client story

Catholic Housing Initiative and Catholic Charities Dallas Announces Grand Opening of St. Jude Center-Vantage Point

Dallas, TX — October 23, 2024 - Catholic Housing Initiative (CHI), together with Catholic Charities Dallas, is proud to announce the grand opening of St. Jude Center-Vantage Point in North Dallas. Permanent supportive housing and services is provided at the new facility to address homelessness in the city. St. Jude Center-Vantage Point is a home for 136 residents ages 18 and older. CHI acquired and renovated the former hotel property, transforming it into a safe, welcoming community. [...]

St. Jude provides path from homelessness to hope

Jane* had been homeless and living at the Austin Street Shelter when she was introduced to Catholic Charities Dallas for the first time. After spending more than three years in shelters and on the streets, Jane was overjoyed with the opportunity to move into St. Jude Forest.   St. Jude Center Forest Lane opened in August 2018. The center has 104 efficiency, residential units for individuals who are 55 and over. Jane was among the first residents to [...]

2024-02-17T14:16:45-06:00Client Stories|

My journey to becoming a volunteer at Mater Maria

I think my journey to Mater Maria began with my mother – my mom was an amazing woman with a strong commitment to her faith and a devotion to our Blessed Mother, but I didn’t learn how strong her faith really was until it was tested. On August 26th, 2007, after a relatively minor diagnostic procedure, my mother was left paralyzed from her waist down. In my eyes, that day changed everything for her – she loved [...]

2024-02-27T11:04:52-06:00Testimonials|

Rhoda

My experience at Mater Maria was a lot to learn from regarding my personal and spiritual life. I moved into the house on June 3rd, 2017; I was just four months pregnant with difficulties when I moved in, and I had my baby on November 21st, 2018. When I moved in, I met the director in person - Marthalicia Burkle. She’s indeed a mother/Grandmother; she made me feel good by praying with me the very first day [...]

2024-02-27T10:57:25-06:00Testimonials|

Payton

When I was referred to the home, I was attending Winfree Academy Charter School. I had only a handful of credits to complete before I accomplished my high school diploma. Shortly after I found out I was expecting, I spoke with my school counselor. I expressed to her that the home I was living in was not suitable for my unborn baby, although I was with a loving and supporting family member. I knew I could give [...]

2024-02-27T11:04:47-06:00Testimonials|

After School Program sparks learning leaps for young girl

Dariana registered at her community school in January 2022. However, since English was her second language and she struggled with reading, she was enrolled in kindergarten instead of first grade with other students her age. At the end of the school year, Dariana had not progressed as she should and needed to repeat kindergarten. After seeing her daughter's challenges in the classroom, Dariana's mother began looking for an after-school tutoring program. Dariana started attending CCD’s After School [...]

2024-02-02T16:24:40-06:00Client Stories|

Children’s Services reunites family after years-long separation

Omid grew up in Afghanistan and lived with his father, stepmother, and extended family. He never imagined leaving, but when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, 14-year-old Omid decided to flee to escape the turmoil and upheaval in the country.    Omid and his friends were able to board an outgoing plane during the evacuation, which took him to Qatar. He stayed on a military base there for 15 days before coming to the United [...]

2024-01-29T13:45:55-06:00Client Stories|

Mother learning to help her children thrive thanks to Together We’re Better

Susana has always believed in helping her children learn and grow. She is the mother of two young children and is expecting another child. Susana was thrilled to learn about the Together We're Better (TWB) program several months ago and immediately signed up to participate. Together We're Better is a mobile 16-week program that equips parents of children under five with the necessary parenting tools, hands-on literacy experiences, case management, and free basic needs (diapers and food) [...]

2024-01-14T21:12:20-06:00Client Stories|

Community Health Clinic providing compassion, healthcare to those in need

The Community Health Clinic (CHC) has provided compassionate and high-quality health care to vulnerable and underserved families in Collin County for nearly 20 years. Last spring, CHC and Catholic Charities Dallas (CCD) formed a strategic alliance to allow for the sharing of administrative resources, expertise, and personnel, creating economies of scale while also increasing access for both organizations’ clients. Juanita is one of the clients CHC has served over the years. When Juanita's husband passed away, her [...]

2024-01-12T16:56:14-06:00Client Stories|

New mother overcomes challenges with help from CCD programs

Aida faced a challenging situation when she arrived in the United States from Cuba while eight months pregnant. She needed to find care for herself and her baby quickly. Luckily, she learned about Catholic Charities Dallas's Parenting in Action classes in October 2023 and began attending them. Aida was also eligible for services through our Refugee Health Promotions Program (RHP). This program teaches clients how to navigate the healthcare system, including how to apply for health insurance, [...]

2023-12-21T09:29:03-06:00Client Stories|

After years of homelessness, Catholic Charities Dallas helps client find home

Catholic Charities Dallas’ Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is a long-term assistance and support services program that houses chronically homeless clients. EHV provides intensive case management to support, refer, and work toward housing stability.   When Antonio Moore first connected with Catholic Charities Dallas in March 2022, he had been homeless for years and was living in the Meyers Jeffries encampment in South Dallas. While living in the encampment, he met a member of the city of Dallas’ Street [...]

2023-07-02T11:57:13-05:00Client Stories|

International Foster Care Program building life-long skills

Catholic Charities Dallas’ International Foster Care program provides foster care and independent living placement to Unaccompanied Refugee Minors in the Children’s Services program, primarily aged 14 to 21. This week, our International Foster Care program held their Summer Life Skills Camp for unaccompanied refugee and immigrant youth in our care. The camp is a unique opportunity to provide our young adults with lessons about life skills they’ll need to become confident and independent members of our society. At [...]

2023-06-15T16:12:28-05:00Client Stories|

Formerly homeless senior finds new home thanks to CCD and community partners

The CCD Brady Senior Services empowers adults 60 years and older to maintain their independence by providing services that focus on health and wellness for aging adults. Located in West Dallas at the CCD Marillac Community Center, Brady Senior Services offers a safe and loving community for seniors during the week. That community and support doesn’t stop when the doors close. Our client Tim, who has participated in our senior services programs for the last six years, knows [...]

2023-06-14T13:40:34-05:00Client Stories|

International Foster Care – What’s it all about?

Photo of Children's Services client, Tiblets Abreha, who arrived at Catholic Charities Dallas five years ago as an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor from Eritrea. She is now a cross country runner at the University of North Texas. Today we are talking with Angela Fox, who leads the International Foster Care program at Catholic Charities Dallas. Angela, thank you for meeting with me today to talk about the International Foster Care program? Thank you, [...]