Success Stories

Catholic Charities Earns CARF Accreditation: A Milestone in Service Excellence

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is proud to announce that we have officially received accreditation from CARF® International—a globally recognized, independent nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.

This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care across all of our programs. CARF accreditation is more than a credential—it’s a powerful endorsement of our dedication to service excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio has been accredited for a period of three years for its Mental Health program and Administrative services. After having been accredited by another independent accreditor in previous years, this is the first accreditation that CARF International has awarded to our organization.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows our substantial conformance to CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has gone through a rigorous peer review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.

CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) evaluates organizations against internationally recognized standards. The accreditation process involves a comprehensive review of our policies, procedures, and service delivery to ensure we are meeting the highest benchmarks in the field.

During the recent review, CARF International affirmed what so many clients already know: 

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio fosters an inviting and inclusive culture.

One client described the experience this way:

“It’s not like a white-walled doctor’s office. It feels like a warm hug — and even when I don’t want to come, I do.”

For our clients, this means they can trust that Catholic Charities is not only meeting—but exceeding—industry standards in care, compassion, and impact. For our staff and volunteers, it’s a moment of pride and a reaffirmation of the mission that drives us every day.

We are deeply grateful to our team, partners, and supporters who helped make this milestone possible. Together, we continue to build a stronger, more compassionate community—rooted in dignity, service, and empowerment.

CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.

Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.

Nearly 60 Years of Service: Catholic Charities’ AmeriCorps Seniors Program Delivers Results

Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio has operated two effective and cost-efficient AmeriCorps Seniors programs for nearly 60 years. The Foster Grandparents Program places older, low-income adult volunteers in schools and early childhood centers to serve children needing extra help. The Senior Companions Program likewise places volunteers into community service by helping other low-income, older adults remain independent in their homes and assisting with daily activities, respite and transportation.

In 2024 alone, 148 older adults received in-home support from Senior Companions, helping them maintain independence and dignity; 308 children benefitted from the steady presence and mentorship of Foster Grandparents in local classrooms. Thanks to their efforts, 91% of seniors showed improvements in independent living, and 89% of students demonstrated academic growth.

These numbers tell a powerful story—but the real impact lies in the lives touched and the bonds formed. Whether it’s offering a helping hand at home or patient guidance in the classroom, our AmeriCorps Seniors are building a more connected, compassionate community.

Robin Jones, a dedicated AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent with Catholic Charities, has become a cherished presence in the halls of Evanston Academy Elementary School. First graders eagerly greet her each day, calling her “grandma” with affection and excitement as she enters the classroom. She enjoys seeing the children she mentors grow academically every day.

Reflecting on her experience with the program Robin shares, “There were students when I first came—maybe their reading level was low—but by the end of the year, they had reached higher goals than I had ever anticipated. I can’t emphasize how important this program is, because it’s needed. It is needed. I can say that over and over again.”

Robin says the news of the program’s probable closure has taken a mental and physical toll, and students will lose out on valuable resources.

Mental Health Services: Support Beyond the Therapy Room

When Isabella* walked through the doors of Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Services, she was carrying more than any teenager should. Living with foster parents and raising a child while attending high school, Isabella faced a complex set of challenges. She needed more than just therapy— she needed a lifeline.

Mental Health Therapist Deliana Peralta Fuentes offered that lifeline with compassion and creativity. Her approach goes beyond traditional counseling. “I approach therapy through a social work lens. I’m not a case manager, but I try to be there in all aspects, not just in the psychotherapy piece,” Deliana says. “I make sure that what we’re learning in therapy is connected to resources outside of the therapy room.”

From day one, Deliana provided counseling tailored to Isabella’s needs—but she didn’t stop there. She helped Isabella access food pantries, apply for Medicaid, and obtain basic parenting necessities like a crib and baby clothes. She also connected her to parenting classes, advocacy programs, and a wide variety of wraparound services through Catholic Charities.

Isabella’s story is a powerful reminder that mental health care doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through relationships, resources, and the support of a caring community. Isabella not only received therapeutic guidance— she was empowered to thrive.

This past spring, Isabella proudly graduated from high school. With continued support from Catholic Charities and friends like you, she is now preparing to attend college and further her education. She’s also spending more quality time with her family, connecting with supportive services, and planning to live independently—milestones that reflect her growth, resilience, and readiness for the next chapter.

