Scenario Archive

Week of November 21st Scenarios

1. Mary is a senior citizen, who is a member of Catholic Charities’ Senior Day Program.  She is 90 years young and lives in a low-income senior housing building in Paterson.  If there is another senior in the building who is sick or upset, then Mary bakes a cake or makes a Jell-O mold and brings it to their apartment.  She is so very sweet - like the desserts she prepares. Mary does not have the funds to buy enough ingredients to continue this through this special time of year.  Can you help her spread joy this Christmas season?
2. No Veteran should ever be homeless. Catholic Charities Veterans’ Services provides supportive services to veterans with low incomes who are literally homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  They help dozens of veterans in need throughout the Diocese of Paterson and beyond each day.  When placing a homeless veteran in a new home, Catholic Charities puts together and provides care packages for the veteran or veteran family including food, silverware, flatware and other needed items. Can you help by making a donation to put together care packages this Christmas season?   
3. On Aug. 24, Straight and Narrow’s 410 facility was destroyed by a fire. Miraculously no one was hurt and Catholic Charities was able to continue to provide their recovery services. Fifty men from Straight and Narrow’s Halfway House were displaced and many donated items were destroyed. Straight and Narrow continues to persevere, rebuild and provide support for those in recovery. Can you help Straight and Narrow with a donation to continue to restock the many items that were destroyed a year and a half ago?
4. During the COVID-19 crisis, the staff at Department for Persons with Disabilities’ Gruenert Center day habilitation program have been conducting some virtual outings via Zoom to connect participants with places they are not able to visit in person due to their vulnerabilities. The program could use a mobile camera device, such as a GoPro for virtual outings. This unique gift would make a difference in the lives of 60 women and men with disabilities and their families.  Any level of support would make a difference!
5. Louis, 15, is a teenager who is helped by Catholic Charities At-Risk Youth Programs. Here he receives educational support, recreational opportunities and is guided by mentors and volunteers within the program.  “Catholic Charities has helped keep me off of the streets and I am so grateful,” Louis said.  Louis lives with his grandmother, and she like many other caregivers in this program, does not have much funds for Christmas.  Can you help support this program by making a donation to be used for Christmas gifts for tee3ns like Louis?
6. Catholic Charities has been able to assist thousands of individuals through their Emergency Support programs since the start of COVID-19.  They have given out more than $2 million to those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless, to assist with emergency hotel placements, rent, and utilities. Many of these individuals would also benefit from Shoprite or Walmart gift cards so they could purchase food, clothing and personal hygiene products. Can you help by making a donation?
7. Lilly is a single mother who has three daughters.  The middle daughter, who is 11, is severely autistic and requires constant supervision. This family has received services from Catholic Charities’ Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit as well as food and school supplies from Father English Food Pantry.  Lilly works part time due to the needs of her daughter. Lilly cannot afford to buy Christmas presents.  Can you help this family and others supported by our Special Child Health Services by making a donation?
8. Wehrlen House is a group home serving five individuals with intellectual disabilities. One of the residents is a 72-year-old woman. The furniture in her room is falling apart, and she does not have the funds to purchase new furniture. Can you help uplift her spirits this Christmas by making a donation?
9. Beth is a single mother of a 1-year-old child. Beth had a challenging childhood and struggled with addiction since she was a teenager.  Three weeks ago, Beth learned of Straight and Narrow’s Mommy and Me program, and soon after checked in. This program provides in-patient recovery services for women struggling with addiction, while dedicated staff provide care for their small children.  She is so grateful that she does not have to be separated from her baby while receiving treatment.  Can you help Beth and those receiving treatment at Straight and Narrow’s Mommy and Me Program by making a Christmastime contribution?
10. J.R. is an 18-year-old individual from Guatemala who fled to the United States to seek asylum after much abuse in his native country, including severe beatings and death threats for simply being who he is.  J.R. came to us when he was only 16, and Catholic Charities has worked with him to help him adjust to a vastly different culture. He is trying to catch up on his education and has dreams of success and happiness in the United States. Any gift that you can give will make a difference in J.R.’s life this Christmas
11. S .is a 67-year-old Serbian widower who is the father of a 42-year-old intellectually disabled son. Z.S. came to Catholic Charities more than a year ago seeking help in filing a time-sensitive special immigration application. Born in Yugoslavia, Z.S., with his wife, first utilized Catholic Charities Legal Services Program about 20 years ago to begin their process of becoming naturalized citizens. Sadly, Z.S. did not secure his legal status before his wife’s death in 2018.  When Z.S. reached out to Catholic Charities last year, he was in crisis. With his adult disabled son, he was living in a homeless shelter. Catholic Charities is working with this family to help them achieve their dream of becoming U.S. citizens. Your support will help Z.S. purchase a Christmas gift for his son during this challenging time.
