CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President (Ex-Officio)
Executive Vice President (Ex-Officio)
Most Rev. John J. McIntyre – Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Heather Huot, MSW, LSW –
Secretary for Catholic Human Services
Secretary Susan McCrary
Treasurer Maura B. Kelly, CPA
MEMBERS
Matthew B. Aaron
Robert F. Byrne
Daniel Connelly
Ruben David
Jacqueline Delaney
John Delaney
Rev. Thomas Higgins
Gertrude (Trudy) Thorn Jackson
Robert J. Macri
John W. Meacham
Mark P. Nessel
Sister Kathleen Schipani, IHM
Thomas P. Sholes
Patricia R. Urrunaga
Timothy M. Walz
Ursula Yau
*Catholic Social Services Board of Directors as of 2024
NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
President (Ex-Officio) Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. Sullivan – Vicar for Retired and Infirmed Priests, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Secretary Susanne Santora Robinson
Treasurer Rosalind W. Sutch, CPA, MT
MEMBERS
Heather Huot, MSW, LSW –
Secretary for Catholic Human Services
Richard Van Fossen, Jr.
Sean Tamba Matthew, Esq.
Dr. Stephen J. Porth
Suzanne Santoro Robinson
Thomas P. Forkin
Raymond Tarnowski
Gina Christian
*Nutritional Development Services Board of Directors as of 2024
This report illustrates the impact of the SECRETARIAT FOR CATHOLIC HUMAN SERVICES
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
LETTER FROM HEATHER HUOT
SECRETARY FOR CATHOLIC HUMAN SERVICES
Dear Partners in Mission,
I invite you to take some time to read our 2023 Annual Report and reflect on how our divisions act as the hands of Christ in service to those most in need. In 2023, our programs touched the lives of approximately 653,000 of our sisters and brothers throughout the five-county region.
Since stepping into this role in January of 2024, I have spent much of my time on the road visiting our programs, witnessing firsthand the compassion of our staff, and listening to the stories of those we serve. In May, I had the pleasure of attending a Mother’s Day party at Visitation Homes, a ministry of Catholic Social Services that serves families experiencing homelessness. The mothers beamed with pride, posing for photos with their families dressed in their Sunday best and expressing their gratefulness for their homes and the support they now have to face life’s challenges. Our mission is a response to the call that Christ gave us to love one another, and this moment at Visitation Homes was a concrete expression of supporting our sisters and brothers with that Gospel love in the spirit of Missionary Discipleship.
We are deeply grateful to you for partnering with us in this mission. Your prayers, volunteer work, and financial support are critical components to carrying forward this incredible legacy that began back in 1797. Thank you for your continued support and genuine love for those in need. Together, we can and will continue to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.
May we continue to live each day with the compassionate love and charitable spirit of Christ in all that we do with and for our sisters and brothers.
Sincerely,
Heather Huot, MSW, LSW Secretary for Catholic Human Services
Thank you for helping us impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Nourishing the hungry and sheltering those experiencing homelessness
Enriching the lives of senior citizens
Strengthening and supporting at-risk children, youth and families
Empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
We couldn’t do this without you!
Catholic Human Services is guided by the Catholic faith to empower and uplift Philadelphia area neighbors with compassionate care and essential services by...
Transforming lives, inspiring hope and nourishing communities in 2023.
These are the stories of your impact...
NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (NDS)
Nourishing the Hungry with Summer Meals
During the summer months, NDS partnered with hundreds of sites throughout the Greater Philadelphia region to provide nutritious meals at no cost to children up to the age of 18. When the last school bell rings for the year and students put away their schoolwork to kick off their summer vacation, child hunger spikes because children lose access to school meals. Keeping children fed and hydrated is as important during the summer months as it is during the rest of the year. NDS sponsors a federally funded program during the summer that ensures children receive free, healthy meals to help close this gap. All meals meet federal nutrition requirements and include servings of grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and milk. Most summer meal sites also offer educational, enrichment, or recreational activities that keep children learning, active, and safe when school is not in session.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES (CSS)
Enriching the Lives of Senior Citizens at a Catholic Housing and Community Services’ Senior Center
Norris Square Senior Center celebrated its Golden Jubilee in December 2023. For the past five decades, the Center has been a bright beacon of faith and hope for seniors in the North Philadelphia community. Open every weekday, seniors can visit for a nutritious home-cooked lunch, enriching recreational activities, weekly Mass, and direct assistance in applying for benefits. Norris Square plays a vital role in seniors’ lives, helping them stay active, maintain their independence, and foster connections with fellow seniors.
