Mercy in Action Stories

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...

Voice of Charity

Be the light of hope for someone in need

When Cecilia* and her young son escaped the fear and trauma of domestic violence last year, she found a welcoming community in Catholic Charities’...

Voice of Charity

We’re making sure people aren’t going hungry

When I started working at Catholic Charities, I realized I was in the right place at the right time. I discovered helping people is...

Voice of Charity

Celebration of Giving keeps gift-giving alive 

Ten years ago, when I was a caseworker in refugee resettlement, I was asked to deliver bags and bags of toys that were generously...

Empowering Mothers and Families

‘The babies are back’ 

“It’s coming home,” Julie McGue said when she attended the annual Homecoming Mass and Reunion for adoptees from the former St. Vincent Orphanage —...

Immediate Needs

Visions of My Life: 2025 Photo Exhibit

St. Vincent Hall at Catholic Charities was abuzz Oct. 3, 2025, as 20 artists shared the stories behind their photos with more than 70...