A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear CC Family,
At Catholic Charities, our 2021-2022 fiscal year was a year of resilience. We continued to adapt to new challenges in our community and in our world. We remained steadfast in responding to the ever-increasing demand for our support across Central Texas. This would have been impossible without our faith, which grounds us and helps us serve as a source of strength for those who come to us in their greatest time of need.
Looking back on the last year, I am proud that Catholic Charities has excelled both in our regular service delivery and in making strides to achieve our larger vision, including:
- Increasing internal referrals to help our clients benefit from the many services we offer under the same roof.
- Continuing to forge deeper relationships with our parishes and Catholic schools to strengthen our Catholic community and build up our future generations.
- Reaching deeper into rural Central Texas communities, many of which have limited access to social services.
This work is made possible by our dedicated staff, committed leadership, and of course, by loyal supporters like you. If you want proof that your gifts to Catholic Charities can change lives, you will find it in this Annual Report.
Here, you will see the big picture—16,326 people were offered help and hope at Catholic Charities this year. You will also read about the impact of your support at a very personal level. You will learn how we helped two clients break out of the cycle of poverty, giving them the space to achieve goals they thought were impossible when they first walked through our doors.
We look forward to achieving great things in the year ahead as we grow our Brazos Valley office and expand our physical presence in Killeen and Waco. But today, we celebrate each result outlined in this report. Because they show with each passing year, we are building a stronger Central Texas community together.
Blessings,
Sara Ramirez
Executive Director
OUR MISSION
People of faith serving anyone in need by strengthening families and promoting respect for human dignity and life.
OUR VISION
A Central Texas in which every person thrives in their God-given gifts and dignity.
AGENCY HIGHLIGHTS
16,326
people served through our programs and emergency assistance events
150%
increase in internal referrals to connect clients with all the Catholic Charities services they need
24/25
Central Texas counties served
OUR PROGRAMS FIT THE NEEDS OF CENTRAL TEXANS
OUR DONORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
FINANCIAL REPORT FY 2021-2022
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
This year, two special clients dug deep to share their stories and the lasting impact Catholic Charities had on their lives. Both have continued to grow and achieve incredible things since coming to Catholic Charities in their time of need. Here’s where they are today.
Grace Mulenga
Creating Hope in Central Texas Evening Event, November 2021
When Grace came to Catholic Charities, she was at a crossroads. Catholic Charities helped her keep a roof over her head as she put herself through graduate school. Thanks in part to the help she received from Catholic Charities, Grace earned her MBA, started a successful career in the financial industry, and eventually purchased her first home.
Eight years later, Grace returned to Catholic Charities. This time, she didn’t come to ask for help. She came back to pay it forward by donating to Catholic Charities to help someone else in her shoes. She was a keynote speaker at our 2021 Creating Hope event in Austin, where she shared the key role Catholic Charities played in the trajectory of her life and the importance of giving back to help others.
Since her speech at Creating Hope, Grace became a published author. In her book, Audacious Destiny, Grace tells of her journey of faith, resilience, and the discovery of God’s intentionality. In the future, Grace plans to continue to help and inspire others. “My goal every day is to create hope in whatever way I can,” she said.
Anna Byrd
Creating Hope Luncheon Brazos Valley, April 2022
After being stuck in an abusive marriage for many years, Anna Byrd had lost her will to live. But in a moment of bravery, she decided her life was worth saving. After filing for divorce, Anna started a new life on her own, and began seeing a counselor at Catholic Charities who helped her break through her trauma to become a better version of herself.
With hard work and help from her counselor, she turned a corner. At our Creating Hope Luncheon, Anna shared that she now has a job, purchased a home, is planning her new business, and starts each day feeling blessed.
Today, Anna is continuing to build momentum. She is busy networking and forming a community to help her business thrive. But most importantly, her confidence is growing, and she is setting big goals for the future.
A short time ago, Anna had lost her voice. “Now, every day my voice grows stronger,” she said.
PROGRAMS WORKING TOGETHER
How Catholic Charities programs came together to support Afghan refugee families in Austin.
When refugees from Afghanistan began settling in Central Texas, Catholic Charities was quickly called upon to support families in integrating into their new home. Multiple Catholic Charities programs worked together, going beyond their regular operations to fill unmet needs in our community.
Here’s what we did to help:
- Our Financial Stability (FS) program understands that navigating the rental market is difficult for those unfamiliar with our community. FS provided rent and utility support to provide safe and stable housing as these families acclimate to their new home and look for stable work.
- Our St. Gabriel’s Pregnancy and Parenting Program (SGPPP) helped families who were struggling to access public transportation and did not have adequate resources to provide for their children. SGPPP offered special deliveries of basic needs items including diapers, clothing, strollers, car seats, food, and more to help these refugees live with dignity.
- Our Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program offered several legal clinics for Afghan refugees through the Texas Here to Stay coalition. ILS will continue to work with refugee families to apply for asylum or Special Immigrant Visas after these families are settled and have addressed their basic needs.
- Community partnerships are key to our ability to tackle large issues and make a big impact. We worked closely with organizations like the Ladies of Charity Lake Travis Chapter to coordinate efforts and help Afghan families thrive in their new home.
Our effort to support Afghan refugee families highlights the key strengths which set Catholic Charities apart in our community:
- Our strong reputation for partnerships that maximize the impact of our efforts.
- Our willingness to go above and beyond regular. operations in times of great need
- Our abundant opportunities for Central Texans to access many support services they need, all under one roof.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
No matter how great or small, your contribution matters.
Click each tab below to view our list of donors.
Our Board of Directors
Eric Boyce, PresidentRon Gay, Vice President
Brad Heath, Treasurer
John James, Secretary
DeKarlos Blackmon
Scott Brutocao
Rev. Chris Downey
Leah Esparza
Peggy Fernandes
Dorothy Hargrave
Patricia Hayes
Mary Beth Koenig
Pat Macy
Tini Nguyen
Rev. Bruce Nieli
Deacon Patrick O’Beirne
Deacon Bill Scarmardo