COVID-19 One Year Later

Since March 2020, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson has been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19’s devastating effects in our communities.

The virus took its toll on millions of people. We experienced personal losses, including family members of employees, volunteers, and friends. Beloved Department for Persons with Disabilities volunteer (and our 2020 volunteer of the year), Martin Addison died on April 29th at just 44 years old. We continue to pray for Martin’s family and all families impacted by COVID-19. 

We hoped the shutdown would be quick and it wasn’t. The financial ramifications on our neighbors has been immense.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson is a unique organization, in that we have been there to protect the most vulnerable from this deadly virus and have been a shoulder to lean on for those who have been hit the hardest financially.

In the past year, we have never shut down and we have helped more people than any time in our 80-year history.

“We in no way would have been able to do this alone.  With the help of Bishop Sweeney and the Diocesan Faithful, volunteers, parishes, various benefactors, community service groups, our development office, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund and food and personal protective equipment donors including Vanguard Pharma, we have been able to persevere on,” said Bob Jacob, Executive Director of Catholic Family and Community Services.

Through this time, our 3 Food Pantries (Hope House, Dover; Fr. English, Paterson; and Partnership for Social Services, Franklin) have helped two hundred thirty-one thousand and thirty-two people (231,032), equaling five million five hundred fifty-one thousand and two hundred forty-eight meals (5,551,248).

After food, the second basic human need is shelter.  Here, we have been able to help thousands of individuals with rental assistance, utilities and short term hotel placement, including veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

When our programs for seniors, at-risk youth and small children closed their doors, we knew that we had to pivot our services to continue to provide support. We’ve served 250 seniors daily hot meals in our Meals on Wheels’ program, delivered three bags of food to our 667 seniors in Paterson bi-weekly, and offered virtual programming to children of all ages. 

We also established a new program, Hope and Healing Counseling, to provide support for those directly impacted by the pandemic.

We have kept the most vulnerable among us safe at the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD). Our staff have worked diligently and bravely to provide help and create hope for over 360 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout New Jersey.

“Our employees’ dedication and compassion does not go unnoticed during the uncertain times we have faced this past year. Our staff throughout DPD and Catholic Charities are what makes our ministry so special. They are among the heroes of this pandemic. I see the smiling faces of the people who live at DPD and those who attend Gruenert Center virtually. I see how happy they have been in extremely trying times and how safe and well cared for they remain, a testament to each of our staff members,” said Joanna Miller, Executive Director of the Department for Persons with Disabilities.

In the past year and a half, Straight and Narrow has endured a devastating fire and global pandemic, while continuing to confront the opioid epidemic and addiction crisis endangering our communities.  As the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center in the entire country, this important ministry has continued on.

“This has been a challenging year and our teams’ strength, motivation and resiliency is truly admirable. During these times of adversity, we all have come together to be of support to one another, provide comfort, strength, motivation and inspiration to our community.  We are blessed,” said Angela Nikolovski, Straight and Narrow Executive Director.

“Though we have begun to see a light at the end of the tunnel, the pandemic is far from over.  We will continue to work diligently to help the most vulnerable among us.  We are looking forward to the spring and summer, and as we approach Easter, a time of renewal and hope,” said Scott Milliken, Catholic Charities CEO.

Catholic Charities is looking forward to bringing back several live events, including the June Wiegand Farm Golf Classic and, along with the New Jersey Knights of Columbus the NJ Army Tank Pull benefitting Veterans in need. In September, Catholic Charities will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Hope House, which helps those most in need throughout Morris County.

The past year has been challenging, yet inspirational.  We are continuously motivated by the kindness and support of others. Times of adversity and crisis, is when our organization rises up to help those most in need. We consider ourselves blessed to do the important work we do.

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To contribute to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson please visit www.ccpaterson.org/donate.