The Difference You’re Making for Neighbors in Need
2025
You Gave Patrick a Home—And a Fresh Start
After serving his country, Patrick faced an unexpected battle— finding a permanent home. But thanks to your generosity, he found the help he needed through Catholic Charities’ Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).
With personalized support and financial assistance, Patrick secured stable housing and began rebuilding his life. But your impact didn’t stop there. You helped him prepare for lasting success by making financial literacy classes and holiday care assistance available, giving him the tools and confidence to move forward on his own.
Because of you, Patrick didn’t just find a home—he regained his stability, independence, and peace of mind.
Today, Patrick is thriving in his permanent home, a testament to the power of faith, community, and second chances. And it all started with you.
Thank you for standing with Veterans like Patrick and ensuring they have the support they need to build a brighter future.
Thanks to you, Patrick found the support to rebuild his life.
YOU! This issue features stories of lives that have been impacted thanks to generosity!your
The love of Christ impels us (II Cor. 5:14) to serve our neighbors in need (Mt. 25: 31-46) –we cannot do otherwise (Deus Caritas Est, no. 25).
A Message from Debra Lemmon
As spring unfolds, we celebrate the incredible impact of your generosity on Catholic Charities and our shared mission of hope. In John 15:5, Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine, you are the branches… Without me, you can do nothing.” This truth shapes our Vineyard of Hope, where acts of compassion bear fruit in the lives of those in need.
Because of your support, our vineyard thrives. In this issue, you’ll read about lives transformed—like Renee, who not only receives food from our pantry but also serves homebound seniors; Noor, who found safety after fleeing Afghanistan; and Patrick, a Veteran who has secured a permanent home. These stories reflect the abundant harvest made possible through your generosity.
Yet, many still seek stability. Your partnership remains essential. Through your prayers, advocacy, and gifts, you plant seeds of hope, bringing healing and renewal to our neighbors. Together, we ensure no one walks alone on their journey toward a better future.
Thank you for being the hands and heart of Christ in our Vineyard of Hope. Together, we are building a lasting legacy of compassion.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Debra Debra Lemmon Regional Director – Charlotte
You Gave Noor and His Family Safety— And a New Beginning
Noor once lived a good life in Kabul, Afghanistan. He had a stable job as a welder, a home where his five children played, and a community where his family felt safe. But when the Taliban regained power, everything changed.
Because of his work with a U.S. military subcontractor, Noor knew his life—and the lives of his family—were in danger. After years of uncertainty and a difficult journey through Pakistan, his family was finally granted permission to resettle in the U.S. They arrived in Charlotte with only what they could carry, filled with hope but also uncertainty about the road ahead.
Because of your generosity, Catholic Charities welcomed Noor and his family with open arms, securing a home for them, helping them navigate essential services, and providing Noor with the resources to find a job. Volunteers from St. Peter’s Refugee Ministry surrounded the family with support, guiding them through everyday tasks—like buying groceries, attending doctor’s appointments, and enrolling their children in school—until they gained confidence in their new lives.
Thanks to you, Noor and his family are building a future filled with promise. His eldest daughter is enrolled in college and studying to become a dental hygienist. His other children are working hard in school, each with big dreams. His youngest, who has cerebral palsy, is receiving the therapy he needs to grow stronger.
“My dream is for my children to finish their studies,” Noor says. “I want them to become good people and serve this country. And my youngest son will become healthy.”
Your compassion gave them more than safety— you gave them the chance to dream again.
A Full Belly, a Full Heart: The Power of Giving and Receiving
At Catholic Charities’ Food Pantry, your generosity does more than provide food—it creates opportunities for our community to serve one another in love.
Just ask Renee.
For over two years, Renee has come to the pantry not only to receive food for herself but also to deliver meals to 10 homebound seniors who have no transportation. Because of your generosity, she is able to ensure that her neighbors don’t go hungry. But she delivers more than just meals—she brings dignity, connection, and hope to those who might otherwise be forgotten.
Your kindness makes this possible. Every meal you help provide brings comfort, every item of food offers peace of mind, and every act of generosity strengthens our community. Because you give, Renee can serve. Because you care, vulnerable
seniors are nourished— not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
With your support, Catholic Charities is more than a food pantry— it’s a place where dignity is restored, and kindness is shared.
Because of you, Renee is not only nourished—she’s nourishing others.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 Carmel Country Club, Charlotte Learn more at www.ccdoc.org/VOH
The love of Christ impels us (II Cor. 5:14) to serve our neighbors in need (Mt. 25:31-46) –we cannot do otherwise (Deus Caritas Est, no. 25).
You Gave Patrick a Home— And a Fresh Start You Gave Noor and His Family Safety—And a New Beginning