She will continue receiving mental health services as she navigates this important life transition, ensuring that her foundation remains strong.

Thank you for investing in the future of our community’s youth. Your support goes far beyond today—it creates ripple effects that last for generations.

*Name changed for privacy.

Family Development Services Expands to Impact More Children and Families

Experts who have worked in child development for decades are seeing a worrisome trend: Young children’s social skills are lagging. Classrooms that used to have one disruptive child now have three to five.

“This is just a different world for childcare centers and schools,” says Pam Mortensen, Family Development Services Director. “We’re prepared to continue to dig in and support the people caring for these kids.”

A grant from The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) has allowed Catholic Charities to expand its services from Butler County to Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren. With the grant, Pam’s team was able to hire two more consultants who will work with 4C for Children to build their capacity to train childcare providers on early childhood mental health and social emotional learning (SEL).

Pam has long wanted to expand her team’s services to help more childcare providers and, ultimately, more children and families. She was honored that DCY reached out to her because of Catholic Charities’ strong reputation and history of excellent outcomes.

She is especially passionate about promoting SEL with young children. Mindfulness and calming activities help children build empathy for others, manage their emotions, and grow into caring, compassionate people.

“I think of it as building friendship skills,” she says. “It’s about stopping and paying attention to the other human being who’s in front of you. If young children don’t develop these skills, they become school-aged children who struggle with friendships.”

Pam hopes this expansion is only the first step into greater growth for Catholic Charities’ early childhood mental health and parenting programs. Last year, the team added two parenting classes in Spanish, and the plan in 2025 calls for three six-week programs.

Supporters like you help make it possible for Catholic Charities to push past boundaries and reach more children and families with lifechanging programs. Thank you!

This Volunteer’s Dual Role Is One for the Books

Renee Garrison is one of a kind. She is the only person who volunteers as both an AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent and a Senior Companion.

Catholic Charities’ Foster Grandparents program places older adult volunteers in schools and early childhood centers to serve children needing extra help. Our Senior Companion program serves seniors in independent living housing, veterans, developmentally disabled adults, as well as providing respite for caregivers in the community with hopes of the client remaining independent in their homes.

“She just truly wants to help others. For her, it’s all about the impact she can make and the help she can provide,” says Aaron Glauberman, Senior and Caregiver Support Services Director. “She’s always willing to help, always willing to be there for others.”

Renee, 68, started volunteering as a Foster Grandparent in 2017. Though she lives in Clermont County, she had no hesitation in driving all the way across Cincinnati to Lockland to help at the school. She didn’t mind the distance as long as she got to work with students.

“I love kids, and I always wanted to be a schoolteacher,” Renee says. “This was a way to work with kids and give back. I love meeting and being around the kids. I learn something new from them every day.”

Today, Renee volunteers in the library at Immaculate Heart of Mary School on Beechmont Avenue, much closer to her home. She reads to the students, helps them find books that will interest them, and instills in the children a lifelong love of reading and learning. She’s also helped the school update its collection of books to ensure children can always find something they want to read.

“If you don’t read, you lose,” Renee says. “Reading gives you knowledge and understanding. You can’t go through life without it.”

As a child, Renee didn’t have access to books in her home. That inspired her to do something special during the pandemic. Knowing many children wouldn’t have anything to read at home while schools were closed, Renee donated about 2,500 books to Catholic Charities to be distributed to children and families in need.

Renee has made a huge difference in the lives of local children, and her impact hasn’t stopped there. Last year, she began volunteering as a Senior Companion, as well.

She says being around other seniors and meeting new people exposes her to new things and helps keep her active and social. She loves being on the go with her client and appreciates learning all the quick back ways to get around town. The good conversation can also be therapeutic, Renee says.

Both programs — Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions — enrich Renee’s life in different and meaningful ways.

“They get me out of the house so I’m not just sitting,” she says. “It’s a give-and-take. I give, but I also get so much in return.”

New Services Help Meet Our Community’s Growing Mental Health Needs

When someone is dealing with a mental health issue, every second counts. That’s why Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Services team is developing innovative new solutions to provide a wider range of care to more people, at a time when waitlists are only growing longer.

With support from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Millstone Fund, Catholic Charities recently hired a new Mental Health Specialist focused on therapeutic behavioral services, behavioral coaching, and case management.

