We seek justice, and change lives.

Profile of a typical client

•  90% of households report incomes at or below $15,000 a year with the median household income at $4,200.
• Individuals/families receiving assistance from the Emergency Food Program are the “most vulnerable”:  seniors, persons with a disability living on fixed incomes, single parent households, the unemployed and the underemployed.
• Over 40% are female-headed households and one-third has at least one member with a physical or mental disability.
• 42% represent children between the ages of 0 and 5 years of age.

Process for obtaining food

The CSSW Emergency Food Program prides itself in treating those seeking food with dignity and respect.  We understand that those seeking food are not there by choice but by unfortunate circumstances.

• Eligibility is based on self-reported income and household size
• A brief needs assessment and satisfaction survey are completed to ensure basic needs are met
• Referrals and additional information is provided as appropriate
• Pantry is based on a supermarket style “shopping” system where clients select groceries they need
• Amount of food is determined based on self-reported household size

The waiting area provides computers and internet access as well as a play area for the children to further respect the dignity of our consumers

Julia ~ client profile

Things couldn’t get much worse. Julia tried rehab, but kept relapsing; her husband and kids left long ago. Because of her chronic alcohol addiction she couldn’t hold onto a job. At 55, suffering from major depression, Julia was homeless…

Individuals like Julia battling these and other challenges don’t have to end up isolated, living in shelters or on the streets. In Ann Arbor, the CSSW Housing Support Services (HSS) program helps tenants of Avalon Housing maintain permanent housing and maximize personal independence.

Specifically, the program works with each client to determine the type and level of assistance necessary to sustain independent housing. Services include helping Avalon tenants access rental assistance, providing transportation, connecting them with community and employment resources, or help with daily living tasks and medication management. Whatever the need, the HSS team is available 24 hours a day, every day, providing onsite intervention.

For Julia, it worked.

When she first came to Housing Support Services, she had been homeless for more than two years—staying in hotels, sleeping on people’s couches, living in shelters.  Catholic Social Services helped her to get back on her feet, get the medical help she needed for her depression and other issues and connected her with outside resources.

Nearly three years later, she has a place to call home. She is sober, secure and hopeful. Julia’s outlook remains positive because she’s no longer alone—Housing Support is there—whenever, however she may need a helping hand.

Danielle ~ client profile

Danielle is a 20-year-old single mother and full-time nursing student. She has plenty of good friends, works as a nurse’s aide, is on the college Deans List, and has a wonderfully healthy and happy three-year-old daughter, Leesa. Four years ago, however, her life couldn’t have been more different. A former honor student and standout volleyball player, Danielle started fighting with her family, drinking, skipping school, and getting booted from the team for letting her grades drop. Often, she didn’t even bother coming home at all.

Then she found out she was pregnant.

That’s when she came to Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) for help. Through the CSSW Father Patrick Jackson House program, she was given a stable home environment where she established a positive routine. Danielle went back to school, received prenatal care and counseling and enrolled in on-site parenting classes. She also began the task of repairing her broken family relationships.

A few months after her 18^th birthday, Danielle and Leesa moved into their first apartment with money she had saved while living at Father Pat’s. Two years later, she continues to excel in both work and school, determined to be the best role model possible for her little girl.  With the help she received through Catholic Social Services, this troubled teen has grown into a responsible young parent.

These stories are just a fragment of the clients we interact with every day. To accomplish our mission – to help people live safe, meaningful and independent lives, in a more just community – we need your help. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, donating or other ways to be a part of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, please visit our Donate page. We are so grateful to all of the members of our community that contribute to the mission of CSSW. We couldn’t change lives without your dedication and generosity!