Catholic Charities USA Awards $77K Grant to Disaster Response Program

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) announced the award of a long-term disaster recovery grant to Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton totaling $77,630.14; funds will be used to provide ongoing disaster recovery support for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  This grant represents monies collected over the past several years from Catholics throughout the U.S. in disaster-related collections sponsored by CCUSA and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

More than 30 months after Hurricane Sandy, there are still thousands of people who have not been able to return to their homes.  Numerous delays in government funding and under-funded insurance claims have depleted financial and emotional resources of affected individuals and families.  Homeowners are making both mortgage and rent payments and find themselves deeply in debt.  At the close of the second quarter of 2015, Catholic Charities New Jersey Disaster Case Management Program had 1,598 open cases, was able to successfully close 1,558 and provided information and referrals to 713 individuals. This grant will help insure that the agency can continue providing financial assistance and case management services to Sandy-impacted households.

Pictured above (left to right): After her house was destroyed by Hurrican Sandy, Marita Axten is welcomed back home by Catholic Charities Executive Director Marlene Laó-Collins as Axten’s son Joseph looks on.

Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities USA is committed to providing financial support to local Catholic agencies in their effort to provide response and recovery in the wake of natural or human-caused disasters in the United States and its territories. Through compassionate care and financial stewardship, donations sent to CCUSA are utilized to assist vulnerable populations affected by a disaster in meeting their immediate needs, preserving their human dignity, and recovering from the impact of the disaster. The agency provides national reach through local presence, helping to ensure that the United States Catholic community is at the forefront for helping to meet the disaster-related needs of those we serve.