12.  Catholic Charities’ Meals on Wheels supports homebound seniors throughout Sussex County. Through COVID-19, this vital program has continued to provide warm meals for seniors who are most in need. In addition to food, Meals on Wheels volunteers have provided companionship, safely visiting seniors and providing wellness checks.  Can you make a donation to support this vital program? 
13. At the (Knights of) Columbus House, a group home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one resident is an 83-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who loves to go on train rides. She is one of the longest-living residents in the history of the Department for Persons with Disabilities. Due to the pandemic, she has been unable to enjoy this activity. She would love a virtual reality headset (possibly compatible with a smart phone) to be able to virtually take a train ride anywhere in the world.  Can you help to make her Christmas wish come true with a donation?
14. Tonya is a single mother of two children at Catholic Charities’ Straight and Narrow Mommy and Me Program.  This program provides in-patient recovery services for women struggling with addiction, while the dedicated staff provides care for their small children. Tonya made the challenging decision to enter Straight and Narrow during the Christmas season. Can you help her and her babies and those served by the Mommy and Me Program by making a Christmastime donation?
15. Fitzpatrick House is a group home in Pompton Lakes where four individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live. During the pandemic, staff and the residents enjoy being creative with trying out new recipes. They would really enjoy an ice cream maker to increase their skills in dessert making. This act of kindness, with a donation to purchase this item, would be a wonderful pick-me-up during this challenging year.
16. Catholic Charities Senior day programs serve the needs of low-income seniors that live in Paterson. These programs are free to them and provide much needed socialization, food, and support to those in their golden years.  The pandemic and related health concerns have made it necessary to close the physical sites. Due to their economic status, virtual communication cannot take place, as the seniors cannot afford related technology. Please give to this program to help seniors better connect in the virtual world and increase their socialization with others.  Any donation would make a big difference, especially during the Christmas season when so many are separated from their families. 
17. Catholic Charities food pantries have given out over 1 million pounds of food since the start of COVID-19 and are helping more people than ever before in their history. They give food to those without anywhere else to turn, and provide dignity to those most in need.  One of the food pantry shoppers is A, a single mother whose husband passed away due to COVID-19. A has an 18 and 8 year old child.  A puts food on her table with support of the Fr. English Food Pantry. Can you help A and the thousands of people they serve by making a donation to purchase nonperishable food items?
18. The Family Success Center at Straight and Narrow provides a one-stop community center at no cost to individuals and families of Paterson and other communities.  Its goal is to strengthen and promote economic self-sufficiency through housing, parenting and prevention programs, medical care, and employment related services. Can you help support this program by making a Christmastime donation to help families in need?
19. Kelleher Supervised Apartments supports individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities in three separate apartments. They have three men who would like to have a Keurig Machine to make coffee and hot cocoa. One of the men, Greg, has Down syndrome and he loves being the resident chef and hosting social activities among his roommates. Greg has spoken at several parishes throughout the Diocese on behalf of the Diocesan Ministries Appeal.  This donation would brighten Greg's life and the lives of his fellow housemates, just in time for Christmas!
20. As the largest nonprofit treatment center in the United States, Straight and Narrow helps those struggling with addiction without ever charging a penny. This Christmas season, those receiving inpatient recovery services are making the challenging decision to get treatment at Christmastime when they could be home with their families.  Can you make a donation to help those served at this program?
21. Catholic Charities’ Hope House in Dover has been supporting the food insecure in Morris County for nearly 50 years.  They are helping more people than ever before in their history, many of them single mothers and children.  Can you help by making a donation to help  Hope House purchase food for Christmas?  Any level of support will go a long way! 
22. Murray House in Clifton is a group home providing care and support for five individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Clifton.  It is the longest running group home for adults with special needs in all of New Jersey.  Through COVID-19, the individuals who live at Murray House have mostly been sheltering in place.  Can you help by making a donation so that they can purchase household items including a new dinnerware set? 
23. Straight and Narrow in Paterson, an agency of Catholic Charities, is the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center in the entire country. Josh and Julie are a married couple who are both receiving treatment at Straight and Narrow’s inpatient recovery programs. Though in different locations, both are working diligently to get back on the Straight and Narrow path. Can you help Josh and Julie and those served by Straight and Narrow by making a Christmastime contribution?
24. Wallace House in Sparta is a group home within the Diocese where five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live. Due to their vulnerability, these adults have been remaining at home during the pandemic with little to no activities within the community. Would you consider donating a variety of board games and craft supplies to provide them some home entertainment during these difficult times?
25. Walsh House in Succasunna, is a group home that provides a loving safe place for five adults with different abilities and environmental challenges. This year has been difficult for many reasons.  Staff have worked alongside these great individuals to keep their minds and bodies active and thriving.  They have spent a lot of time outside on their deck.  They would love new outdoor furniture for spring to provide safe and comfortable recreational activities regardless of physical limitations and abilities. Thank you for your support!