Onexi Alvarado, a Venezuelan native who earned her bachelor’s in psychology in Mexico, works primarily with Spanish speaking clients to help them “make some of the changes they want to make for themselves,” says Laura Hershberger, Mental Health Services Director.

That includes teaching mindfulness and stress-tolerance skills to help people manage emotions in the moment. Onexi’s approach is goal-focused to support long-term behavioral change.

Onexi is also piloting an anger management course made possible by a grant from the Community Leaders Institute.

The new services allow Catholic Charities to take a more comprehensive approach to providing care that meets the different levels of need within the community. For people who don’t need therapy or who are on a therapist’s waitlist, behavioral services give them practical tools they can use to live better and foster healthy relationships. For those who are already in therapy, behavioral coaching complements that work.

In one case, a client came to Catholic Charities struggling with anxiety and anger. The therapist who assessed the client didn’t have availability, but Onexi was able to step in in the meantime. She helped the client with deep breathing, noticing and naming their anger, identifying triggers, and understanding the impact of alcohol use. Once the therapist’s schedule opened up, the client was in a better position to focus on processing the past traumas that had led to the emotional and behavioral issues they had been experiencing.

“Behavior coaching is helping people make change; therapy helps people understand why things are going on,” Laura says. “It works well together.”

As our community’s needs grow and change, Mental Health Services is committed to providing new opportunities for neighbors to strengthen their mental and emotional health. Your support helps ensure every individual and family has what they need to thrive.

The Community Comes Together in Service

A community is defined by how it cares for its most vulnerable people, and Greater Cincinnati is proving itself to be a place of great compassion and generosity.

In recent months, a number of local parishes, faith communities, and schools have partnered with Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio to reach out to our neighbors in need. Here are a few highlights:

Good Shepherd Parish in Montgomery continued its annual tradition of collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves that are critically needed — and deeply appreciated — by newcomers to our area. The donation drive in January 2025 yielded 882 coats that benefited Catholic Charities’ clients. This winter, generous parishioners started donating even earlier, which allowed us to distribute cozy winter clothing to Su Casa and Refugee Resettlement clients in the office and to pantry participants during a Food for All pantry distribution at St. Joseph Church in the West End. “When I went to pick them up in December, I had so many coats, I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to fit all the bags in the vans,” says Mary Anne Bressler, Parish & Community Engagement Coordinator. What a wonderful “problem” to have!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) has also continued its longtime friendship with Catholic Charities. In addition to church members consistently volunteering at Food for All pantries, the LDS church invited Catholic Charities to be part of a ministry fair during its service day in November in Lakeside Park, Ky. A number of volunteers are fluent in a second language, and several of them expressed interest in volunteering with our refugee and immigrant communities. Participants regularly offered thanks for the work that Catholic Charities does and for the chance to partner with us. “There’s just such a warm relationship,” Mary Anne says. “They’re steadfast supporters of the work that we do. It’s really phenomenal.”

St. Ursula Academy is also a steadfast supporter of Catholic Charities. In recent years, students have participated in various volunteer activities for Su Casa. “They’ve been very interested and supportive,” Mary Anne says. Last fall, students from two Spanish classes visited Su Casa to learn more about the ways in which we serve the Spanishspeaking community and to pack hygiene bags for a health fair. In January, 2025, a group of students used T-shirts to make special tote bags for our food pantries.

Moeller High School continues its support of Catholic Charities. On February 10, four students volunteered as part of the school’s Magnified Giving program. In two hours, the young men sorted and boxed up 15 large bags of coats, hats, gloves and scarfs. These will be distributed to the refugee and immigrant families that we serve in our community. “I really appreciate these young men coming in on a day off from school to assist us here at Catholic Charities,” Mary Anne says.

Service Day Introduces St. Ursula Students to Another Side of Life

St. Ursula Academy students recently had the chance to put their blossoming Spanish-speaking skills to use while giving back to Cincinnati’s Hispanic and Latino community.

The students volunteered at Su Casa Hispanic Center on Aug. 28, assembling 220 kits filled with hygiene items and cleaning products for the Fall Health Fair. Sara Obando, Health Promotion Supervisor, welcomed the students and gave them an overview of Su Casa’s services — all in Spanish.

“They did great in their Spanish. They are very smart!” says Sara, who is originally from Peru. “It was wonderful talking to these young ladies. I saw on their faces that they felt very happy practicing the language they are learning.”

