Mercy in Action Stories

Empowering Families

A story of survival and success

When Kaitlyn and her family were living at the House of the Good Shepherd, she received a letter that would change her life. “I...

Immediate Needs

“Here I am. How can I help?”

“Our dinner guest looked into my eyes and reminded me who she was — the face of Christ in our downtown Chicago headquarters —...

Empowering Mothers and Families

Finding strength as a new parent

Photo by Kathleen Hinkel/Doula Keiona Johnson accompanies new moms during pregnancy and the early months of parenting. Dominica* was 30 weeks pregnant when she discovered the doula...

Empowering Seniors

A life shaped by service

Shariff’s mother was a single mom of three children in Waukegan while he was growing up, he says. Their family relied on Catholic Charities...

Immediate Needs

Seeing and serving those in need

Abby’s experiences as a volunteer with the Sister Joyce Dura, O.S.F., Supper Program have transformed her outlook on people who come to Catholic Charities...

Empowering Veterans

Veteran discovers new lease on life

The day after Edmund Flowers graduated from Harper High School in Englewood on Chicago’s south side in 1979, he enlisted with the U.S. Marines...

Immediate Needs

Curbside Pantry launches in Park Forest

Seventy-nine-year-old Joseph doesn’t have a car and struggles to walk, but he makes it a priority to visit the new Catholic Charities Curbside Pantry...