For 99 years, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. has assisted disadvantaged communities within Eastern Connecticut. With the motto of “Providing Help and Creating Hope,” the agency, through its Intensive Case Management/Emergency Basic Needs Program, provides compassionate human services to individuals and families no matter their faith, race, ethnicity, age, gender or circumstances. Indeed, 75% of those seeking services are non-Catholic and 80% seeking services are female ages 15 to 65 and older.   

Through our Intensive Case Management program, case managers Engage with clients in their own environment to help assess their situation. They Evaluate what other types of services they may need. This allows the case managers to Educate these clients about budgeting and financial planning, SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) and other assistance programs. 

The personalization of the client/case manager interaction makes the program unique.  

The clients are treated with dignity and respect as people in need, not as people looking for a handout. Time is taken with every client in order to learn about them and their situation. Upon intake the case manager listens to the client and encourages them to share their story. This enables the case manager to treat the client holistically. The purpose of this first encounter is to create a plan to help the client with their initial need, then develop a plan for the future. Getting individuals and families back on their feet and becoming contributing members of the community is the program’s overall goal.

The dedicated staff at Catholic Charities understand that they play a vitally important role in our community, and are committed to doing their best to support our clients throughout these challenging times. The staff is working hard to mitigate the growing concerns and fears of individuals and families who may be losing access to food and other basic needs. The coronavirus is also causing Catholic Charities to experience an influx of first-time clients to the agency for all types of support.

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the region, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich continues to come together, now more than ever, to provide relief to those in need. In response to the current situation, Catholic Charities has implemented our business continuity plan and have taken actions to ensure continued, uninterrupted service to our clients.

First and foremost, our plan ensures the health and safety of our clients and staff, so we can continue to deliver and support the services that the most vulnerable among us count on. As we continue to monitor the events surrounding COVID-19, we are following the CDC recommended precautions to keep everyone safe.

Catholic Charities is trying to minimize direct client contact as much as possible. We assist clients via telephone or email rather than in-person visits when possible. If a visit to any of the four offices is necessary, these clients will be seen by appointment only; no walk-ins will be accepted. Clients can call Catholic Charities to make appointments for the food pantry, utility, rental and other assistance. When a visit is needed, we ask clients to let us know their health situation before entering the building.

Catholic Charities wants communities in the Diocese of Norwich to know that you have our commitment to continue providing you with the services you depend on. For 99 years, ‘The mission of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich, Inc. is to respond to Christ's call to care for those of all faiths in need by providing compassionate social services for individuals and families living in Eastern Connecticut. These services shall be provided in a fiscally responsible manner with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and effectiveness, with special attention to people who are poor or disadvantaged.”  Our top priority is addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in our community in order to meet the demands caused by this rapidly developing situation.

Of course, we always like to hear from our clients as their input is valuable when evaluating a program's strengths and weaknesses. It is also fulfilling and rewarding when notes like those below come in and we can feel and see the happiness on the faces and in the word from clients that Catholic Charities has helped.

We understand that Catholic Charities plays a vitally important role in our communities during situations like this, and we are committed to doing our very best to support our clients, employees and community throughout this challenging time.

Of course, your help is important to the success of Catholic Charities. Your support, through financial donations or donations of canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, tuna fish, canned meats, diapers, toiletries, and other items, is always welcomed. We can coordinate the pick-up or drop-off of your items. Just call, 

“We are all in this together.”

-- By Jack Babbitt, Grant Writer

Testimonials

“We found residence, after being homeless for a week, but we are behind due to my not working previously. I am currently back to work and writing to thank you for the $200 payment to my landlord. Thank you so much for the services that you provide this community!” – L.N. 

“I greatly appreciate the help Catholic Charities has provided me. They helped me with my gas bill when it was shut off so now my daughter and I can be warm and cozy in our home with the help of Catholic Charities.” – A.S.“I liked how we were able to talk to each other and share our concerns as well as learn from the facilitator on a variety of topics. All the resources, breastfeeding, car seat safety, lead poisoning, and dietary information were very interesting. I feel the group was helpful because I made relationships with the other moms outside the program.” – T.C.

“I THANK you for helping me put my family back together!!” – C.K. 

“Thank you for your help during this difficult financial time for me, for giving me strength to persist and succeed. Knowing that someone is there to help means the world to me.” – S.