Catholic Family Services

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OFFERS SOCIAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND FAITHS IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN. OUR VISION IS TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES DEVELOP STABILITY, INDEPENDENCE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. WE PROVIDE TANGIBLE HELP TO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

THE ARK IS LOCATED IN KALAMAZOO AND IS THE ONLY SHORT-TERM CRISIS INTERVENTION SHELTER SERVING YOUTH AGES 10-17 IN THE NINE COUNTIES SERVED BY THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO. THE ARK SERVES YOUTH WHO HAVE RUN AWAY; ARE IN DANGER OF BEING HOMELESS; OR ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS. YOUTH STAY UP TO 21 DAYS AND RECEIVE COUNSELING, SUPPORT SERVICES, AND AFTERCARE SERVICES AT NO CHARGE. THE GOAL IS TO UNITE AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES OR HELP HOMELESS YOUTH FIND ALTERNATIVE SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. IN 2021, THE ARK SHELTER SERVED 54 RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH WITH 1,718 HOURS OF CASE MANAGEMENT AND PROVIDED 686 DAYS OF CARE. THE ARK YOUTH INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM HELPS HOMELESS YOUTH AGES 16-21 TO FIND HOUSING, COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION, AND FIND EMPLOYMENT. IN 2021, THEY PROVIDED 875 HOURS OF COUNSELING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND 3,518 DAYS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 23 YOUTH. THE ARK OUTREACH PROGRAM HELPS HOMELESS YOUTH ON THE STREETS, OFFERS FREE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION WORKSHOPS IN SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND HELPS PROMOTE THE ARK SERVICES. IN 2021, OUTREACH'S EFFORTS WERE LIMITED DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, ALTHOUGH THEY MAINTAINED CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF HOUSEHOLD ITEMS VALUED AT 4,099 WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ELIGIBLE YOUTH SERVED THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS.

CARING NETWORK SERVES PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN KALAMAZOO COUNTY. THE GOALS ARE TO ENSURE HEALTHY PREGNANCIES AND BABIES AND TO HELP DEVELOP HEALTHY PARENTING BEHAVIORS. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO CLIENTS AND INCLUDE CASE MANAGEMENT, IN-HOME VISITS, REFERRALS, PREGNANCY TESTING, PREGNANCY AND PARENTING CLASSES, POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION SCREENING, INFANT MORTALITY SCREENING AND EDUCATION, FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS, AND MATERIAL ITEMS. IN 2021, CARING NETWORK PROVIDED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO 379 WOMEN. THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF CLOTHING, FURNITURE, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, CAR SEATS, CRIBS, DIAPERS, AND HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS VALUED AT 52,269 WERE GIVEN TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS.

THE BRIDGES PROGRAM PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY OUTPATIENT MENTAL COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN. BRIDGES HELPS CLIENTS RESOLVE ISSUES RELATING TO DEPRESSION, ANGER MANAGEMENT, MARITAL OR RELATIONSHIP CONFLICTS, GRIEF, LOSS, GENDER IDENTITY AND DEPRESSION TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. IN 2021, BRIDGES PROVIDED 808 THERAPY SESSIONS.

BARAGA MANOR (OTSEGO SENIOR APARTMENTS) IN OTSEGO PROVIDES AFFORDABLE AND SAFE LIVING FOR ADULTS AGE 62 OR OLDER AND/OR MOBILITY-IMPAIRED ADULTS. THERE ARE 48 ONE-BEDROOM UNITS. AMENITIES INCLUDE A COMMUNITY CENTER AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES ON EACH FLOOR. STAFFING INCLUDES A SERVICE COORDINATOR AND A MAINTENANCE MANAGER. IN 2021, 46 ADULTS WERE PROVIDED WITH 16,790 DAYS OF RESIDENCE. THE HEATING ASSITANCE PROGRAM, OFFERED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO, HELPS LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH THEIR WINTER HEATING BILLS. IN 2021, 51,859 PASSED THROUGH OUR AGENCY FROM THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO AND WAS DISBURSED TO 194 PEOPLE IN THE NINE COUNTY REGION OF THE DIOCESE. THIS PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED EACH YEAR BY VOLUNTEERS.