January is National Poverty Awareness Month. Here’s how Catholic Charities Boston is Making a Difference  

“Catholic Charities was put in my life at the right time.”   

 A longtime school secretary, Doris had never needed financial assistance, until her husband of 40 years suddenly passed away in 2019. Money quickly became tight, a challenge worsened by the pandemic and rapid rise in inflation.  

As full-time guardian of her two grandsons, Doris feared she couldn’t provide without her husband’s income. Catholic Charities Merrimack Valley in Lowell helped with rent and utility bills, giving her hope.

“We are living check to check, and it’s still very hard honestly,” said Doris. “But because of Catholic Charities, I know we’ll be okay. They don’t forget about you.” 

Life’s unexpected challenges can quickly push families to the brink of financial instability. Catholic Charities Boston provides critical support to individuals facing such hardships, offering hope and practical assistance across Eastern Massachusetts.

A Safety Net When Life Unravels 

Omar is one of the 62,461 individuals who received assistance with groceries from one of Catholic Charities’ four food pantries across Eastern Massachusetts in 2024. Having worked for almost 20 years in manufacturing warehouses, Omar always had a steady income that allowed him to own his house in his hometown of Lowell and never expected to find himself struggling to get food on the table However, when Omar tore both his meniscus and a ligament on the job in 2022, he was left unemployed and unable to pay his mortgage. Soon, everyday bills and groceries became a burden, too. 

“After my injury, I started going to Catholic Charities food pantry,” said Omar. “I don’t go every week but it’s enough to help me get by. The staff there have been incredible.” 

Catholic Charities Boston’s food assistance staff also provide referrals to clients like Omar to other resources and help those in need apply for the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These services fall under the agency’s Basic Needs department, one of four core service areas. Emergency rental, fuel, and utilities assistance falls under the umbrella of basic needs, providing a safety-net to eligible individuals experiencing financial hardship, such as David, who reached out after chronic back pain from degenerative disc disease left him without a job. Staff were able to work with David to secure rental assistance, allowing him to stay in his apartment while he recovered from surgery. 

“When you’re struggling month to month, getting a month’s rent paid for is a huge relief,” he said. 

A Place to Call Home When There’s Nowhere to Go 

Eva and her children were forced to leave their Boston apartment when their building became infested with rats and mold. They entered the state’s emergency shelter system and were placed in Catholic Charities Nazareth Family Shelter. 

Last year, 300 individuals found emergency housing at one of Catholic Charities Boston’s five shelters, with each operating at full capacity for most of the year. All shelters are staffed 24/7 with qualified, trained workers to help ensure safety, as well as case managers who assess the needs of residents and help them move toward self-sufficiency and secure permanent housing. 

“I wasn’t happy at first. Nobody wants to go to a shelter,” said Eva. “But my kids and I are very appreciative.”  

‘My Son is So Happy’  

Maria has two children enrolled at the Yawkey Child Care Center, which allowed her to return to work as a nurse and help support her family, but she also received assistance with purchasing gifts from the agency around the holidays, as the cost of living continues to place a financial burden on families.  

 “It was amazing,” she said. “Catholic Charities is just so giving.” 

How to Help 

Recent changes in policy is creating uncertainty about what will happen next in terms of the critical funding we receive to provide a safety net to serve the most vulnerable among us—young children and the elderly, single mothers in need of childcare, and people struggling to overcome poverty and support their families. From supporting a family living in shelters through Amazon Wishlist, to making a planned gift, or organizing a food drive, every act of kindness and compassion makes a difference. Learn more by visiting our Ways to Give page here.