Catholic Charities New York is proud to be the oldest beneficiary of The New York Times Communities Fund (formerly The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund), an annual fundraising campaign held throughout the Holiday Season to benefit a selection of trusted charities. This year marks the 112th Anniversary of this campaign. Catholic Charities’ longstanding partnership with The New York Times has enabled us to deliver on our mission and solve the problems of New Yorkers in need each year by supporting our work serving our neighbors in need throughout New York.
This year, all funds received from The New York Times Communities Fund will benefit two priority areas of need: Housing and Immigration programs.
We are experiencing a national crisis in affordable housing across our nation. Catholic Charities is uniquely positioned to respond to the housing crisis here in New York. New York State has the country’s fifth-highest rate of homelessness. The problem is especially acute in New York City, where homelessness is at an all-time high. Nearly 1 in 83 New Yorkers are homeless. In addition, nearly 1 in 3 children in New York City live below the poverty level.
In addition to decreasing rent growth, a large body of research has demonstrated that creating more affordable housing can help reduce homelessness. Catholic Charities has been on the frontlines of building affordable housing.
For over 50 years, we have built, sustained and upgraded affordable apartments for low-income individuals and families including formerly homeless, mentally ill, refugees and seniors. From the moment a family moves into their own housing, we are there to provide support and services that allow individuals and families to stay in their homes and thrive in their community.
Catholic Charities is also leading in providing a humanitarian response to immigrants and refugees escaping war, famine, political unrest, climate change and poverty through our immigration and refugee assistance program. We work with immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers from around the world guiding them to citizenship, learning English, finding employment and acclimating them to a new life. We reunite loved ones and assist the unaccompanied child.
For two decades Catholic Charities has operated a statewide, multilingual, immigration information and referral and assistance hotline also serving people throughout the United States. Currently, we are experiencing a sharp increase in the number of asylum seekers coming to New York seeking a life free from fear, war and oppression. Guided by Jesus’ example, we are providing basic assistance of food, shelter and resettlement services for our brothers and sisters in need.
“The success of this campaign is critical to our efforts and will enable us to expand our impact and to meet the current and emerging needs of Catholics and non-Catholics alike who require our assistance to live in greater dignity.” Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director
Our partnership with The New York Times Communities Campaign will help us meet the many new and emerging needs throughout New York. To learn more about our partnership or to donate to this year’s Fund, CLICK HERE.