Their time at Catholic Charities also helped the students learn more about parts of the community they might not normally see. Sara hopes experiences that expose young people to this larger reality will empower them to develop empathy and understanding for people whose daily lives look very different from their own.

“For me, it’s very important that they learn about immigration and people in need coming to Cincinnati and all the services Su Casa offers to support this community,” Sara says.

The St. Ursula students expressed a desire to continue helping however they can. Mary Anne Bressler, Parish & Community Engagement Coordinator, is always looking to create more ways to engage young people, whether on-site at Catholic Charities or through activities students can organize and participate in independently, like clothing or school supply drives.

“I’m always excited when schools reach out,” Mary Anne says. “We want to make it as easy as possible for younger people to support our mission. The more we see them, the more of an imprint we make on the students.”

With Your Help, She Knows Her Worth and Has Found Her Voice

Nothing is more gratifying than hearing a Mental Health Services client proudly say, “I am happy with who I am today.”

Those were Adriana’s* words after she successfully completed three years of treatment that empowered her to stand up for her rights, improve her quality of life, and even manage her own business.

Adriana first came to Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio after she was wrongfully terminated from her job. She was depressed, anxious, and worried about providing for her family.

Working with Bilingual Mental Health Therapist Rosa Reyes-Santana, Adriana engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques that helped her transform her negative thought patterns and beliefs. She also learned to practice better self-care, manage her anxiety, and identify her strengths and skills.

Over time, Adriana has become comfortable speaking up for herself,
especially when she feels her rights or the rights of others have been violated. She has put herself on a path to bettering her life and achieving her goals.

In addition to now running her own business, she has enrolled in an English class through Su Casa Hispanic Center and is pursuing her high school equivalency diploma.

“Adriana is a very self-empowered person,” Rosa says. “She is more assertive about asking for what she needs and being respected. She has also learned to value the place of mental health in a Latino family and all the good it can provide.”

Success stories like Adriana’s wouldn’t be possible without caring friends like you. Thank you for your generous support of Catholic Charities!

*Name changed for privacy

Supporting Those Caring for Loved Ones is the Right Thing to Do

Paul has been surrounded by caring influences. He witnessed and supported his wife, Nancy, as she cared for her aging mother, just as he did with his sister in Michigan, who cared for his mother. Paul also saw how difficult and stressful it can be to serve as a caregiver, the toll it can take mentally and physically, including feelings of guilt and helplessness. Having spent his career selling industrial machinery, Paul developed a knack for problem-solving and connecting the people around him to available resources. Six years ago, when Nancy saw a call-out in the parish bulletin that Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio’s Caregivers’ Assistance Network (CAN) was looking for volunteer facilitators for caregivers’ support groups, she encouraged him to apply.

Paul shared, “I care about people … We are all in this together … And getting involved is the right thing to do.” As a CAN support group facilitator, Paul gives his time to be present and provide a confidential space for caregivers to share their challenges and blessings. Their sense of solidarity is evident when the members of the group support one another by attending funerals when their fellow caregivers’ loved ones die. “It is a very touching experience to be together, praying and kneeling with one another,” at those times. According to CAN Coordinator, Angie Homoelle, “Paul appreciates the sacredness of the space they have created together and honors that.”

Paul assists his support group members to “connect the dots” and help caregivers seek solutions when they are faced with various challenges, which could be related to when the caregivers themselves need care, while balancing the care they provide for their loved one. Angie adds, “Paul is a dedicated volunteer who embodies servant leadership. He empowers the support group members to help each other and care for each other. Whenever there are challenges with the meeting time or location, he is flexible and makes sure the group has an opportunity to get together each month.”

The bond of support goes further than just the day-to-day logistics of caregiving, as many members will remain in the group after their loved one passes away and continue to support those with whom they have shared so much. This is a place where “people can laugh and cry and support one another,” Paul states.

Over 200 caregivers receive support monthly in groups like Paul’s in 18 locations, like churches and senior centers, across Southwestern Ohio.
CAN partners with community partners to offer Creative Connections, an art and movement program for people living with dementia. Powerful Tools for Caregivers help caregivers cope with stress and care for their own wellness. Senior and Caregiver Support Services is just one department among many at Catholic Charities that actively support and uplift people of all ages to manage life’s challenging circumstances and honors the experiences of older adults, their families and those who sacrifice to care for their loved ones.

