Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York

Congratulations, Carolyn Cleveland! We know you will truly thrive in your new role.

For the first time in years, more than 300 Catholic Charities of New York staff came together for All Staff Day at the Bronx Zoo yesterday! 🦁💙   It was a rare opportunity away from the everyday, connect in person with widespread colleagues, share some laughs, and celebrate the people behind the work we do every day: making sure our neighbors in need get help, hope, and opportunity.   We’re grateful for the people who make this work possible — and for the chance to be together again. 💙 Relive some of the moments here: https://lnkd.in/gXHwdYsr

Every September 29, Hunger Action Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the people who help make sure our neighbors have access to nutritious food, not just today, but every day. At Catholic Charities of New York, our staff, volunteers, and partners work year-round to provide nutritious meals and food to individuals and families through mobile food pantries, food distributions, soup kitchens, and special delivery meals. “When families are already struggling to pay for basic necessities like rent and utilities, the last thing they should have to worry about is where their next meal is coming from,” said Lakisha Morris, Director of Food and Housing Stability at Catholic Charities of New York. We’re grateful to everyone who makes this work possible. Whether you donate, provide resources, or volunteer your time, any contribution helps put food on the table and create hope for our neighbors in need. Want to help feed neighbors in need? Become a volunteer! Find ways to help out the link in the comments.

For nearly two years, Cindy and her five-year-old son lived in shelters while she worked to provide for her family and care for her son, who has autism. Finding food, affording transportation, and navigating shelter restrictions made an already difficult situation even harder. Cindy found help at our Cardinal Spellman Center in the East Village, where case manager Alexander Gutierrez worked with her to secure funds for necessities like transportation and a cell phone, and introduced her to a peer support group where she learned about housing opportunities. With the peer group’s support, Cindy secured a CityFHEPS housing voucher and moved with her son into an apartment in the Bronx, finding the stability and routine they had been missing. Today, Cindy continues to build a safe, stable home where her son can grow and thrive. Read more at the link in our comments.

“As Catholics we will continue to stand with those who are seeking safety, rebuilding their lives, and working toward a future filled with hope and opportunity. We do so not because of politics, but because of who we are and what our faith calls us to be.” J. Antonio Fernandez CEO, Catholic Charities of New York C. Mario Russell Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies of New York   Read the full joint statement World Day of Migrants and Refugees at the link in the comments. #WorldDayofMigrantsandRefugees

“As a priest of our local Church here in New York, I want to answer the call of Christ our Lord: ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,’ (Matthew 25:40)” — Father Sean Connolly.   Father Sean’s running the New York City Marathon to raise awareness and support for Catholic Charities of New York and its mission of serving our neighbors in need.   “This marathon is an opportunity to answer that call and invite others to join me in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. I will offer each of the 26 miles I run as a prayer, especially in thanksgiving for all who generously support Catholic Charities,” he said.   Thank you, Father Sean, for being a part of our mission of providing help and creating hope for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

Thanks to the dedication of Catholic Charities of New York Case Manager Jisset Medina Valdez, Johanny, a single mother who had fallen behind on rent, found support at a time when she was beginning to wonder where she and her teenage daughter would go if they lost their home. Johanny faced unemployment, mounting rent and utility bills, and the challenge of supporting her family on a limited income. For Johanny, the reason to keep pushing forward was always clear. “My daughter is everything to me,” she said. “She is where I find the strength to keep going and not give up.” Johanny was already familiar with Catholic Charities of New York’s Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Center in Harlem through its food pantry. With rising food prices consuming more of her household budget, she relied on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as well as other food pantries in her community, to help make ends meet. One day, Johanny learned that the Kennedy Center could also help people facing difficulties with rent and utility bills. That connection eventually brought her to Jisset, who helped her navigate her options and find a path forward. Read more at the link in our comments.

Un momento histórico para la Iglesia y para la Arquidiócesis de Nueva York. Acompáñenos este jueves 24 de septiembre, a las 3 p. m. ET / 2 p. m. CT, para la transmisión en vivo de la Misa de Beatificación del Arzobispo Fulton J. Sheen. La beatificación es el tercero de cuatro pasos hacia la canonización, y le otorga el título de “Beato”. Visite archny.org para ver la transmisión en vivo y conocer más sobre la vida y el legado del Arzobispo Sheen. A historic moment for the Church and for the Archdiocese of New York. Join us Thursday, September 24, at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT for the livestream of the Mass of the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Beatification is the third of four steps toward sainthood, giving him the title “Blessed.” Visit archny.org to watch the livestream and learn more about the life and legacy of Archbishop Sheen.

We are very grateful to El Diario NY, the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the country, for honoring our CEO, J. Antonio Fernandez, as a recipient of the 2026 El Awards.   The El Awards recognize leadership that transforms compassion into action and strengthens thousands of families with dignity, service, and hope.   “Thank you to El Diario for this prestigious award,” says Antonio. “We are really, really happy with it because that means that great institutions like El Diario recognize the work that we do with thousands of people every day. We are proud of the work that we do, helping many, many Latinos from many different countries. We are here to serve. Thank you, and God bless you.”

On September 17, the P.S. 11X community came together to celebrate Dads Take Your Child to School Day and the important role fathers and father figures play in the lives of our children. They welcomed 70 dads and 70 student participants. Alianza, an agency of Catholic Charities of New York, also participated, helping to bring families and community partners together. A special thank you to State Senator José M. Serrano for joining us and speaking with our dads about the importance of their presence and leadership in the lives of their children. We’re so grateful for all of the dads, uncles, brothers, and father figures who showed up for their kids! NYC Department of Youth & Community Development