The 2016 Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland Annual Appeal kicked off February 5 with a press conference at Matt Talbot for Men at Parmadale, a residential and intensive outpatient treatment center for men struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. The program is one of many health and human services initiatives throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland that is supported by Catholic Charities.
Patrick Gareau, Catholic Charities president and CEO, said this year?s appeal goal is $11.5 million. This is the third consecutive year the goal has been increased. He said additional funds are needed due to rising needs in the community and reduction of other funding sources.
?Last year we raised $12 million and exceeded our goal by $825,000, thanks to the generosity of 50,577 donors,? Gareau said, adding that the 2015 appeal generated the most dollars pledged in recent history. Catholic Charities provides health and human services to the elderly and infirmed, those who are hungry and homeless, children and families at risk, and children and adults with disabilities.
?Love Powers our Mission, the theme for this year?s annual appeal, expresses our willingness to care for all people who are poor and marginalized, regardless of their race, religion or disability,? said Bishop Richard Lennon in a prepared statement. ?We are grateful to our faithful donors who are very caring to people in need, and who generously share their blessings with others. For over 100 years in the Diocese of Cleveland, Catholic Charities has been the hands and feet of Jesus by reaching out to people who need our help and by upholding the dignity of every individual.?
Father Walt Jenne, pastor of St. Basil the Great Parish and a former head of Catholic Charities, said the appeal provides resources to help those in need throughout the diocese. ?There are people in need in all areas, even Brecksville, where my parish is. They come in all shapes, forms sizes, ages and demographics,? he added.
According to Father Jenne, Catholic Charities has three essential elements: people in need, the appeal itself and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the people and times. The appeal?s success is based on ?the astounding generosity of people and their willingness to follow through on their commitment,? he said.
Gareau credited Father Jenne with bringing the 104-year-old Catholic Charities program into the modern day during his time at the helm, as well as helping mold it into the comprehensive network of services available now, including Matt Talbot.
Maureen Dee, executive director of treatment, prevention and recovery services for Catholic Charities, said the 60-year-old Matt Talbot program was founded by Father Berard Scarborough, OFM to meet a need at the Cleveland Workhouse by offering services to older, chronic alcoholics considered to have little hope for recovery. As the program expanded, Father Scarborough named it after the Venerable Matt Talbot, an alcoholic in Ireland who, in 1884 at age 28, made a pledge to God that he would stop drinking. He devoted his life to the Church, attending daily Mass and helping the poor.
The local Matt Talbot program relocated to Parmadale recently in order to meet the increasing treatment needs associated with the heroin epidemic in Northeast Ohio. Matt Talbot for Women, which offers a comparable treatment program for women, opened in 1999 and plans to open its second residential treatment center in Lakewood soon.
Since its founding in 1965, Matt Talbot programs have grown from 27 beds to a total of 95 beds for men and women recovering from alcohol and other drug addiction and those with dual diagnoses.
A short video highlighted some additional Catholic Charities programs, including services for the elderly and infirmed, support for families of the incarcerated and emergency food programs.
?We don?t check people?s faith, we check their needs,? Gareau said, adding that money raised through the appeal will be used to support Catholic Charities programs within the Diocese of Cleveland.
The 2016 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal begins in all parishes of the diocese the weekend of Feb. 6-7 and will continue through the end of the year. Donations also can be made securely online at catholiccommunity.org/2016Appeal, or by calling 216-696-6525, Ext. 1049.
Catholic Charities fast facts
? Catholic Charities is beginning its 104th year of service in the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland.
? Catholic Charities follows Christ?s teachings by serving almost 400,000 people each year in Northeast Ohio with a network of 150 health and human services programs available to members of all parishes in the diocese and people of all faiths.
? Catholic Charities offers assistance in four general categories: children and families; elderly and chronically ill; hungry and homeless and persons with disabilities.
? Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is one of the largest diocesan systems of social services in the country and 86 cents of every dollar raised goes to local programs and services.
? Visit ccdocle.org or catholiccommunity.org/2016Appeal for more information.