As we approach the end of 2023, and the holiday season of giving, we are highlighting stories of Catholic Charities’ programs that serve young children, families, and older adults in our Winter Appeal. We hope these stories inspire you to generously share your gifts, as Paul has shared his for many years. Your financial support ensures that Catholic Charities and Su Casa are able to provide best-in-class outreach services to people of all ages in their time of need. Donate today!

3-Way Collaboration Helps Food For All Respond to Hunger Crisis

Hunger is a growing problem in our community. Solving it will take all of us working together.

That’s the spirit behind a partnership among Catholic Charities, Freestore Foodbank and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

This spring, as part of a longtime relationship, the LDS sent 795 cases of non-perishable food to Catholic Charities’ Food For All program. The generous donation filled half a semitruck!

Food For All Coordinator April Hoak reached out to Freestore Foodbank about using some of their warehouse space. They graciously agreed to help by storing the food and shipping items needed for each Food for All pantry.

The donation and Freestore Foodbank’s exceptional collaboration come at a critical time for our community. Housing and grocery costs remain high, and so does demand at pantry distributions. Food for All is still serving more people than before the pandemic. Lately, more families, including large extended families living together, are coming for the first time.

“It’s great that other agencies can come together to tackle hunger,” April says. “People from all different backgrounds understand that everybody should have food.”

The LDS donation helps ensure people in need can access not just food, but high-quality, nutritious products. It also improves choice for Food For All recipients.

The gift is not the only way the LDS church supports Food For All. Several local members also volunteer at the pantry distributions, which take place in Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Highland counties.

The interdenominational teamwork shows that “we can work closely together around an issue that’s important for all of us,” April says.

When it comes to ending hunger and food insecurity in our community, everyone has a role to play.

A Happy Ending Almost a Decade in the Making

For nearly nine years, Estefania* felt like her life was in limbo. With your support, Elizabeth Clapp, Immigration Legal Services Director (ILS), stuck with her through unexpected delays and hurdles until Estefania received her green card this spring.

“Now she can have a sense of stability that she didn’t have for so long,” says Elizabeth, ILS Director.

Estefania had arrived in the United States from Guatemala in 2014, as a 16-year old unaccompanied minor. She was striving to escape the extreme poverty she faced at home. Elizabeth took on the case pro bono.

“She’s the client I’ve had the longest,” Elizabeth says. “This attorney-client relationship is older than my youngest child.”

The first step was relatively straightforward. Elizabeth helped Estefania’s aunt get custody of her niece. Next, the petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) was approved. That’s when the challenges began.

The courts failed to send Estefania’s file to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. She essentially wound up in a “black hole,” Elizabeth says — one that would create a two-and-a-half-year delay.

Adding to the frustration, Estefania received her work permit, but her Social Security card never arrived. Then, the pandemic closed the Social Security office.

“It made it difficult for her to pursue higher education or have a steady job, because she kept running into hurdles and roadblocks,” Elizabeth says. “And she was watching other young adults she knew, including her brother, get their green cards and move on. She was just stuck.”

Through it all, Elizabeth stayed by Estefania’s side. She asked questions, sorted through the details, advocated for her client, and helped her stay positive.

No immigration case is ever simple. Yet, no matter how complex a case becomes, Catholic Charities’ ILS team is determined to help everyone they can to navigate their legal path to a new and better life in Southwest Ohio.

*Name changed for privacy.

Catholic Charities Responds to Increasing Mental Health Needs

With suicide rates on the rise among young Americans, Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Services (MHS) team has added programs to keep adolescents safe and healthy.

This summer, with the help of a grant from Hamilton County, MHS launched a coping skills group that empowers participants with the tools to navigate challenging, emotionally charged situations.

“Especially with adolescents, there can be impulsivity and big emotions,” says Mental Health Services Director Laura Hershberger. “It’s learning how, when you have those big emotions, to just sit with them, tolerate them, move through them and not respond immediately.”

Group participants learn skills like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and the ability to communicate assertively yet respectfully. Parents can join alongside their children, which helps break down mental health barriers within families.

In many cases, the reasons behind anxiety and depression are very different for adults than they are for young people. Deliana Peralta Fuentes, Mental Health Therapist, says the group helps “parents understand they have one perspective and the child has another, and that doesn’t make either one wrong.”

