Catholic Charities Cares 2003
President's Letter

Catholic Charities and our member agencies had a very challenging 2002 - with many new initiatives and accomplishments - but it saddens me that the needs of the most vulnerable among us continue to grow at an alarming rate and our help and support have never been more necessary.

On these pages is a summary of services and activities undertaken by Catholic Charities and our agencies in 2002 - our collective efforts to assists families, children and youth, immigrants and refugees, the elderly, young mothers and persons with special needs.

These are not mere abstract numbers. Each of the statistics on these pages represents human lives - each life deserving of real justice and dignity.

If there is one overriding need that has been identified over and over, it is the pressing and fundamental need for more and better housing. Supportive and affordable housing, and the needs of youth, will be Catholic Charities priorities in the upcoming year.

These priorities were not arrived at in a vacuum.

In the past year, our newly formed Social Justice and Advocacy Committee initiated a research project to better understand the many issues and needs of our community. Early studies indicated supportive and affordable housing as a key need that cuts across all services areas, and Social Justice and Advocacy is developing a plan to discuss these findings with the leaders of the provincial parties.

In addition, Catholic Charities is working to improve our annual Allocations process. In the past year, we consulted with our agency partners and others in the community. We reviewed existing policies and procedures. In short, we used our heads and our hearts, and as we go forward to the upcoming year, we believe that funding will find its way even more effectively to those who need it the most.

Last summer, we were joyous participants in World Youth Day. Catholic Charities volunteers and staff welcomed pilgrims, and organized a guided walk through the heart of Toronto entitled, “The Sacred and the Secular.” We also hosted forums at Providence Centre and Loyola Arrupe.

We are very proud of our new website, www.catholiccharitiestor.org. As it evolves, we hope that it will enhance communication between Catholic Charities and our member agencies, act as a soapbox for agency issues and needs, and provide communication to the Catholic and broader community.

I also want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts in facilitating Parish Social Ministry. Last year, over 70 parishes were supported in building or enhancing their social ministries, based on the gospel value of justice, and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

And, as always, heartfelt thanks to ShareLife, our member agencies, and all our volunteers and staff.

We go forward answering our baptismal call to serve.

Sincerely,

Larry MacInnis
President