YOUR ADVOCACY IS NEEDED!

Find out how to get involved as Catholic Charities faces funding cuts

Across the 14 counties that encompass the Diocese of Albany, Catholic Charities works with persons with disabilities, pregnant and parenting teens, people who are un-housed or under-housed, people with substance use disorder, people who are hungry, people who are older, small children, kids who go to summer camp to name just some of the work. (Photo provided)

As a Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, I count it a great privilege to serve as CEO in the ministry of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Albany. As I have traveled around our 14 counties, I am in awe of the incredible work provided by our team to serve, assist and guide in kind and loving ways. We have a staff of nearly 700 throughout these counties and have literally thousands of volunteers who serve together to fulfill the mission. 

We work with persons with disabilities, pregnant and parenting teens, people who are un-housed or under-housed, people with substance use disorder, people who are hungry, people who are older, small children, kids who go to summer camp to name just some of the work. We provide these services through the generosity of our donors, but in large part, through contracts with federal, state, county and local governments. Our mission states, “with a special emphasis on the economically poor and vulnerable,” which means that many people we serve receive food stamps (SNAP) and/or Medicaid, WIC (Women Infants and Children) for pregnant women and parents of small children.

These programs, WIC, SNAP and Medicaid (among others) have been slated for significant cuts in the House and Senate budgets being discussed in Washington. Why should that matter to you? “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.” (1 Cor 12:26)  We are all connected and so if more people do not have a place to live, then we all deal with more people on the street. If people are hungry, our food pantries have higher demands and perhaps our stores have higher theft. When someone is sick and is unable to get medical treatment, if it is communicable, then we can get it. You get the point. And you probably know someone for whom this will be a hardship.

A number of programs presently provided by Catholic Charities receive funds directly from the federal government or federal funds coming through the state. We have been contacting our elected officials to express our concern for the people we serve if these cuts become realities. We are also working with Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) which is a member organization consisting of the Catholic Charities organizations in every diocese in the country — 168 strong to speak together on the impacts of the proposed cuts.

Your advocacy is definitely needed right now — 5calls.org is a simple way to get phone scripts and phone numbers for your representatives. Your generous gifts are needed now more than ever. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25 that it is incumbent upon us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner.

God Bless you!