Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is one of the most significant health and human service providers in the region, assisting more than 400,000 people in need annually throughout the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
In order to continue its assistance to the most vulnerable, the Catholic Charities 2022 Annual Appeal will launch this weekend – Feb. 19-20 – in parishes across the diocese. More than $14.5 million was raised in 2021, thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors, but the need remains great.
“Be the Light” is the theme for this year’s campaign.
“As Christians, we must be generous. That is the Lord’s call to us, and I would suggest that Catholic Charities is the best way we can be generous with the blessings the Lord has given to us,” said Bishop Edward Malesic. “The 2022 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal presents a special opportunity to help people who are suffering, especially in light of the pandemic. Thank you to the faithful who generously support the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. This is an act of mercy that allows us to look beyond ourselves and seek the good of another.”
Catholic Charities’ mission for more than a century has been to provide help, create hope and serve people of every race and religious throughout the diocese. This year, following the theme of “Be the Light,” donors can make a difference by being the inspiration and impacting their neighbors; they can be the blessing by helping the hungry and homeless and they can be the love by making a difference and supporting older adult services.
The Hispanic Services Office offers education regarding drug and alcohol prevention at no cost for children and youth at Cleveland schools, community organizations and through the offices at Covenant Center on Cleveland’s West Side. Non-intensive outpatient drug and alcohol treatment services for Hispanic youth is available, in addition to recreational and socialization activities for older Hispanic adults. In Lake County, the Hispanic Outreach program serves individuals, families and groups who are experiencing a variety of stressors adjusting to life in their communities.
Emergency Assistance Services offers sites and programs in collaboration with local organizations, public and private agencies and religious institutions to ensure that the basic needs of the most vulnerable are met. Food, shelter and clothing is offered for those in need in Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne counties. Catholic Charities has 28 food banks and 17 hot meal programs across Northeast Ohio that served nearly 274,000 people last year.
Older adult services include adult day programs and senior case management, as well as home-delivered meal services. The programs serve all people, regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, disability or ability to pay.
Donors can make a secure, online donation by clicking here, or Text to Give by texting CCHOPE to 41444.
Click here for more information on the appeal and click here for details on Catholic Charities and its programs.
The Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation, which encourages faithful philanthropy to support the mission of the diocese to provide for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of people throughout Northeast Ohio. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has raised more than $490 million to support Catholic Charities, Catholic education, priestly formation and other ministries in the diocese.