“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose…” - Ecclesiastes 3:1 This verse not only embodies the current change in seasons, but it also reminds me of how our work here at Catholic Charities continues to evolve, especially over the past few months. This includes:

Supporting at-risk veterans: We finalized our acquisition of Manchester-based Liberty House, which serves both homeless and struggling veterans, many of whom face unimaginable challenges and invisible wounds such as trauma, PTSD and addiction. Between our two organizations, it’s a natural marriage of missions in supporting and protecting an extremely vulnerable (and highly underserved) population.

Creating pathways out of poverty through education opportunities: We announced nine recipients for our unique scholarship program for licensed nursing assistants (LNAs) seeking their licensed practical nurse (LPN) degrees. Some come from a life of financial hardship; others put their education and dreams on hold to raise a family. This is their path forward to build a better life full of opportunity.

We are currently developing a new program, On Track: this is designed to help vulnerable community college students graduate or move onto a four-year program. Our approach will be to employ Navigators, who will provide intensive case management and wrap-around services, focusing – in part – on education completion as a pathway out of poverty. We hope to launch the program in the spring.

Without your support, we would not have been able to offer these unique programs, or serve 96,054 individuals and families, this year alone, facing unimaginable life crises.