Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown

Community and veterans support services and case managementin partnership with private donors and government agencies in a wide range of areas, Catholic Charities offers housing location and rental assistance, utility bill budgeting and payment assistance, and disaster relief assistance. A program for older adults, ensuring their safety and independence is also part of our services. Sole administrator of the federal supportive services for veteran families program in lehigh, northampton and schuylkill counties, and work in partnership with additional agencies in berks and carbon counties. the program provides case management and supportive services to prevent the imminent loss of a veteran's home or identify a new, more suitable housing situation for the individual and his or her family; or to rapidly re-house veterans and their families who are homeless and might remain homeless without this assistance.

Certified long-term care ombudsman programcatholic Charities is the sole program administrator for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania's long-term care ombudsman program in lehigh and northampton counties, serving 125+ facilities. Certified ombudsman work to resolve complaints and issues on behalf of individuals residing in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes. Ombudsmen empower residents by educating them on their rights under federal and state law and advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves, to ensure that they receive the highest quality of care.

Community food services: soup kitchens and pantries in five county areathe Allentown ecumenical soup kitchen and pantry, the pottsville area kitchen, and the berks county food distribution all operate to address food insecurity. There are no barriers to food access in any of the community food service programs offered by Catholic Charities. Due to covid restrictions still in place during 2022, the kitchens primarily operated on a "take-out" basis. Additional fresh grocery items, made available through corporate partnerships, were made available weekly in the Allentown kitchen. Hot meals are served three days per week in Allentown, and four days per week in pottsville. the berks county food distribution takes place once per month to approximately 50 people.

Counseling and pregnancy and parenting support servicesprofessional counselors offer help in areas such as depression, anxiety, marriage and family issues. Insurances are accepted for services and we also offer a sliding fee scale based on household net income. No cost professional counseling is offered in all of our diocesan high schools and some elementary schools. the counseling program also offers pregnancy and parenting counseling and material assistance.

Immigration servicescatholic Charities provides: consultations, family petitions, adjustment of status and consular processing, travel documents, replacement and renewal of lost/stolen and expired alien registration and employment authorization cards, deferred action for childhood arrivals, employment authorization, temporary protected status, non-immigrant visas ("k", "t", "u and "v"), and representation at uscis interviews