The U.S. economy is in the worst shape in more than a
half-century. An unemployment rate in California of 12 percent is
causing misery among families, the state’s budget keeps edging
toward bankruptcy and homes are being foreclosed upon nearly
everywhere.
The U.S. economy is in the worst shape in more than a half-century. An unemployment rate in California of 12 percent is causing misery among families, the state’s budget keeps edging toward bankruptcy and homes are being foreclosed upon nearly everywhere. While the federal government has taken many steps to help out through its stimulus program, this is far from the complete answer. Fortunately, many charitable institutions are dedicated to assisting people in these hard times.
For more than 50 years, one religious organization has been focused on serving the poor in our region. Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose as its social service agency, has more than 400 employees and hundreds of volunteers serving families and individuals in need through an amazing number of targeted programs.
Periodically the agency invites interested community members on agency behind-the-scenes tours to learn more about its work. Last month, I was able to spend part of a day visiting two of its programs to see them in action.
Day Break is an adult day care program offered in downtown San Jose, Sunnyvale and at St. Francis of Assisi parish in San Jose’s Evergreen Valley. When a spouse or parent suffers from dementia, it may take a heavy toll on the rest of the family. Keeping the patient at home, rather than in a nursing facility, can be quite a burden, and the caregivers sometimes become ill from the constant responsibility. At Day Break the patient is carefully supervised and given daily opportunities to enjoy music, crafts, hot meals, exercise and intellectual/social stimulation for a fee based on family income. Meanwhile, family members can have some time on their own to do necessary tasks or to just relax.
The other site we visited was Pensione Esperanza, an apartment complex near downtown San Jose. Affordable housing is a critical need in Silicon Valley, and these 110 studio apartments are available to residents classified as “very low income.” Not a temporary homeless shelter, residents can continue to live in these units on an indefinite basis. Supportive housing services are available for those needing medical, financial or mental counseling. Since the units are quite small (approximately 250 square feet), there are several comfortable common spaces where residents can relax and socialize.
Catholic Charities offers services at more than 70 sites, including several in South County:
– The Gilroy Senior Center, 7371 Hanna St., is the location of a Senior Nutrition Program which provides inexpensive, well-balanced hot lunches on weekdays. There are also activities available all day for senior citizens like computer classes, dancing, games and aerobics.
– Immigration legal services are provided to residents at Gilroy’s St. Francis Center, 7950 Church St., where people can get help understanding and navigating through the complex laws regarding citizenship and work authorization.
– Morgan Hill’s El Toro Youth Center, 17620 Crest Ave., provides homework assistance, computer classes, as well as other recreational opportunities and social services to young people and their families.
– Depot Commons, 17145 Depot St., provides 13 units for very low-income single-parent families in a supportive environment that includes on-site childcare located across from Morgan Hill’s Caltrain Station. The three houses feature private bedrooms and bathrooms and shared living, dining and study areas.
Catholic Charities is involved in countless other efforts to serve the poor in Silicon Valley, including:
– Ombudsman Program provides trained volunteers who advocate for residents of nursing homes. They are the “eyes and ears” of the community in protecting vulnerable patients.
– Tax EZ offers free help in filing income taxes for low-income workers. This is particularly important because unless they file, they can’t collect the low-income tax credits they are entitled to.
– Step Up Silicon Valley is a coalition of 90-member organizations dedicated to cutting poverty in half by 2020 through a focus on food, housing, heath care, education and income.
– Focus for Work is an employment services program that prepares adults with mental illness to find and maintain employment. Staff works in partnership with employers to develop specific jobs that match the abilities of clients.
Despite its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, Catholic Charities is an independent, nonprofit organization and does not discriminate on the basis of religion, working to create a more just community for people of all cultures and beliefs.
To learn how you can help their efforts through tax-deductible financial donations or volunteer time, call (408) 944-0100 or visit www.catholiccharitiesscc.org.
