Faith in Action
Our mission: Grounded in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, Catholic Charities New Hampshire responds to those in need with programs that heal, comfort and empower.
cath•o•lic
/‘kæθlik/ adj. universal, ALL-embracing
Our neighbors – a veteran who is homeless, an isolated senior with nowhere to turn, an immigrant searching for a better life – are those that Jesus Christ commanded to love as ourselves.
Jesus’ call to love our neighbors is the ‘Why’ behind our Catholic Charities NH mission and inspires the work of all of our programs and services. Our hundreds of employees throughout New Hampshire come from many faiths and backgrounds, united by the desire to help our neighbors in need, and treating all with dignity and respect.
Creating a Just Society for All
The Church’s approach to building a just society for the poor, the vulnerable, and the disenfranchised centers on a set of seven universal principles, called Catholic Social Teaching, that guide how we treat those in need, regardless of their faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.
Our work does not focus on religious instruction, but rather on enacting the values represented by the principles below, helping our clients move their lives forward in all of our programs each day.
1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Human life is sacred and the dignity of the human person forms the basis for a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all of the Catholic Social Teaching principles.
Faith in Action: Liberty House
Liberty House is a safe haven that provides substance-free housing and assistance around everyday needs to help veterans facing homelessness and other daily struggles get back on their feet, regain their independence and build stable futures.
“For many of our Veterans, their purpose in life was largely defined for them in the service. Transitioning to civilian life can make finding their own purpose challenging, especially when struggling with PTSD or substance misuse. We work to help our residents find that purpose and recapture their dignity through healing, finding meaningful work and eventually securing permanent housing.”
– Jeff Nelson, Executive Director
“We’ve put ourselves in a situation in life where we don’t want to be and we don’t feel good about ourselves. So, to be able to come here and regain a sense of who you are and the future of what you could be – you get your potential back and that’s a beautiful thing.”
– Anthony, former Liberty House client
2. Call to Family, Community & Participation
People have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. Marriage and family are vital institutions that must be supported and strengthened.
Faith in Action: Our Place
Our Place nurses and social workers equip families with pregnancy, parenting and life skills education, building the stability and confidence to create nurturing and safe environments for their children.
“Our program is focused on supporting and strengthening the family, beginning with education for parents on staying healthy throughout pregnancy and having positive birth outcomes. The subsequent focus on parenting knowledge and skills serves to prevent child neglect and abuse; create loving, caring, safe homes; and build a strong family foundation.”
– Karen Munsell, Supervisor
“Because we attended this program, most situations we encounter as parents are not new concepts. The staff instilled in us the knowledge and confidence to know we can handle anything that may come our way.”
– Femi, former Our Place client
3. Rights and Responsibilities
Human dignity can be protected only if human rights are protected. From these rights come duties and responsibilities to one another, to our families and to the larger society.
Faith in Action: CareGivers
CareGivers provides homebound and disabled seniors with food delivery, transportation and emotional support so they can continue to live independently in their own homes and know that they are not alone.
“Everyone has a right to be cared for and to have basic necessities, especially our seniors. CareGivers gives our volunteers the opportunity to be part of the solution. Through food deliveries, giving rides and providing emotional support, the seniors we help can both make ends meet and know that society has not forgotten them. It’s an enormous impact.”
– James Wilkie, Executive Director
“I cannot imagine CareGivers not being in my life. I desperately need those rides and can always use the extra food. Being alone, it can be tough financially and there are those bills that don’t go away. I have to pay rent, electricity and my oncology bills. Without the assistance from CareGivers, I might crumble.”
– Elaine, CareGivers client
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
A basic moral test of a society is how its most vulnerable members are faring. Jesus instructs us to put the needs of the poor and the vulnerable first.
Faith in Action: New Generation
New Generation is a shelter and transitional housing facility for pregnant women, single mothers and small children experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, substance misuse and other challenges. We provide a safe, caring and motivating environment for these women to get back on their feet and build self-sufficient futures for themselves and their children.
“New Generation is a place for second chances, an opportunity for mothers and their children to start again, no matter what their background is, or what situation they are coming from. It’s a place to dream about what they can become with their children and have all the support that they need to achieve those dreams.”
– Elsy Cipriani, Executive Director
“I was the type of person who was afraid to ask for help but New Generation made me feel comfortable and safe to be there. They give all of us women a bunch of hope, pushing us as parents and human beings to be able to make a better future for our kids, because that’s really what it’s all about.”
– Abi, former resident
5. Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Work is more than making a living, it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. The dignity of work must be protected and the basic rights of workers must be respected.
Faith in Action: Community Services
Community Services provides compassionate guidance and support that addresses a person’s urgent needs, while helping shift the fundamental dynamics of their life to create pathways out of poverty – such as securing and maintaining meaningful employment or attaining education goals – that can lead to long-term success.
“For most people, work is the prime path to self-sufficiency and our Community Services program reflects that. We also advocate for people in circumstances when their rights are not being respected. It is a natural outgrowth of the dignity of life value that we need to recognize and honor in every person and in their circumstances.”
– Marc Cousineau, Executive Director
“I didn’t know where to turn. I was in danger of losing my home, but my outreach worker from Catholic Charities became my advocate, helping me move forward through referrals for employment and emergency assistance.”
– Former client
6. Solidarity
We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and loving our neighbor is a global imperative. This love demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
Faith in Action: Immigration Legal Services
For individuals eligible under federal law, our team of experienced immigration attorneys and legal professionals assist with various applications and petitions, including adjustment of status, visas, naturalization and family reunification.
“By welcoming and serving the stranger and advocating for social justice for immigrants, we help foster the idea of one human family.”
– Kimberly George, Esq, Managing Attorney
“Catholic Charities immigration services were very professional and understanding, and worked with me in providing all necessary information and documents to make my dream come true – to become an American citizen.”
– Clarise, former client
7. Care for God’s Creation
We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.
Faith in Action: New Hampshire Food Bank
The New Hampshire Food Bank feeds the hungry and food insecure throughout the entire state of New Hampshire, and has created innovative programs designed to fight the root causes of hunger by empowering people to become more self-sufficient and improve their quality of life.
“We go about our work with a conscious eye on our sustainability and how to improve it. Our ‘NH Feeding NH’ program is a statewide initiative designed to support the purchase of NH-grown food that not only feeds our food insecure neighbors but also helps local farmers continue to produce into the future.”
– Eileen Liponis, Executive Director