“They’re both on their own journey, but they also have a journey together,” adds Miriam Huerta, also a Mental Health Therapist.

In addition to the coping skills groups, Catholic Charities serves young people through Princeton City Schools. The effects of prolonged school closings have added to the stresses children face due to social media and constant digital connection. Deliana says she’s seeing more children struggle with transitioning to middle school or high school since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Because young people have less control over their environments, and less ability to change those environments, Catholic Charities focuses on coordinating with the people in their lives whenever possible.

The team is also devoted to providing individualized, culturally relevant care. For example, a teen who is an immigrant has different needs and concerns than a teen who was born in the U.S., and therapists know how to appropriately respond to each scenario.

With your support, Catholic Charities’ Mental Health Services program walks alongside people of all ages and backgrounds to help them find new hope for the future.

It All Starts with Families

Changing an entire community’s future begins with changing a single family’s life.

That’s the vitally important work Family Development Services Director Pam Mortensen and her team do in Butler County every day through programs like Parent Education Classes, The Parent Project®, and Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) consultation.

These programs are public/private partnerships which represent Butler County’s community investment in helping families and parents prosper. Transformation in this community stems from public support, local community foundation investments, as well as Catholic Charities own fundraising which enable us to empower people and help families thrive. This exemplifies how a community can transform its safety net to promote the lives and dignity of its residents.

Parent Education Classes teach mothers and fathers to parent more effectively. The classes help parents increase their knowledge of child development, build appropriate discipline skills, and improve their relationships with their children.

The Parent Project® addresses behavioral and mental health challenges in children and teens and provides parents with strategies to foster positive connections with their kids.

And ECMH consultation gives children from birth to six the skills they need to process their feelings, develop empathy, regulate their emotions, and build strong relationships.

“As a community, it’s smart for us to ensure we’re protecting children while they’re young so they can have a better chance of being successful in school and life,” Pam says. “These children are our neighbors. These children are our future workforce. We can get them better-equipped to have loving, respectful relationships — the real basics.”

Reaching children and families early is critical, Pam explains. Research has shown that when a child is expelled from preschool because of behavior, “they’re potentially in a pipeline to prison.” “You don’t want the 25-year-old who’s punching their coworker,” Pam says.

“You don’t want someone to react the same way at 23 that they did when they were three because their brain hasn’t learned to calm itself.”

By working in childcare settings, Pam’s team extends its reach to thousands of children in the community. When a struggling child begins to thrive, her peers feel less anxiety, her teachers can spread their attention to more children, and the entire class can learn, play, and grow without disruption. Life at home improves for the child and her family, as well.

“The intervention of ECMH consultation to support children, their teachers, and their parents strengthens the whole system,” Pam says. “Children are very resilient. We’re the helping hands to get them through. And each one of them is worth it.”

*Name changed for privacy

Afghan Refugees Building New Futures in Cincinnati

Aalem* fought against the Taliban alongside U.S. troops. The Afghan soldier knew it was the right thing to do, but it left him, his wife, and their seven children vulnerable to retaliation.

Now — thanks to Catholic Charities supporters like you — Aalem and his family have a safe home in Cincinnati.

The family was evacuated from Afghanistan as part of Operation Allies Welcome in 2021. They arrived in Cincinnati in October of that year. For more than 18 months, Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement Services (RRS) and Immigration Legal Services (ILS) teams worked with Aalem and his family as they started their new lives.

The RRS team immediately went to work finding them a place to live, enrolling the children in school, helping Aalem find a job, and ensuring they could access public assistance benefits. The team also made sure that one of the children was getting the medical care he needs for a rare blood disorder.

Meanwhile, the ILS team petitioned for Special Immigrant Visas based on the work Aalem had done in his home country on behalf of the United States. Once the petition was approved, ILS helped the family navigate the green card process. The team helped them file the paperwork and get the required vaccines and medical exams. They also accompanied them to their interviews.

When the green cards finally arrived in late April, Aalem and his wife brought a huge meal of Afghan food to the Catholic Charities office to thank the staff and celebrate with them.

“They just wanted to give back, even though they have so little,” says Elizabeth Clapp, ILS Director. “They were so, so, so, so thrilled! You could feel the energy in Aalem and his wife. They were just so relieved and so happy.”

