Annual Appeal
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Feed the Hungry
Problem – Our state has approximately 3,944 unsheltered individuals who are food insecure.
Solution – Catholic Charities hands out food to our local community on a daily basis. Monday through Friday, Catholic Charities serves women in our Sanctuary Development Centers breakfast and lunch in Norman and Oklahoma City. The cost is minimal to feed these precious few. For $3.00 per day we can feed up to 40 women.
Give Drink to the Thirsty
Problem - Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ do not have access to clean water and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity.
Solution – Your gifts provide a water station for our clients entering our lobby where they can fill up their own canisters as well as bottled water to around 40 people per day. This saves our environment from too many plastic materials being handed out to the tune of around 200 bottles per month.
Shelter the Homeless
Problem - There are many circumstances that could lead to someone becoming a person without a home.
Solution – Our goal is not to just find housing but to take the person out of their current situation and make their lives better. By donating to Catholic Charities, your gifts allow us to reach those without homes, affirming their worth and helping them seek peace in the face of many challenges including deposits, utility fees, appliances, furniture and so much more.
Visit the Sick
Problem - Those who are sick are often forgotten or avoided. In spite of their illness, these individuals still have much to offer to those who take the time to visit and comfort them.
Solution – SSM Health (St. Anthony Hospital) and Oklahoma County Social Services Department refer newly discharged clients who need a place to recuperate to the center. Each client is provided a furnished private room, with access to laundry facilities, a computer lab, recreation areas, and dining facilities. Clients are provided three meals per day and other incidental necessities. Services include assistance and education in navigating through clients’ health needs and medical appointments, securing necessary documentation, and signing up for qualifying services such housing assistance, health insurance, disability benefits, etc. Services are provided by a case manager and housing navigator from Catholic Charities and the patient advocate at Cardinal Community House. Beginning in March of 2021, the program started with only 5 beds and now has 17 available beds.
Catholic Charities housing navigators and case management services assists clients in getting birth certificates, social security cards, clothing, hygiene needs, and begin the process of applying for housing. Many clients are assisted in applying for Medicaid and referrals to other mental health services. Post discharge from the Swan Respite Program, clients can choose to remain engaged in case management services to work towards long term self-sufficiency.
Visit the Prisoners
Problem - People in prison are still people, made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the Word of God and find the Truth of the message of Christ.
Solution – We have several members of staff and church leaders who visit the prisoners and take them gifts and send well wishes from the community.
Catholic Charities also auctions off artwork at Green Tie Gala produced by inmates who create beautiful art during their time in prison.
Many of our walk-in clients are individuals with prior justice system involvement, persons with mental health needs or veterans. We serve them as we do anyone who enters our doors, without judgement and treated with respect and care.
Bury the Dead
Problem - Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times. Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, which is always a gift from God, and comfort to those who mourn.
Solution – Through our giving page you can send a memorial gift to someone who you have known who has passed and we will make sure we send the family a list of all who donated to our organization on behalf of the deceased individual.
Catholic Charities has also gifted burial plots for those who did not have the financial means to bury their loved ones due to financial hardship.
We have also hosted memorial services in our chapel and at Sanctuary Women’s Development Centers for those who have lost a loved one and are a current client.
Give Alms To The Poor
Problem – Financial hardship is the number one reason people come in the doors of Catholic Charities.
Solution – You can of course give money to Catholic Charities and donate food to our organization, but you can also give items such as; clothing, cars, furniture, household items and used appliances to us that are then handed out to families in need. Because of your donations, we have been able to donate cars, assist in rebuilding homes for people who have been affected by a natural disaster and provided low-cost counseling to those who do not have insurance to cover counseling services.