I didn’t grow up with much, but I grew up with enough to understand the quiet dignity of getting by. In my family of eight, clothing wasn’t something we could take for granted. Most of what I wore during my childhood, came from my two older brothers, hand-me-downs that had already lived a full life before reaching me.
Shopping trips weren’t to malls or brand-name stores; they were to thrift shops and flea markets, where every dollar mattered and every find felt like a small victory for my parents. I didn’t always realize it at the time, but those experiences shaped how I see the world, and how deeply I understand the value of a helping hand.
There’s a particular humility that comes with growing up this way. You learn not to ask for too much. You learn to be resourceful. But most importantly, you learn what it means when someone shows up for you in a moment of need.
That’s why the work of Catholic Charities of New York resonates so deeply with me. Recently, Catholic Charities opened up the Cardinal Spellman Community Center on the Lower East Side for a Moms and Babies Boutique. Our vision for the event was to create a chic and colorful space where new and expectant mothers may come to “shop” for essential baby items (which they received for free).
Our programs for families with babies are more than just services; they are lifelines. They step in at one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life, offering not just material support, but reassurance, compassion, and hope. For mothers facing uncertainty, for families trying to build a stable foundation, these programs say: you are not alone.
My family knows what it feels like to need that kind of support. To wonder how things will come together. To make do with what you have and hope it’s enough. And I also know how powerful it is when someone steps in to help carry the weight. This is why I am so passionate about helping people plan impactful charitable gifts. A legacy gift is a powerful way to ensure that compassion, dignity, and care continue reaching individuals and families for generations to come. It’s about creating a lasting impact, one that extends far beyond any one person’s story.
Because the truth is, we all need help at some point in our lives. None of us makes it entirely on our own.
I’m grateful, for the lessons my upbringing taught me, for the resilience it built, and for the organizations that remind us of our shared responsibility to care for one another. Catholic Charities of New York embodies that spirit in a profound way, meeting people where they are and helping them move forward with dignity.
If you are interested in supporting our work through Planned Giving — be it through donor advised funds, a bequest in your will, a gift through your retirement plan, or a charitable gift annuity — please contact me at Emily.Chau@catholiccharitiesny.org or 646-794-2018.
Learn more: https://catholiccharitiesny.org/waystogive
