Scenario Archive

1. Catholic Charities’ food pantries have given out more than 2 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-year-old and 8-year-old. A. puts food on her table with support of the Father English Food Pantry in Paterson. Can you help A. and the thousands of people Catholic Charities serves by making a donation to purchase nonperishable food items?

2. O’Connor Hall is a men’s residential halfway house located in Passaic that houses up to 50 men in recovery. J. is a 38-year-old father of two, who after a lifelong battle with addiction is clean and sober for the first time in a decade. J. loves to cook and your support will allow Catholic Charities to purchase bakeware for him to take home. Your kindness will make a great difference in J.’s life as well as those served at Catholic Charities.

3. The S. family is a family of two. The one-year-old baby has Sickle Cell Anemia and has had five hospitalizations lasting several days each over this past year. Mom is unable to work due to her son’s medical needs. They would appreciate age appropriate toys and/or clothing in sizes boys 18 months or 2T.

4. “I am a senior who lives in a low-income housing building in Paterson. I have been receiving food from Catholic Charities senior food bank program since April 2020. I don’t know what I would do without the food being delivered to my door. I am so grateful for their kindness and not forgetting about me as well as all the other seniors in this building. I cannot believe they are able to still give us food. What a blessing!” Please consider making a donation to support this senior citizen and those served by Catholic Charities.

5. 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’s family, including food, flatware, and other needed items. Can you help by making a donation to put together care packages for these veterans this Christmas season?

6. J., a 50-year-old service recipient at Hope House in Dover and a cancer survivor has to work to raise her two children; she is employed periodically part time. She came to the Hope House food pantry for help. She is a warrior raising her two children. Your contribution will help us purchase gift cards for J. to buy warm clothes and food.

7. The M. family is supported by a single mother who can only work part time due to the needs of her children both of whom have autism and severe asthma. Winter coats are on their Christmas wish list this year. Can you make a donation so they can stay warm this winter?

8. Walsh House in Succasunna is a Department for Persons with Disabilities group home that provides a safe and loving place for five adults with different abilities and environmental challenges. These past few years have been difficult and many changes have affected the residents’ lives. It has been a challenge to keep everyone’s minds and bodies active, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As a way to travel and learn, yet stay safely at home, they would love a virtual reality headset for Christmas. This would be a great way for them to see the world and keep their minds curious and their bodies safe.

9. Basile Supervised Apartments are two condominiums in Wayne where six individuals with intellectual and developmental dis[1]abilities live. Each unit supports three individuals. Three of the men enjoy social nights and more specifically movie nights. The living room furniture in one of the apartments is wearing out and they could use a new set. Donations for new furniture would brighten their lives and get them ever so comfy just in time for Christmas.

10. The Paterson Adult Day Center helps seniors who have limited support in the heart of Paterson. This program is now open again after being closed for almost a year and a half. M., one of the seniors, said, “I am not depressed anymore like I was when I was home all by myself now that the center is open.” However, the other day M. was putting on her coat at the end of the day to go home and she started to cry. The staff asked why was she crying and M. responded, “I love the center so much and I do not want to go home.” Can you help by making a donation this Christmas to support M. and those served at the Paterson Adult Day Center?

11. “R.” is a 59-year-old woman. She has been a client of Hope House in Dover for 10 years. She has many health conditions. She is an extremely hard worker; working two jobs with a prosthetic leg. When she is not working, she is taking care of her elderly mother. She is always putting other people before herself. Her goal is to find her own apartment; however, she fears leaving her mother alone. She would benefit from a gift card to allow her to purchase gifts for her mother. Can you help Rose and those served at Hope House by making a donation?

12. “Family C.” is a family of three. There is a mother and two sons. The oldest son has autism and a seizure disorder requiring him to wear a helmet for safety. A donation to the Christmas Sharing Fund will make this family’s Christmas bright!

13. The service recipients at Straight & Narrow in Paterson have shown dedication to their sobriety, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and have demonstrated positive changes despite challenging times. Straight & Narrow is in need of care packages for those checking into its in-patient recovery program. Each care package includes toiletries, socks, undergarments, and snacks. A gift to The Beacon’s Christmas Sharing Fund will make a difference in the lives of those fighting addictions.

14. Murray House is a group home providing care and support for five individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Clifton, operated by the Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD), an agency of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Paterson. The residents there would really appreciate a new smart TV so they may gather together to participate in the DPD’s Zoom Catholic Adult Education (CARE) program and to practice their faith with other religious programming as well. Can you make a donation to the Christmas Sharing Fund so Murray House can purchase this TV?

15. Wehrlen House is a DPD group home serving five women with intellectual disabilities in West Milford. One of the residents is a 73-year-old woman who would love to have a new white dresser with a mirror for her bedroom. A donation to the Christmas Sharing Fund will go a long way to making her Christmas special.

16. “M.” is a 65-year-old male served by Hope House in Dover. He has been part of the Hope House family for many years. He is HIV positive and has been diagnosed with a spinal injury. His parents are living in Florida with severe health conditions. He travels a couple times a year to visit and helps to take care of them. Sitting on an airplane causes him severe pain. He is in need of a gift card to be able to purchase himself a carry-on suitcase and backpack. Your support will help Michael and those served at Hope House.

17. Catholic Charities has been able to assist thousands of individuals through their Emergency Support programs since the start of COVID-19. It has given out more than $3 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?

18. Straight & Narrow’s Residential Treatment Program for men in Paterson, an agency of Catholic Charities, provides up to 135 beds for men in recovery. Recently, a new agriculture and nutrition group was added to the clinical schedule to help incorporate physical wellness into their clients’ recovery. Your donation will allow them to purchase food, cook- ware, and learning materials for this important group for Christmas and beyond.

19. 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. The residents would really enjoy having an ice cream maker to increase their skills in dessert making. Your donation to the Christmas Sharing Fund will make this possible.

20. At Columbus House in Jefferson Township, a group home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, one resident is an 84-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who loves to go on train rides. Due to the pandemic, she has been unable to enjoy this activity. For Christmas, 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 make a donation to make her Christmas wish come true?