan for her 9 week old baby. She was unemployed, close to being homeless, did not have a car or driver’s license and she felt that her daughter deserved two parents who were ready and equipped financially and emotionally for parenthood. Emma’s birth mother was placing Emma’s needs before her own feelings. But she had bonded with Emma and knew it would be extremely difficult.
- Anonymous
Emma’s birth father was informed of the adoption plan and initially opposed it. But he realized that adoption was the best plan for their infant. Catholic Charities worked with the birth parents to choose the adoptive family.
Catholic Charities was able to provide grief counseling to Emma’s birth mother upon finalization of the adoption. As part of the openness agreement, the birth parents receive pictures and letters four times a year.
A single father and his two pre-teen daughters resided at the Interfaith Shelter after separating from his wife and gaining custody of his daughters. Unfortunately, he lost his job and could not afford his housing expenses.
- Anonymous
The family relocated to the Steelton-Highspire to be closer to extended relatives, in the hopes of obtaining employment. Due to a lease violation, they were only allowed to stay for a limited time frame.
With no other options they sought shelter at Interfaith. This father worked diligently to seek employment and accepted a position at a local gas station making minimum wage so that they could save for housing. The family was accepted in the Brethren Housing Association’s Fast Track Program, which provides temporary rental assistance and housing to homeless families who demonstrate self-sufficiency and stable income.
After leaving the shelter, he found permanent employment at a casino in the Pocono’s.
© Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Harrisburg.