Ever faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sent forth by the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of
Allentown…

The Mission of Catholic Charities is to provide compassionate human services with respect for the sanctity of all human life.

· To support and promote respect for human life and the primacy of the family in all programs and services.

· To maintain a Catholic identity, especially with respect to Catholic teachings and values, while serving all persons regardless of faith in a spirit of hope and love. Provide staff regular opportunities to become aware of Catholic Social teachings and values.

· To empower the poor, the most vulnerable, and the disadvantaged through a variety of quality therapeutic, supportive and educational services.

· To provide services and advocacy for the older adult in order to enhance their quality of life, including their spiritual well being.

· To respond in a culturally aware and sensitive manner to the changing populations in the Diocese of Allentown.

· To strengthen a partnership of mutual support with parishes, Catholic schools, Catholic Health Care Ministries and Diocesan Secretariats to enhance and extend the agency’s ability to serve.

· To cooperate and collaborate with community agencies, groups and organizations, and other faith communities in ways which are consistent with our mission and values.

Description:
Providing Help, Creating Hope

In July 2006 the three Special Learning Centers and the Aquinas program transferred to the Secretariat for Catholic Education. The office of Ministry with Persons with Disabilities was transferred to the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization.

Older Adults
Assistance with graceful aging
· Case management/Information & Referral
· Intake and Assessment
· Benefits Check-up
· Compassionate listening
· Caregiver Support

Adult Day Care Services - Orwigsburg
Socialization for Older Individuals
· Socialization/Supportive services and nutritious meals
· Assistance with daily living skills
· Compassionate listening and caregiver support

Parish Outreach
Faith in Action
· Lay leadership development
· Support of parish volunteers
· Prime Time Clubs

Refugee & Immigration Services
Welcoming the Stranger
· Immigration assistance for legalization of status and reuniting families
· Refugee Resettlement/Acculturation/Employment assistance/ Parish-Church Sponsorships
· Citizenship and English Language Training Classes
Counseling Services
Offering Healing & Hope
· Individual/Marital/Family Counseling
· Therapeutic Supervised Visitation
· School Crisis Intervention

Adoption Services
Building & Celebrating Families
· Creating permanent families for children
· Infant/International/Special Needs & Sibling Groups
· Adoptive Parent Training, Family Home Studies
· Post-adoption support and therapy
· Search Services

Foster/Kinship Care Services
Families Nurturing Children
· Providing temporary homes & services for children placed in foster care by the Court
· Pre-service training, preparation, family profiles and on-going support for foster parents
· Foster/Adopt programs

Pregnancy Support Services
Pregnancy Support
· Provides pregnancy-related counseling
· Parenting education and support
· Adoption Planning
· Slate Belt Pregnancy Support Services 24-hour hot line
Case Management and General Services
· Case Management for individuals and families to establish and sustain Self Sufficiency
· Information and Referral to available social services
· Assist welfare clients with rights and responsibilities
· Housing assistance
· Hope VI — Social Services for Allentown Housing Authority Residents
· Ecumenical Kitchen (Allentown) serves hot meals.
· Kennedy House food pantry (Reading)and food pantry at each office.

History:
Prior to the establishment of the Diocese of Allentown, the social services for this part of the Archdiocese were conducted from the Philadelphia Catholic Children’s Bureau (now Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia).

1941--A Catholic Children’s Bureau office was established in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County under the auspice of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to serve three Counties.
1953—Sacred Heart Home for Children, an Expectant Mothers Program and Adoption Program began in Lehigh and Northampton Counties. A Cenacle for Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity was established in Reading with sisters providing social services.
1954—Mercy Special Learning Center was founded in Allentown.
1955—St. Joseph Center for Special Learning was founded in Pottsville.
1961—The Diocese of Allentown was established and Catholic Social Agency was incorporated.
1975—After the fall of Saigon, a reception and placement program was established for Vietnamese refugees.
1982—John Paul II Center for Special Learning was founded in Reading. The Ecumenical Kitchen opened in Allentown.
1985-Slate Belt Pregnancy Crisis Center was founded.
1988—The Board of Directors was established with Msgr. Joseph E. Kurtz (now Bishop of Knoxville, TN) as first President.
1994—Catholic Social Agency became an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption Network.
1998—With the appointment of Bishop Edward P. Cullen as the third Bishop of Allentown, a secretariat structure was established in the Diocese of Allentown.
1999—Msgr. Walter T. Schaeffer was appointed President of the Board of Directors.
2000—The Aquinas Program for Children with Learning Disabilities was founded. The Parish Outreach Program was created.
2003—Holy Family Adult Day Care was transferred from Holy Family Manor to Catholic Social Agency.
2004--Services for Older Adults were developed.
2005—Hope VI Housing Program started in Allentown.
Accreditation received through the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services.
Catholic Social Agency became Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown. 36,232 individuals were served this year.
2006—Special Learning Centers were transferred to the Secretariat for Catholic Education; Ministry for Persons with Disabilities was transferred to the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization.

Contact person: Jeannine Boyer, (610) 376-7144, (email)
Office fax number: (610) 376-7145

Address:

400 Washington Street, Suite 100 Reading, PA 19601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.allentowndiocese.org/administration/services.html

Miscellaneous Information

Youth Volunteer Opportunities
	Yes