Caring for those in need to bring more people to Jesus.
OUR GOAL FOR THIS CASE ELEMENT: $6,050,000

As followers of Jesus Christ, one by one, we are called to be formed in faith and lead a life of active witness, proclaiming the Good News. An essential part of responding to the invitation to become a missionary disciple is fully following the call of Jesus Christ to seek out the stranger, heal the sick and welcome the weary; we need to invite all into deeper relationships with Jesus Christ. We are also called to develop transformational relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Such interactions bring others to the truth and joy of the Gospel.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay lives out the mission of the Gospel in serving those who are most in need in our communities. In addition to promoting the social teachings of the Church, especially as they relate to issues of justice and human dignity, Catholic Charities assists the Diocese and parishes to help others experience the love of God.

As a Diocesan-wide resource, Catholic Charities will address gaps in service and respond to people among us that others won’t serve. The Diocese will provide expanded outreach services for St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter and the Catholic Foundation will administer a grant program for homeless shelters and service providers throughout the Diocese.

We will renew our commitment to people in need by:

• Expanding our charitable outreach and services
• Providing addiction outreach services
• Addressing issues of homelessness

Expanding Our Charitable Outreach and Services: $2,550,000

The darkness of mental illness, emotional suffering and poverty are not limited to our major population areas. Yet, the current reach of Catholic Charities programs is often limited to larger population centers.

By expanding outreach programs will hope to provide new opportunities to serve more people each year. Through this commitment to expand outreach, Catholic Charities will:

• Establish a Catholic presence to respond to our Gospel call to serve others by addressing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy
• Enhance community relationships and actively engage parishes and community partners in strategies to respond to community and individual needs
• Bring the light of Christ in new ways to those who suffer from mental, financial or physical duress

Providing Addiction Outreach Services: $500,000

The pain of addiction and drug overdose deaths has reached epidemic proportions throughout the Diocese. Across Wisconsin, overdose deaths in 2018 are up 35% over last year. As a result, the growth of this epidemic has revealed a lack of trained alcohol and drug counselors in Northeast Wisconsin. These prevention and counseling services are needed now more than ever.

Catholic Charities will expand their services and programs to areas of the Diocese in greatest need including several rural communities that are not currently served by Catholic Charities. Addiction recovery services will be offered in communities that continue to suffer from a significant increase in instances of addiction and drug overdoses. This could include Green Bay, Marinette, Fox Cities and the Shawano areas.

Through additional alcohol and drug abuse counselors we will be able to cover areas most in need of these services. This may include the Green Bay metro area, Marinette, Fox Cities, the communities in and around Menominee County and Shawano as well as rural communities. This increase will support hundreds of people who are wrestling with addiction, as well as providing community information and quarterly healing workshops in these areas.

The benefits from these expanded services will be significant and include:

• A better community-wide understanding of addiction issues
• Live referrals for persons receiving services, providing these individuals with information about Catholic Charities, parish and other community-based services
• Successful completion of treatment programs from more than half of those receiving counseling

Addressing Issues of Homelessness: $3,000,000

As missionary disciples, we are asked to introduce our brothers and sisters in faith to the joy of forming a relationship with Jesus Christ. If we are to be effective in bringing others to the Gospel, we must meet them where they are, understand the circumstances of their lives and seek to promote the presence of God through works of love and mercy.

The Diocese will provide $1,500,000 to enhance the programmatic outreach of St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Green Bay. In addition to serving more than five hundred people – many of whom have a diagnosed physical or mental disability – with more than fifteen thousand nights of shelter every year, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter also provides mental health services, alcohol and drug counseling and employment re-entry training. Funds provided to the shelter will be used to make necessary upgrades to the current facility and to create an endowment to ensure future services.

The remaining $1,500,000 will be made available, on a granting basis, to homeless shelters and homeless service providers within the Diocese. Grants will be considered and awarded based upon the projected impact of the specific issue that is being addressed, the ability of the solution to be scaled and replicated for other service providers, and the alignment of the project to the teaching and doctrine of both the Catholic Church and the mission and vision of the Diocese. The Catholic Foundation will manage this grant process.

The Diocese will provide $1,500,000 to enhance the programmatic outreach of St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter in Green Bay. In addition to serving more than five hundred people – many of whom have a diagnosed physical or mental disability – with more than fifteen thousand nights of shelter every year, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter also provides mental health services, alcohol and drug counseling and employment re-entry training. Funds provided to the shelter will be used to make necessary upgrades to the current facility and to create an endowment to ensure future services.

The remaining $1,500,000 will be made available, on a granting basis, to homeless shelters and homeless service providers within the Diocese. Grants will be considered and awarded based upon the projected impact of the specific issue that is being addressed, the ability of the solution to be scaled and replicated for other service providers, and the alignment of the project to the teaching and doctrine of both the Catholic Church and the mission and vision of the Diocese. The Catholic Foundation will manage this grant process.