2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT

COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

OUR COMMUNITY OF DONORS

Our impact is amplified when we work together. The work of Catholic Charities is bolstered by strong support from our Central Texas community, allowing us to help people in need throughout a service region which spans more than 21,000 square miles.

AMBASSADOR CIRCLE

The Ambassador Circle is a group of influential Catholic Charities of Central Texas supporters who are committed to introducing and promoting the mission throughout our Central Texas community. Thank you to the Ambassador Circle groups in the Austin and Brazos Valley areas for supporting our Creating Hope events as co-hosts, spreading the word about our material donation drives, advocating for our mission across Central Texas, and more!

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Catholic Charities of Central Texas is proud to recognize 4 Catholic school partners as Catholic Charities Champions for the 2023-2024 school year!

A Catholic Charities Champion is a school community within the Diocese of Austin that strives to live out the principles of serving, learning, giving, and sharing the mission of Catholic Charities.

St. Louis Catholic School

For their Parish/School Feast Day in 2023, St. Louis Catholic School partnered with CCCTX to donate and wrap thousands of diapers that benefited families served through our St. Gabriel’s Pregnancy and Parenting Program.

St. Theresa Catholic School

Every year, St. Theresa Catholic School partners with CCCTX to hold a Lenten Diaper Drive to benefit families served through the St. Gabriel’s Pregnancy and Parenting Program. After setting the ambitious goal of collecting 25,000 diapers to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of CCCTX, the St. Theresa Catholic Church and School community was able to meet and surpass their goal – setting a new Diocesan record for a school-based donation drive!

St. Joseph Catholic Academy

During the 2023-2024 school year, St. Joseph Catholic Academy partnered with CCCTX on a number of service and giving projects, including holding a Baby Diaper & Hygiene Drive during Respect Life Month, as well as creating Veteran’s Day cards for veterans staying at hospital facilities in Temple, TX and Killeen, TX. Additionally, middle school and high school students participated in a Poverty Simulation that allowed them to experience the plight of families experiencing homelessness.

St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School

As part of their Archangel Feast Day of Service, St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School students collaborated to collect and prepare thousands of baby diapers and hygiene items that benefited the families served through the St. Gabriel’s Pregnancy and Parenting Program. Additionally, these students collected hundreds of family board games that were distributed to families as part of CCCTX’s 25th Birthday celebration. St. Michael’s student bands also entertained our guests at the CCCTX 25^th Anniversary Block Party!

DIOCESE OF AUSTIN PARISHES

Diocese of Austin parishes are some of our strongest partners, allowing us to expand the reach of our services throughout Central Texas to help more people in need. In FY24, we partnered with 75 Diocese of Austin parishes to offer localized support through our programs and engage parishioners in our mission. We are grateful to our parish partners for working with us to offer baby showers for new and expectant moms, on-site counseling sessions, information sessions on poverty, and more.

In FY24:

25 parishes supported CCCTX with in-kind donations
22 new Gabriel Angels were trained to offer spiritual and emotional support for pregnant women and families in partnership with our St. Gabriel’s Pregnancy and Parenting Program
Diocese of Austin staff participated in a service day at CCCTX for their Lenten Day of Service, organizing material donations for families in need.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Daughters of the American Revolution

A gift from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Austin Colony Chapter allowed CCCTX to distribute 25 self-care and employment kits for women veteran clients actively looking for work or starting a new job.

The employment and self-care kits distributed by CCCTX with support from the DAR included undergarments, professional clothing items, work bags, toiletries, hair tools, and personal items. This gift allowed women veterans to feel prepared to show up at a job interview or their first day of work as their best selves, empowering them to take charge of their future and feel confident in themselves.

Ladies of Charity – Lake Travis

Ladies of Charity – Lake Travis generously donated items supporting a variety of CCCTX programs, including move-in kits for formerly unhoused veterans, as well as cleaning and toiletry kits for refugee families. Ladies of Charity also generously provided gift cards to help 100 veteran and refugee households make ends meet in their time of need. These donations relieved the financial strain of settling in a new home, helping recipients feel welcome and settled in their new environment.

Knights of Columbus Council #3205

In November 2023, the Knights of Columbus Council #3205 hosted their annual Coats for Kids drive at CCCTX. 154 children living in poverty in the Brazos Valley received free coats to keep them warm in the winter months thanks to the Knights of Columbus.