“I do volunteer work, dance and entertain, I serve coffee. I like to be active and involved, and I like to help people. I make people smile, and I am blessed.” -Julia Ponce, President of the Center’s Advisory Council
Strengthening and Supporting Families Through Catholic Community Services
Catholic Community Services hosted its 10th Annual Operation Bundle Up on December 2, 2023. More than 1,000 winter coats and accessories were distributed to nearly 400 families. Over a dozen community organizations and partners contributed items and participated in the event, highlighting the value of community collaboration. Notably, CSS’ Saint Francis & Saint Vincent outpatient mental health program provided mental health screenings. This festive, fun-filled day featured a DJ, refreshments, a freemarket table, children’s activities, and a visit from Santa Claus. Catholic Community Services is the Community Umbrella Agency (CUA #4) designated by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services to serve dependent children and families in the Greater Northeast section of Philadelphia.
Sheltering those Experiencing Homelessness at Women of Hope and Mercy Café
Women of Hope (Lombard) is a residential Safe Haven for young women aged 18-24 experiencing homelessness with a mental health diagnosis. Referred through the City’s Department of Behavioral Health, Street Outreach, and other shelters, these women can stay for up to a year and receive case management services, life skills training, employment support, and housing navigation assistance.
Additionally, the Mercy Café Day Service provides daily lunch and shower/clothing services twice a week to any woman experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Mercy Café also hosts monthly “Queen for a Day” luncheons with games and raffles. Parishes are encouraged to sponsor and volunteer at these luncheons. This vital support helps young women build a foundation for a brighter future.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2023
Year ending June 30, 2023
Thank you to the individual donors and foundations that help make our work possible!
GRANTS, DONATIONS & BEQUESTS
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
APPEAL, TRUSTS AND OTHER SOURCES
FEES FOR SERVICE
$7,765,326
$77,127,635
PROGRAMS
& HOMELESS
CATHOLIC HUMAN SERVICES COMMUNITY IMPACT IN 2023
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
240 people connected to STABLE and AFFORDABLE HOUSING
12,026 parents received BABY CARE ITEMS
33,874 PERSONAL CARE and FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS distributed
6,889 clients received PREGNANCY and PARENTING SERVICES
28,538 households received GROCERIES
435 seniors resided in AFFORDABLE HOUSING FACILITIES
$22,917,256
$17,245,722
$16,138,862
$8,552,029
$8,179,698
$150,161,202
A special thanks to our Foundation partners, including the Riley Family Foundation.
1,507 IN-HOME SERVICES to dependent and at-risk children and youth
354 people experiencing homelessness were given SHELTER
2,208 seniors served in SENIOR CENTERS and PARISH PROGRAMS
546 youth served in AFTER SCHOOL and SUMMER CAMP 148 youth served in GROUP HOMES
475 Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served through RESIDENTIAL, COMMUNITY AND DAY PROGRAMS.
NUTRITIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
5,608,439 MEALS served by the NDS Federally Funded Child Nutrition Programs
$240,600 in direct assistance for RENT, MORTGAGE, and UTILITIES 1,895,410 MEALS served by the Community Food Program
total NDS MEALS SERVED + =
TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY CHS
clients +
653,275 individuals whose lives were POSITIVELY IMPACTED
Pictured here Brian Riley, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Barb Riley, and Bishop John J. McIntyre.