With the legal issues resolved, the family can focus on settling in and building a thriving family here in Cincinnati. Aalem and his wife still worry for their loved ones thousands of miles away, but their children are making a fresh start here. The youngest son, a toddler, already responds to his parents in English when they speak to him in their native Pashto.

“To have this family where they are now is just really rewarding for our staff. It’s been a lot of hard work,” says Annie Scheid, RRS Director. “And they’re just the nicest family. They’re hard workers and good parents and just very nice people.”

Thank you for making success stories like this one possible through your generous, compassionate support!

*Name changed for privacy

Helping Unaccompanied Children Heal

Sofía and Adriana* dreamed of the day they would see their mom again. When that time finally came, Catholic Charities and caring friends like you empowered these two girls to move forward together.

The girls’ mother had come to the United States from Central America in search of a job so she could provide for her daughters. Eventually, they joined her in Cincinnati after making a 15-day trek to the U.S. border. Sofía and Adriana were just 10 and 9 at the time.

That grueling experience was only the beginning of their challenges. When they were reunited with their mom, they all had to learn to live together again — this time with a new stepfather and two younger siblings in the mix.

“There’s an idea of what family reunification will be like, and that’s not always the reality,” says Laura Hershberger, Director of Mental Health Services at Catholic Charities. “Children have idealized versions of their parents. It’s not always as easy as we think. There’s a whole new process, and when kids are struggling, they tend to act out with behaviors.”

Along with supporters like you, Catholic Charities has empowered this family with the tools, resources, skills, and opportunities they’ve needed to reshape the future for themselves.

Sandy Rodriguez, Case Manager and Family Reunification Supervisor for Su Casa Hispanic Center, a program of Catholic Charities, has worked with the girls from the beginning. She helped get them into school and start pursuing Special Immigrant Juvenile classification as a result of physical abuse they suffered in their home country. While their immigration case is pending, Sandy checks in with Sofía and Adriana regularly to make sure the girls are succeeding.

And they are! A mix of individual and family counseling through Catholic Charities has helped them adjust to life in Cincinnati and process the trauma they’ve experienced. Now 13 and 12, Sofía and Adriana are increasingly confident and social. They’re showing more patience with their younger siblings, as well.

“They are doing well in school and achieving higher grades,” says Sandy. “Their future goal is to go to and graduate college.”

Starting over in a new place isn’t easy for any child. For immigrant children like Sofía and Adriana, it can be even more difficult. But with your support, Catholic Charities is ensuring more children can lead the happy, healthy lives they’ve dreamed of.

*Name changed for privacy

Refugee Resettlement Services Helping Ukrainians Rebuild

As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, Catholic Charities is empowering Ukrainians to create new lives for themselves in Greater Cincinnati.

Catholic Charities added two staff members to meet the needs of the individuals and families fleeing the violence in their home country. The team helps newcomers apply for work authorization and access public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP. They also provide employment services, help enroll children in local schools and register people in English classes when needed.

Annie Scheid, Refugee Resettlement Services Director, says most of the Ukrainians coming to Cincinnati are highly educated, with college degrees or professional certifications. Many speak English proficiently and hope to find jobs in the fields where they worked back home.

Legally, Ukrainians do not have refugee status. Instead, they are considered “humanitarian parolees” for two years. Because their status is temporary, they face unique challenges trying to settle in and start over after the trauma of being forced from their homes.

To help with the transition, Catholic Charities is working to connect Ukrainian migrants with one another and with organizations like the Ukrainian Society of Greater Cincinnati & Dayton.

“Folks need a sense of community,” Annie explains.

With the help of supporters like you, Ukrainians are finding a welcoming home away from home in Ohio.

A Family Reunited

Catholic Charities recently helped reunite a Ukrainian family that had been separated upon arriving in the United States after having just fled the horrible war with Russia.

In mid-December, a married couple was traveling with the husband’s 17-yearold brother. When they landed in Minneapolis, a bureaucratic mix-up left the younger brother in detention at the airport while the rest of the family was moved on to Cincinnati, where their sponsor lived. (As humanitarian parolees, Ukrainians must have an approved sponsor to enter the U.S.)

Members of Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement Services and Immigration Legal Services teams stepped in to help locate the teenager, ensure his wellbeing and work through the process alongside the family. In January, the boy was safely reunited with his brother and sister-in-law!