ADOPT A FAMILY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Low income families living in the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux who need assistance with Christmas toys for their children during the holiday season can sign up at one of the toy drive locations nearest their home. Associate Director: Jennifer Gaudet: 876-0490
ASSISI BRIDGE HOUSE (ABH) - Assisi Bridge House is a residential halfway house for chemically dependent men.
Associate Director: Bro. John Olsen Phone: 872-5529
INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM (ILP) - The Independent Living Program is a transitional program for people who have successfully completed the Assisi Bridge House program.
Associate Director: Bro. John Olsen Phone: 872-5529
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CENTER (SOUTH LAFOURCHE) - Catholic Community Center is a food and clothing crisis center in South Lafourche. Some outreach and counseling services are available and also support in time of disaster. Manager: Juila Mayet; Phone: 632-6859
CATHOLIC HOUSING SERVICES (CHS) - Catholic Housing Services provides assistance for middle & low-income people who wish to become homeowners. The program also provides pre-purchase & post-purchase counseling for home buyers, and assistance in getting the best terms for a mortgage. Clients may register by phone and will be notified by mail when classes are scheduled.
Associate Director: Paula Ringo Phone: 876-0490
COASTAL ENTREPRENEURS' NET TO SUCCESS (C.E.N.T.S.) - C.E.N.T.S. is a self-employment, entrepreneurs' program that provides training to support the development and growth of legitimate small or micro businesses. Program Manager: Brooks Lirette Phone: 876-0490
FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM - The Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for low-income persons, age 60 & over, to give supportive services to children in schools, day care centers, Head Start programs, or hospital settings.
Associate Director: Van Johnson
Administrative Assistant: Allice Williams Phone: 876-0490
GOOD SAMARITAN FOOD BANKS - Three Ecumenical (interchurch) food banks in Thibodaux (TSCC), Raceland (CLIO) & Houma (TCU) provide food & household items and other support to families in crisis - mainly while they are waiting to receive food stamps. Budget counseling is also available.
Food Bank Manager:
Emma Hadley & Melodia Benoit- Thibodaux: 447-9776
Melodia Benoit - Raceland: 537-7706
Reynold Pitre - Houma: 851-5523
For assistance with food in the Morgan City area, contact St. Mary Parish Outreach: 385-0525
INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA) - FREE income tax preparation and e-filing is available to low/moderate income workers during tax season every year. Associate Director: Jennifer Gaudet: 876-0490.
INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY ASSISTANCE - Budget Counseling and/or financial assistance is available for people experiencing temporary financial crisis due to a situation that occured that was beyond their control (ex: loss of employment, accidents, or illness). Clients should contact the church nearest their home to request assistance. Only short term assistance is available (see also Project Self Help below).
Associate Director: Jennifer Gaudet Phone: 876-0490
MATERNITY AND ADOPTION COUNSELING - Counseling for people dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.
Adoptive placements with Catholic Couples in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, when infants are surrendered for adoption.
Pre-placement Home Studies for intercountry adoptions.
Administrator: Robert D. Gorman Phone: 876-0490
PROJECT SELF HELP - Financial assistance is provided for people who need to further their education or obtain items needed to begin employment.
Associate Director: Jennifer Gaudet Phone: 876-0490
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY APPLICATION ASSISTANCE - Individuals who are recently disabled and are considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits are encouraged to contact our office for FREE assistance in helping with your application. Don't risk getting denied the first time around! Associate Director: Jennifer Gaudet: 876-0490
ST LUCY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER - Pre-school, Nursery and Child Development Services for children ages 1 to 5 years to provide opportunities for parents to find jobs, attend school, and/or participate in training programs. Licensed as a Class A facility.
Center Director: Robert Gorman Phone: 876-1246 or 876-0490
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (CCHD) - The Catholic Campaign for Human Development was founded in 1969 by the U.S. Bishops to eliminate poverty by addressing its root causes. The Campaign funds self- help initiatives by low-income groups and educates those who are not poor about justice, solidarity, and the causes of poverty. The annual collection, held in November, funds both local and national grants for projects to address root causes of poverty. Diocesan Director: Robert D. Gorman Phone: 876-0490
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES' OPERATION RICE BOWL - Catholic Relief Services is the international development and relief agency of the U. S. Bishops. When disaster strikes in other countries, CRS brings key help to
local governments (where invited) to assist the people. In 99 countries around the world, CRS maintains offices to develop the capacity of the people to meet their own needs in the areas of nutrition, health, education, agriculture, HIV/AIDS, peace-building, and microfinancing. Parishioners in the U.S. participate in these works through the Lenten Operation Rice Bowl program, Fair Trade goods, financial support to CRS projects and emergency relief efforts, and advocacy. Operation Rice Bowl also provides funds for local grants that share in the mission of CRS.
Diocesan Director: Phone: 985-876-0490
DIOCESAN DISASTER SERVICES - In times of such disasters as hurricanes, tornadoes and floods, Catholic Charities is the agency responsible for coordinating the diocesan response to assist the victims of the disaster.
Diocesan Director: Robert Gorman Phone: 876-0490
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION/ACTION - A separate program (though incorporated into all programs of Catholic Charities) focuses on environmental issues and what our faith tells us about the care for and destruction of all aspects of God's creation.
Besides helping people understand the connections between all of creation and our faith, CCHT staff is involved within our own diocese and on a state and national level in helping address environmental hazards and concerns.
Executive Director: Robert D. Gorman Phone: 876-0490
PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY - The responsibility of the PSM staff is to assist parishes in integrating the social mission of the parish into all aspects of the life of the parish:
Leadership Training and Education: Help parishes come to a better understanding of the social mission of the parish through:
- Education regarding the principles of Catholic social teaching; see powerpoint on racism
- Familiarity with the US Catholic Bishop's pastorals and other statements;
- Linking key parish social ministers with national organizations that provide ongoing updates on issues that link every day life with the social teachings of the Scriptures and the Church;
- Providing assistance to parishes to develop a Parish Social Concerns Committee and providing needed training for those committees;
- Parish Organizing: Provides assistance to parishioners to organize to respond to local social concerns such as crime, drugs, or abandoned housing by helping the parish link with Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing (BISCO);
- Confirmation Presentations: Presentations to confirmation students to help them integrate their faith with action. Associate Director Stu King: Phone: 876-0490
IMMIGRATION / REFUGEE - Catholic Charities recognizes the vulnerability and need for assistance of many who are immigrants or refugees in this area. CCHT staff will work to address issues of human trafficking, adequate housing, families separated by deportation, language instruction, and legal assistance for basic needs.
PRISON MINISTRY - Catholic Charities seeks to minister to all persons associated with the criminal justice system through principles of restorative justice. Prison ministry programs are active for adults in the Terrebonne Work Release facility on Savanne Road and at the jail at the Courthouse Annex in Houma, in the Work Release Facility in Central Lafourche and in the St. Mary Parish Prison (ministered through the Diocese of Lafayette). Prison ministry is also active at the Juvenile Justice facilities in Ashland and Thibodaux. For more information on prison ministry, or to volunteer, contact Deacon Chris Prestenback (deaconchris@gmail.com).
For information about individual and family assistance services available in the community to the families of people who are incarcerated or for people who are recently released, contact Jennifer Gaudet at Catholic Charities (876-0490).
Associate Director: Phone: 985-876-0490