Program areas at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend
MIGRATION SERVICES Resettlement and Placement - Provides services for newly arrived refugees up to 90 days after arrival. This program provides assistance to people coming to the United States under refugee status as granted by the U.S. Department of State, as well as assistance to individuals who seek asylum once they are already in this country. Catholic Charities works in cooperation with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to provide these services, which help new residents adjust to life in the community. Services include pre-arrival processing, arrival services, assistance with housing, referrals for medical care, acculturation, referrals for ESL (English-as-a-second language) classes, school enrollment for the children, and other educational services as needed. Refugee Support Services - Provides extended case management and resources after the initial 90 days. Immigration - The Board of Immigration Appeals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) recognizes Catholic Charities' Immigration Services as a program that provides accurate and affordable services to immigrants who seek to adjust their status, reunite with family members, obtain employment authorization, or file paperwork to make other status adjustments through U.S.C.I.S (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, formerly the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS). Citizenship classes and assistance with the process of naturalization are also provided.
COUNSELING SERVICES Mental Health & Addiction Counseling - Programming that promotes emotional well-being and self-sufficiency. Victims Of Human Trafficking - Programming that helps freed victims deal with the trauma of their captivity and adjustment back into the community.
STABILITY SERVICES Resource & Referral - Services are provided to individuals and families who need help meeting basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, and utilities. Applicants qualified for the program will complete a brief assessment with a case manager in-person or virtually. Referrals are made to other agencies when appropriate. Hispanic Health Advocate - Our Hispanic Health Advocate program serves those who need Spanish-translation services in vital areas such as healthcare so they can get the vital services they need. Homeless Case Management - Case management services to homeless individuals to provide needed resources to break down the barriers of becoming self-sufficient. The case manager assists with linking needed individuals with resources for basic needs such as shelter, clothing, food, hygiene, insurance, healthcare, etc. The case manager may be able to conduct coordinated entry assessment if the client qualifies. Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - SCSEP is the nation's longest-running program to help low-income individuals, aged 55 and over, to find employment. Our SCSEP case managers help seniors by creating an Individual Employment Plan so they could achieve their goals. They also place seniors in job training opportunities and other resources (housing, food, other assistance, etc.). SCSEP provides job coaching and job search assistance. Food Pantries - As our communities continue to face rising unemployment, food is flying off the shelves at both South Bend Food Pantry and RSVP Community Center of Caring Food Pantry in Auburn.Because of this great need, we typically serve over 5,000 people annually. Youth Mentoring - The Mentoring Program pairs youth between the ages of 9 and 17 who live in DeKalb, Noble and Steuben counties with a background screened and trained adult Mentor. The matches develop nurturing relationships by meeting virtually or in-person a minimum of 3-8 hours a month for no less than one year. Individual and group activities such as bowling, college visits, field trips to farms, trips to sports events and more make this powerful program a fun experience for everyone. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) - Senior Corps volunteer programs connect people 55 years and older to organizations that need them most. Catholic Charities helps them become mentors, coaches, and companions to people in need. They also contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations.
PRO-LIFE SERVICES Pregnancy Case Management - Professional, pro-life case management services for expecting parents facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our case managers help parents explore the options of parenting or adoption and accessing resources to support them in their decision. Education Creates Hope and Opportunity (ECHO) Collaborating with schools, clinics and other community providers, ECHO Program provides extended case management to pregnant or parenting teens seeking to complete their education.