As we begin a new month, we are reminded that hope is built through everyday acts of service, compassion, and community. In February’s Charity in Action, we share stories of help and hope — from our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, where young people came together to serve and lead, to a City Limits interview with CEO J. Antonio Fernández on the urgent challenges of hunger and housing; from the joy and generosity of Alianza Dominicana’s Three Kings Day celebration, to an invitation to reflect on legacy through estate planning in 2026, and the ongoing work of Catholic Homes New York to expand safe, affordable housing across New York. Each story that follows shows a different way compassion takes root and creates lasting hope.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service at the Kennedy Center
On Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Catholic Charities of New York joined communities across the nation in honoring Dr. King’s enduring call to service. We reflected on Dr. King’s timeless words: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
At Catholic Charities, we see the answer to that question every single day in volunteers who arrive before sunrise to prepare pantry bags, in caseworkers who walk patiently alongside families through crisis, and in supporters like you who choose compassion in service of our neighbors. These acts of kindness — big and small — are what keep hope alive for our neighbors in need.
That same spirit of service, care, and community filled the Catholic Charities Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Community Center in Harlem for our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Young people came together to serve, to learn, and to lift one another up. They began the day by sorting and packing food in the pantry to serve neighbors in need, and later ended it with a spirited basketball tournament. More than anything, the day of service was a reminder that service builds connection, confidence, and belonging.
We were deeply grateful to welcome U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who made a special visit. She volunteered alongside youth participants in the food pantry, toured our community center with senior staff, and later cheered from the sidelines as teams competed in the afternoon basketball tournament.
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City Limits Interviews J. Antonio Fernández
In a City Limits interview, J. Antonio Fernández shares his vision for Catholic Charities of New York — and why housing and food insecurity remain urgent priorities.
Alianza Celebrates Three Kings Day with Toys and Community
More than 200 students and community members celebrated Three Kings Day at Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center in Washington Heights. Hundreds of gifts — from toy trucks and dolls to hockey sticks — were shared with families, alongside New York State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos serving as one of the Three Kings.
Make 2026 the Year You Secure Your Legacy
The start of a new year brings a chance to focus on what truly matters — faith, family, and the lasting impact we leave behind. What better time to create your will and ensure your wishes reflect the life and values you hold dear? By including a gift to Catholic Charities in your will, you can extend the legacy of Christ’s love, supporting those in need long into the future.
Building Homes, Building Hope: Catholic Homes Expands Affordable Housing
Catholic Homes New York is a leader and pioneer in providing permanent and affordable housing. Guided by their belief that a home is a sacred human right, Catholic Homes develops safe, stable communities for families, seniors, and individuals across the Archdiocese of New York — sustaining more than 3,000 affordable apartments.
